Teledyne Ryan Model 262 'Manta Ray' (STAR)

[Boxman]

Just posted by the San Diego Air & Space Museum at YouTube, test footage of the Teledyne Ryan Model 262 Manta Ray. The Model 262 was conceived for the US Navy's Ship Tactical Airborne RPV (STAR) program in the 1970s (hence the "Ryan STAR UAV Test" title at YouTube.) The Model 262 was powered by a McCulloch MC-101 25-h.p. chainsaw engine. This silent footage consists primarily of the launching of the Manta Ray and its recovery via an automatic net recovery system (circa 1976-1977).

Here's more on the program:
Teledyne-Ryan Model 262 Manta Ray - Designation-Systems.net

Here's the film:

 

[Stargazer]

Wow. As in WOW.

I've always been fascinated by this rather secret program, and seeing this footage is just amazing.

One thing that I found particularly striking (and unexpected) is how much the 262 resembles the alleged TR-3A Manta mentioned in various magazines circa-1989-1990. Hold on! Manta and Manta Ray are pretty close names... and the "TR" bit in TR-3A... could it be synonymous with "Teledyne Ryan"?

This realization makes me wonder if the would-be TR-3A could simply be this UAV prototype, seen from a distance by some and misinterpreted as a triangular stealth aircraft... Or alternately, if the Manta Ray, with its highly unusual shape and characteristics, might have been a subscale demonstrator/POC vehicle for something bigger, a TR-3A Manta that did or did not make it to full-scale prototype status?

The one element that could ruin that logic is the fact that Manta Ray was a US Navy program, while the alleged Manta was US Air Force.

Additionally, I'm enclosing a comparison of XST proposals by Teledyne Ryan and three photos of the Manta Ray. There is also an interesting commonality in general layout.

 

[Boxman]

Among the most recent gems posted by the San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) Archives on their Flickr site, a color photo of the Teledyne Ryan Model 262 Manta Ray. Well, make that three Manta Rays...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/6691150107/in/photostream

EDIT: Another:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/6691140331/in/photostream

 

[Stargazer]

What a fantastic set they've posted! Thanks a lot for the tip.

 

[Stargazer]

Topic split. Four more pictures have just appeared in the SDASM's online Ryan Aeronautical Photo Collection (last pic is NOT the Model 262 but was mentioned earlier in this topic):

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

I reposted last pic in correct topic (https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...l-268-xst-ryans-stealth-uavs.7018/post-220897)

 

[Boxman]

Ryan Model 262 Manta Ray (STAR) footage just posted today at the San Diego Air & Space Museum's (SDASM) YouTube Channel:
F 1642 Ryan Aeronautical Flights of scale model (mini RPV) 3/29/74 Manta Ray

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M_JuYo7ymQ



F 1635 Ryan Aeronautical Mini RPV El centro, ca flt #3 navy ground com 9/76

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW4urVv3HQg



F 1630 Ryan Aeronautical MIni RPV STARS Flight Model 262 Manta Ray

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqirdB37dKg



These are some, additional videos are at the SDASM YouTube Channel.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

https://flic.kr/p/U515tF

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34175832981/in/album-72157680435446852/

https://flic.kr/p/TFE4ZL

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33922966210/in/album-72157680435446852/

https://flic.kr/p/TFEoC7

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33923028870/in/album-72157680435446852/

https://flic.kr/p/UgCaVZ

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34307356815/in/album-72157680435446852/

https://flic.kr/p/T34UWZ

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33497591613/in/album-72157680435446852/

https://flic.kr/p/Ud4bz9

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34266970786/in/album-72157680435446852/

https://flic.kr/p/UgDznM

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34307630795/in/album-72157680435446852/

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Really, loads of these

https://flic.kr/p/TFGPeY

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33923501910/in/album-72157680435446852/

https://flic.kr/p/Ud4eSw

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34266981886/in/album-72157680435446852/

https://flic.kr/p/T388Qi

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33498220293/in/album-72157680435446852/

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

2 Manta Rays on an A-7?

 

[Boxman]

Looks like the Ryan Model 262 STAR "Manta Ray" had a seeming twin in the Ryan Model 267 (a.k.a. "GOI Mini Drone" or "GO1 Mini RPV")

These are images from the most recent San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) Archives posting on Flickr, as part of the Robert Hersey Collection.

Robert Hersey Collection SC.20069

Robert Hersey worked on the Ryan Firebee Drone.

www.flickr.com

Hersey is described as "Robert Hersey worked on the Ryan Firebee Drone."

https://flic.kr/p/2fgEwRi

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/47434952771/

https://flic.kr/p/T8u5rh

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33558888698/

This would also seem to belong, albeit not part of the Hersey Collection:
Ryan Model 267-C

https://flic.kr/p/2fgExSM

View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/47434956221/

 

[hesham]

Nice find Boxman.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

GOI? Government Of India? Government of Iran? Government of Israel?

 

[Boxman]

GOI? Government Of India? Government of Iran? Government of Israel?

Based on the Ryan project list (https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1680.30), which lists the Ryan Model 267 as "GO1 Mini RPV," the "I" in "GOI" listed on the Model 267's Program Status Report is almost certainly a Roman numeral "1". As for what "GO1" or "GOI" represents? I haven't any idea as yet.

 

[Silencer1]

Looks, like the "GOI" has been more valuable customer, then USAF and USN, combined - according the contract value of $ 3 mln.!

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

According to Aviation Week it was Ship-Deployable Tactical Airborne RPV (STAR)

Source: AWST 31 Jan 1977 P.181

 

[Apophenia]

Looks, like the "GOI" has been more valuable customer...

In most US procurement documents, GOI stands for Government Of something starting with I ... so, Israel, Iran, Italy, etc.

So, this seems like an export variant. Or does anyone have an alternative acronym explanation?

 

[Scott Kenny]

In most US procurement documents, GOI stands for Government Of something starting with I ... so, Israel, Iran, Italy, etc.

So, this seems like an export variant. Or does anyone have an alternative acronym explanation?

If that is an "i", my money would be on Israel or Iran for the mid 70s.

if it's a "1", I have no clue.

 

[Silencer1]

If that is an "i", my money would be on Israel or Iran for the mid 70s.

If it was "I for Iran", we could assume the origins of "Shahed-136". Just my humble opinion, based on the slight similarity of wing outlines... Although, Iran spend a lot of efforts in modification of previously imported US military aircraft and any previously available information of such technology could be used for such works.

 

[KF99]

Looks very nice. I’d like to make an EDF RC scale model, it should be very fun to fly. Are there any 3 view plans and dimensions?

 

[Stargazer]

If it was "I for Iran", we could assume the origins of "Shahed-136". Just my humble opinion, based on the slight similarity of wing outlines... Although, Iran spend a lot of efforts in modification of previously imported US military aircraft and any previously available information of such technology could be used for such works.

I tend to agree with your opinion that Iran was the customer, given some specific design similarities with the Shahed-136.

 

[Archibald]

Dang. So the goddamn thing raining death on Ukraine (and Red Sea ships, btw) would actually be a 50 years old design - from the days of the Shah ? there are so many ironies if that the case...!

 

[flateric]

I don't see much of commonality in design except delta wing actually.

 

[Stargazer]

I don't see much of commonality in design except delta wing actually.

You are totally right. I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that!

I hope this hasn't been discussed elsewhere before, bu looking at the dozens of photos of the Manta Ray shared by the SDASM in 2017-2018 from the Teledyne Ryan archives, and in the light of recent discussions, I'm beginning to question my initial interpretation of the "Model 272" mention by Jane's (see attachment). I thought it was a typo at first, but the photos clearly show differences in size. The yellow test vehicles are smaller and more crude, while the models shown under construction in the workshops are larger. The Ryan list of models gave the Model 272 as a "USAF Harrassment Vehicle", which is compatible with the Manta Ray of course. And since the Jane's item mentioned "a number of "AMR Ryan-Benson test vehicles", I'm strongly tempted to consider that both Model 262 and 272 existed, the former being the test vehicles, and the latter the final version for USAF evaluation. This seems to be confirmed further in the article, which talks of "the full-size Model 272".

Jane's also confirms the hunch of several here that the "GOI" abbreviation linked to the Model 267/C variant meant "Government of Israel". Indeed, it says there that "Ryan was reported in the Spring of 1975 to have received other orders from the US Air Force and from Israel."

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

"Harrassment Vehicle RPV" - https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/us-german-harassment-drone-locust-dar-designs.29312/

 

[quellish]

The yellow test vehicles are smaller and more crude

Those were proof of concept models made by Benson for Ryan

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/amr-helicopters-and-projects.19933/#post-551723

 

[Archibald]

You are totally right. I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that!

I hope this hasn't been discussed elsewhere before, bu looking at the dozens of photos of the Manta Ray shared by the SDASM in 2017-2018 from the Teledyne Ryan archives, and in the light of recent discussions, I'm beginning to question my initial interpretation of the "Model 272" mention by Jane's (see attachment). I thought it was a typo at first, but the photos clearly show differences in size. The yellow test vehicles are smaller and more crude, while the models shown under construction in the workshops are larger. The Ryan list of models gave the Model 272 as a "USAF Harrassment Vehicle", which is compatible with the Manta Ray of course. And since the Jane's item mentioned "a number of "AMR Ryan-Benson test vehicles", I'm strongly tempted to consider that both Model 262 and 272 existed, the former being the test vehicles, and the latter the final version for USAF evaluation. This seems to be confirmed further in the article, which talks of "the full-size Model 272".

Jane's also confirms the hunch of several here that the "GOI" abbreviation linked to the Model 267/C variant meant "Government of Israel". Indeed, it says there that "Ryan was reported in the Spring of 1975 to have received other orders from the US Air Force and from Israel."

What is interesting is that circa 1972, Israel went to President Nixon and asked for the mothballed AQM-91 COMPASS ARROW, from the same Teledyne Ryan. Nixon did not wanted to hear about it and ordered the drones destroyed.

 

[Stargazer]

Those were proof of concept models made by Benson for Ryan

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/amr-helicopters-and-projects.19933/#post-551723

Yeah, I just checked my page on Benson-Ball/AMR/AMS and it was all there (that's ageing for you!)
Here is what I wrote a few years ago:

• RPV-004 RPV used as a systems testbed in several programmes, including feasibility studies for Teledyne Ryan Model 262 and in presentations to the U. S. Army and U. S. Navy.
• RPV-007 Designed, built and flown for Teledyne Ryan as half-scale testbed for Model 262. Powered by small (later more powerful) K & B engine, mounted dorsally and driving four-blade Benson Rotorduct ducted propeller.

Perhaps Ryan also gave these their own inhouse designators? If they didn't, then I have no explanation for the Model 262/272 confusion (unless my first hunch was right and it was a typo from Jane's).

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

What issue of Jane's was the Model 272 info in?

 

[Stargazer]

What issue of Jane's was the Model 272 info in?

I don't have the exact date, but since it mentions contracts reported as of Spring 1975, I should think this was the 1976 edition, published late in 1975.

 

[Stargazer]

Lo and behold... we had the answer (or at least some of it) right before our nose on the SDASM website.
The small yellow test plane are designated Model 256 Mini RPV in the photos' details, and in the Ryan models list, that number does appear indeed as "Mini RPV demonstrator, unsolicited proposal." According to the site, the test were conducted at Kearney Mesa, near Miramar, and Chula Vista.
I really wonder why none of us ever noticed that before!
So the chronology goes as follows:

• RPV-004 (AMR / Ryan)
• RPV-007 (AMR / Ryan)
• Model 256 Mini RPV (2/3 scale version)
• Model 262 Manta Ray (S.T.A.R.) (production version)
• Model 267 Manta Ray (Israeli export version)
• Model 268 RPAODS (U.S. Army derivative)

It would seem, therefore, that the "Model 272" designation quoted by Jane's may have been erroneous.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

So, 1975-1976 has Model 272 but 1976-1977 and 1977-1978 have Model 262.



So I think that confirms the typo/mistake theory. Last entry in 1978-1979 is:

TELEDYNE RYAN MODEL 262

The Model 262 mini-RPV was developed originally for the US Navy as a feasibility demonstration vehicle for the location, identification and targeting of surface vessels. The Model 262 has a wing span of 2.29 m (7 ft 6 in), and, fully fuelled, weighs approx 75 kg (165 lb), depending upon its mission. It is fitted with a hybrid autopilot, employing analogue techniques for the inner control loop and
digital techniques for the outer control loop.

Deployment in many tactical applications, at sea and ashore, would involve launch from a trainable compressed-air rail launcher and net recovery. Teledyne Ryan built three Model 262s under USN contract. During a series of land-based tests the RPV successfully demonstrated automatic 'hands-off net recovery; the contract was completed in mid-1977. The Model 262 is expected to provide a basis for further development of mini-RPVs with very low observable signatures to enhance battlefield survivability.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Regarding the Benson AMR RPVs, Model 272 reoccurs in Kenneth Munson's 1988 book "World Unmanned Aircraft" (also published by Janes.

AERO-MARINE RESEARCH (AMR)
This company, founded by Cdr W. Benson in 1953, designed and flight tested a number of experimental mini-RPVs in the early and mid-1970s, some of them under subcontract to major UMA manufacturers. AMR ceased operating in about 1976-77.

AMR RPV-004
Dating from the late 1960s, the RPV-004 was used as a systems testbed in several programmes, including feasibility studies for the Teledyne Ryan Model 272 mini-RPV, and in presentations to the US Army and US Navy. Of cropped delta planform, with twin overwing fins and aileron/elevon surfaces on the wing trailing edge, it was powered by a small nose-mounted model aircraft engine.
Dimensions and Weights:
Not known Performance:
Max level speed 1x3 knots (209 km/h; 130 mph)
Max rate ofclimb at S/L 366 m (1,200 ft)/min

AMR/RYAN RPV-007
Designed, built and flown for Teledyne Ryan as a half-scale testbed for that company’s Model 272, the RPV-007 was powered initially by a small K & B engine mounted dorsally and driving a four-blade Benson Rotorduct ducted propeller; a more powerful (1.6 kW; 2.2 hp) K & B was fitted later. The overwing fins were relocated further rearward, and differential ailerons were employed instead of the aileron/elevon system of the RPV-004.
Dimension:
Wingspan 1.52 m (5 ft)
Weight:
Max T-O weight 5.4 kg (12 lb)

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Oddly enough though the actual listing under Ryan says Model 262

TELEDYNE RYAN MODEL 262

This ‘stealth’-shaped glassflbre mini-RPV was developed as a feasibility demonstrator for locating, identifying and targeting surface vessels, under the US Navy’s STAR (ship tactical airborne RPV) programme of the mid-1970s. Its delta wing was specially designed to emit very low radar, visual and infra-red signatures, and its ducted propulsion unit for very low noise emission. Three Model 262s were built under USN contract, successfully demonstrating automatic ‘hands-off net recovery during a series of land based tests in 1976—77. The contract programme was completed in mid-1977.

Type: Experimental tactical mini-RPV.

Airframe: Delta-form ‘flying wing’, carefully shaped for low observable signatures. Twin inward canted fins and rudders, just outboard of propeller duct. Construction mainly of glassflbre or other composite materials. Provision for landing gear.

Power Plant: One 18.6 kW (25 hp) McCulloch MC-101 flat-twin engine, driving a four- or five-blade ducted propeller at rear. Engine and fuel tank fully buried within delta wing.

Launch and Recovery: Designed for ship or shore launch from compressed air rail-type launcher; net recovery. Could also be fitted with landing gear for conventional runway T-O and landing.

Guidance and Control: Radio command guidance system, with hybrid autopilot employing analog technique for inner control loop and digital for outer loop.

Mission Equipment: Believed to include Honeywell electro- optical sensors, Raytheon radar, and Naval Research Laboratory EW equipment.

Teledyne Ryan Model 262 glassflbre mini-RPV

Dimension:
Wingspan 2.29 m (7 ft 6 in)

Weight:
Max launching weight approx 75 kg (165 lb)

Performance:
Design endurance up to 8 h

 

[Stargazer]

Oddly enough though the actual listing under Ryan says Model 262

Jane's was kind of the Wikipedia of aircraft back then. Munson probably went to it as his prefered source and didn't take the time to verify. But even Wikipedia has mistakes, and so did Jane's!

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Its even simpler - Munson was Jane's UAV guy.


Still was in 2001 -

 

[TomS]

I tend to agree with your opinion that Iran was the customer, given some specific design similarities with the Shahed-136.

Shahed-136 is an enlargement of the Shahed-131, which in turn is possibly derived from the South African ARD-10. Designs for the ARD-10 were reportedly sold to Iran in the early 2000s. Interestingly, in the late 1980s, ARD-10 was apparently also the genesis of the IAI Harpy, which Israel sold to China Turkey, Azerbaijan, and some other countries in the 1990s. So there are a couple of different ways it might have made its way to Iran.

Shahed 131 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sorry for the digression.

Slightly more on-topic, the STAR RPV was a staple of some 1970s "advanced marine vehicle" designs. For example, the HYD-7 hydrofoil escort was supposed to carry as many as a dozen RPVs like this.

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/1300-ton-destroyer-escort-hydrofoil-deh.6969/post-356214

 

[Scott Kenny]

I could definitely see a lot of ships in the USN getting the equipment for launching and recovering a STAR drone stuffed into their hangars... Over and above the RQ-2 Pioneers the Iowas used for gunfire spotting.

 

[Stargazer]

In case it hasn't been shared before, there is a very interesting study by Teledyne Ryan done in 1976 for the U.S. Army (after the Lockheed "Aquila" was chosen over other designs by TRA, Philco-Ford, etc.) and pertaining to the question of Mini-RPVs, especially focusing on the various possible configurations and methods for recovery.
It can be found online in two places, but I'll attach it here nevertheless, just in case:

• https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA046177.pdf
• https://archive.org/details/DTIC_ADA046177

 

[Stargazer]

Also, here's about the Manta Ray from the section on "Mini-Drones" from Bill Wagner's book "Fireflies and other UAVs" (Aerofax, 1992). As Wagner was with Ryan for decades and their top author/researcher, there can be no doubt about the Model 262 designator. It's too bad the earlier Mini-RPV/Low RCS RPV attempts were still secret at the time of the book.