Nord CT41
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1957 |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Aircraft, including the Nord CT.41 Narwhal target drone |
The Nord CT.41 Narwhal was a French-developed target drone created by Nord Aviation during the late 1950s to assist in training for the interception of supersonic bomber aircraft.
Design and development
Initiated in 1957, the design incorporated a canard configuration, featuring a short, straight wing positioned mid-fuselage and ramjet engines mounted at the wingtips. Launching utilized an inclined ramp along with two solid-fuel rocket boosters to provide initial acceleration; the ramjets activated once reaching Mach 1.7. The drone operated under command guidance and could be fitted with electronic countermeasures and flares to enhance its visibility as a target. Two models were produced: the CT.41A intended for high-altitude missions and the CT.41B designed for low-altitude training scenarios. If not destroyed during use, recovery was achieved by deploying parachutes.
Operational history
Flight testing commenced around 1959, resulting in the manufacture of 62 units primarily for the French Air Force. Despite its advanced design, the drone’s speed was considered excessive for practical interceptor pilot training, limiting its operational duration. In November 1960, Hawker Siddeley secured a license to produce the aircraft. The United States Navy acquired six units through Bell Aircraft, which also obtained production rights; these were designated as PQM-56A in 1962 and were phased out by the early 1970s.