AQM-60 Kingfisher

The AQM-60 Kingfisher, developed by Lockheed Martin, was a target version of the USAF's X-7 test aircraft. The X-7's development began in 1946 after a request from the USAF for a mach-3 unmanned test vehicle. This unmanned test craft eventually evolved into the Kingfisher when the need evolved for a target to test the anti-missile systems, the SAM-A-7/MIM-3 Nike Ajax, SAM-A-25/MIM-14 Nike Hercules, and IM-99/CIM-10. Unfortunately for the tests the Kingfisher proved a bit too precise, managing to evade the vast majority of the anti-missile systems and only being shot down a few times during the tests. This, coupled with political fall-out from the program, led to the eventual discontinuation of production in 1959 and the cancellation of the project in the mid 1960s.

Specifications

Sources

* Directory of US Military Rockets and Missiles
* http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-60.html