PTV-N-2 Gorgon IV

The PTV-N-2 Gorgon IV was a subsonic ramjet-powered missile developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company for the United States Navy under Project Gorgon. Work began in May 1945 on an air-to-surface weapon with a ramjet engine and active radar homing, but the end of the war reduced the need for it and the contract continued in 1946 as a propulsion test vehicle, finally designated PTV-N-2. It had mildly swept wings, spoilerons for roll control, a Marquardt XRJ30 ramjet under the rear fuselage and a parachute for recovery from the ocean. Nineteen were produced, and flight tests from July 1947 included a first high-speed flight at about Mach 0.85, said to be the first ramjet-powered winged aircraft to fly successfully in the United States. The remaining vehicles were later used as KDM-1 Plover target drones, and a recovered example is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum.