Nikitin PSN-1

PSN-1
Role	Research aircraft Type of aircraft
National origin	USSR
Designer	Vasilii Vasilyevich Nikitin & N.G. Mikhelson^[1]
Number built	10

The Nikitin PSN-1 was a piloted glider anti-shipping missile produced in the USSR from 1937.^[1]

Development

From 1933 a series of special projects was initiated under the PSN banner (Planer Spetsial'nogo Naznachenaya - Glider for Special Purposes). A proposal was made by S.F. Valk for a glider anti-shipping bomb with Infra-Red guidance, which was expanded to include DPT (long-range glider torpedo), LTDD (Long-range flying torpedo) and BMP (towed mine glider). To evaluate the Kvant Infra-Red guidance a piloted version was produced as the Nikitin PSN-1. Nikitin and Mikhelson designed a small single-seat monoplane flying boat glider with floats at approx 1/2 span, carrying a torpedo underneath. The PSN-1 was carried aloft by either Tupolev TB-3 or Tupolev TB-7 motherships and released at the appropriate height.^[1]

At least 10 were built and many of these were flown during trials of the autopilot and the Kvant (Quantum) guidance system.^[1]

Specifications (PSN-1)

Data from Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995^[1]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Wingspan: 18 m (26 ft 3 in)
Empty weight: 970 kg (2,138 lb)
Gross weight: 2,000 kg (4,409 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × MG-11F

Performance

Maximum speed: 168 km/h (104 mph, 90 kn)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995 (1st ed.). London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.