JB-2 LOON

Republic-Ford JB-2 Loon is an American flying bomb, which is actually a copy of the German V-1 (Fiesler Fi 103). The only significant difference was in two elements. The American flying bomb was powered by a PJ31-F-1 pulse engine, instead of a rocket engine, and had a more sophisticated guidance system. JB-2 aroused great interest in the USAAF and US Navy. The USAAF originally ordered as many as 12,000 missiles to be used against Japan. However, after its capitulation, the order was limited to 1,500 pieces. The manufactured versions were tested as part of the cruise missile program. Some of the JB-2s were carried by the B-17s. Also, the US Navy, after the initial "fascination", withdrew from the project and ended testing with this weapon in 1950. The use of JB-2 axes from submarines proved viable, but in the end the Regulus missiles were used for this purpose. Technical data: length: 8.26 m, wingspan: 5.38 m, maximum speed: 700 km / h, maximum range: 240 km, head weighing up to 910 kg.