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HEADING: the first Jindivik to fly was A93-3, seen here in flight over the WRE facility at Woomera from where it was operated. (GAF)
The Hunted One
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The Government Aircraft Factories Jindivik is perhaps the most successful target drone ever produced and is Australia’s only mass-produced locally-designed jet aircraft. The concept of a remotely controlled jet target evolved in 1948 when Australian and British Government officials discussed and formulated specification E7/48 for a “high-speed pilotless target aircraft”. Two piloted prototypes were designed and manufactured by the Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) under the designation “Project C – Pika”. The first Pika made its maiden flight In October 1950. (The GAF Pika was described in December 1980 AADR). The two single-seat Pikas were powered by the Armstrong Siddeley ASA1 Adder turbojet especially designed for the target project. A tentative order for twelve Project B Jindivik Mk 1 pilotless aircraft was initially placed with GAF. Since this first order, the Jindivik has been re-engined and greatly modified and has appeared as Mks 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A before the current 3B version. Close to 500 Jindiviks have taken to the air since the first Mk 1 flew in August 1952, and have served in the United Kingdom, United States, and Sweden, in addition to Australian service with the Weapons Research Establishment and the Royal Australian Navy.
Operation
The Jindivik target drone operates from a normal airstrip. For take-off, the aircraft is mounted on a tricycle trolley with a gyro-steered nosewheel. The aircraft takes off under its own power and is automatically electromechanically released from the trolley at 120 knots. As the aircraft accelerates to 130 kts, the flaps retract and the aircraft adopts a climbing attitude. The trolley is braked to a stop 3000 feet (91O m) from its starting point.
Although Jindivik may be directed from a shepherd aircraft, it is normally controlled from a ground station. The ground station team is led by a skipper who “pilots” the aircraft once it is airborne, and assisted by a navigator who tracks the flight pattern. A pilot beside the strip has control for take-off and landing and is assisted for landing by a batsman positioned at the end of the strip to maintain the correct heading.
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