Naval Research LabFlyrt

TheFlyrt (Flying Radar Target) was an experimental ship-launched expendable radar decoy, which was built and tested by theNaval Research Laboratory in the 1990s. The first test flight of aFlyrt occurred in September 1993.

Photo: NRL

Flyrt

TheFlyrt was launched with folded wings and tail surfaces from a MK 36 launcher with the help of a solid-propellantrocket motor, which burned for about 1.6 seconds. Immediately after leaving the launcher, the tail fins were unfolded to control thevehicle during ascent. After the booster had been jettisoned, the UAV coasted to the apogee of the launch trajectory, where the wingswere unfolded and the electric motor started. TheFlyrt's mission payload was an active RF repeater consisting of two pop-outantennae (receiver and re-transmitter). The vehicle was not recoverable.

Photos: U.S. Navy

Flyrt

A total of 13Flyrt drones were built before the program ended, and the decoy successfully demonstrated the defenseof a variety of ships against simulated radar threats.

Specifications

Data forFlyrt:

Main Sources

[1] Kenneth Munson (ed.): "Jane's Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, Issue 15", Jane's, 2000

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