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Germany - Argus Aircraft |
Argus Fernfuer
The Argus Fernfeuer (Long-Range Fire) concept was proposed in 1939 as a drone for mine-laying. Later roles were planned for bombing, the dropping of torpedoes and long-range reconnaissance. Development was halted in 1941 but the project, also known as Erfurt, evolved into the V1.
Arising from the Argus As 292 project, the Argus Fernfeuer was also designed by Fritz Gosslau. During the testing of the small As 292 drone, Gosslau proposed an aircraft-sized weapon capable of delivering a one tonne drop charge over long distances. Control was either by line-of-sight radio control or by radio beam direction. A manned aircraft, flying clear of local defenses, would signal the release the pay-load. The Fernfeuer aircraft would then return to base.
Guidance expertise would have been from C. Lorenz; airframe advice and construction by Arado. A manned variant, intended as a command aircraft, was also included in the proposal.
Presented to Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) on November 9, 1939. Despite initial interest in the Fernfeuer concept, the RLM informed Gosslau and the Argus company that the project was to be shelved. Development abandoned by January 1941 in favor of the V-1 flying bomb.
Arising from the Argus As 292 project, the Argus Fernfeuer was also designed by Fritz Gosslau. During the testing of the small As 292 drone, Gosslau proposed an aircraft-sized weapon capable of delivering a one tonne drop charge over long distances. Control was either by line-of-sight radio control or by radio beam direction. A manned aircraft, flying clear of local defenses, would signal the release the pay-load. The Fernfeuer aircraft would then return to base.
Guidance expertise would have been from C. Lorenz; airframe advice and construction by Arado. A manned variant, intended as a command aircraft, was also included in the proposal.
Presented to Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) on November 9, 1939. Despite initial interest in the Fernfeuer concept, the RLM informed Gosslau and the Argus company that the project was to be shelved. Development abandoned by January 1941 in favor of the V-1 flying bomb.
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