Piper LBP
LBP-1 | |
---|---|
Role | Glide bomb |
Manufacturer | Piper Aircraft |
Primary user | United States Navy |
The Piper LBP was a glide bomb, or "Glomb", developed by Piper Aircraft for the United States Navy during World War II. Developed as one of three "Glomb" aircraft, the inherent limitations of the Glomb and the technology of the time, combined with difficulties encountered in testing of the prototype, led to the production contract for the LBP-1 being reduced, then cancelled, with none of the Glomb aircraft ever seeing operational service.
Design and development
During late 1940, a proposal was made to the United States Navy outlining a concept called "Glomb", for "glider bomb". The Glomb concept called for the construction of inexpensive
Initial trials of Glomb involved conversions of existing gliders to remotely controlled status; these tests showed that the concept had promise and following a design competition, three companies were awarded contracts to develop operational "Glomb" aircraft. These contracts were given to
Operational history
Although the initial contract awarded by the Navy called for the production of 100 LBP-1 Glombs, continued trials of the concept indicated that the glider's inherent low performance, combined with technical issues with the television guidance system, made the concept operationally unworkable. As a result, the LBP-1 production contract was reduced to only 35 aircraft in early 1945.[1] In June of that year, the LBP-1 program was terminated, the aircraft having been determined to have dangerous characteristics when attempting landing at loaded weights.[3]
Specifications (LBP-1)
Data from [4]
General characteristics
- Crew: One (optional)
- Length: 28 ft 9 in (8.76 m)
- Wingspan: 33 ft (10 m)
- Wing area: 173 sq ft (16.1 m2)
- Gross weight: 6,900 lb (3,130 kg)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 300 mph (480 km/h, 260 kn) in dive
Armament
- Bombs: 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg)
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
Citations
Bibliography
- "Pilotless Aircraft" (PDF). Naval Aviation News. Bureau of Aeronautics. January 1946. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- Baugher, Joe (September 9, 2009). "US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos, Third Series (80259 to 90019)". US Navy and US Marine Corps Aircraft Serial Numbers and Bureau Numbers--1911 to Present. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ASIN B0007E4WJE. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ISBN 978-0-87021-735-7. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
- Parsch, Andreas (2003). "LB Series". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2011-01-29.