Nord CT41

The Nord CT.41 Narwhal was a French target drone developed by Nord Aviation from 1957 to train pilots in intercepting supersonic bombers. It had a canard layout with a short straight mid-fuselage wing and a ramjet at each wingtip. It was launched from an elevating ramp using two solid rocket boosters, and the ramjets lit at Mach 1.7. It was command guided, could carry electronic enhancers and flares to enlarge its signature, and was recovered by parachute if not shot down. Test flights began in 1959 and the French Air Force received 62, but they were retired after a short life because they were too fast for useful interceptor training. Hawker Siddeley took a manufacturing licence and the type became the PQM-56A in United States Navy use.