COMPASS ARROW
The Ryan-built Firefly Model 154 COMPASS ARROW, first of the second generation of UAVs, was designed for high-altitude, low-detectability reconnaissance. It flew at 78,000 feet and incorporated many early 'stealth' techniques. It could fly a 2000-mile mission, self-navigated by a Doppler Inertial guidance system and on-board computer. Twenty eight were produced, but after the rapprochement with China in the early 1970s which ended aerial overflight reconnaissance, they did not become operational.
Sources and Methods
http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/compass_arrow.htm
Created by John Pike
Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Updated Tuesday, November 11, 1997 8:49:20 AM
