Ryan Model 329 Spirit

[Stargazer]

There is a cool-looking but totally unknown design in the Flickr set... A pusher RPV with twin-booms and an inverted V-shaped tail.

(Model 329 Spirit — Thanks a lot, Robunos!)

 

[robunos]

Star, according to 'Fireflies and Other UAVs', pp. 134-136,
your 'unknown UAV' is the model 329 'Spirit' HALE UAV.
More later...


cheers,
Robin.

 

[robunos]

Okay, as promised, here's some more info from
'Fireflies and Other UAVs'.

Model 329 'Spirit' :-
Program commenced in 1985, as a company-sponsored HALE system.
potential missions included comms relay, ELINT, sonobouy monitoring
for ASW, and long range weather monitoring. Growth versions were
envisaged for over-the horizon targeting and cruise missile early
warning and tracking.
Span was to be 85' with an aspect ratio of 30. The fuselage was to be
40' long, depending on payload, and height, 14'.
Cruise altitude was to be 50,000' with a 300lb payload. Gross weight was
to be 4,500lbs, and empty weight 2,500lbs approx.
Time on station was expected to be 80 hours.
Construction was to be primarily of graphite epoxy, with Kevlar in the
wing, and secondary structure of glass fibre.
Construction of the prototype was to be performed by Scaled Composites.
For initial flights the aircraft was to be fitted with a cockpit and piloted,
see below, this later being replaced with a payload.
Propulsion was to be a liquid-cooled six-cylinder Teledyne Continental
engine of 155-160 hp, essentially a six-cylinder version of the Rutan Voyager's
rear engine.
Navigational equipment studied included GPS-updated INS, and TRA's own
system.
Interest was shown in the model 329 by several branches of the Military,
however funding was not forthcoming. Part of the reason for this was
the non-existence of a suitable mission payload, meaning that further funds
would for development of this, in addition to the airframe.
Therefore, development did not proceed.
Images below :-
A model of the model 329 'Spirit', with a cockpit for initial flight tests,
A diagram showing the flight profile of the model 258 Firebrand, and
a diagram showing the performance envelopes of the various Ryan targets.


Star, are these what you need ?? ;D


cheers,
Robin.

 

[dan_inbox]

The SDASM has just posted a whole raft of Teledyne Ryan photos on Flickr.
View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34176816841/in/dateposted/

 

[fightingirish]

Here some pictures of model showing Model 329 with an Naval Air Development Center (NADC) logo on the fuselage. IMHO a precursor to the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton.
But I can't say, if under the silver part houses a cockpit or a satellite dish.
Sources at SDASM Archives:
[Links will follow later ]