The Radioplane RP-71 (US Army designation SD-1) was an American photo surveillance drone developed by the US Army Signal Corps as a short-range battlefield surveillance device during the 1950's, and was able to be fitted with still and cine cameras. The Radioplane RP-71 was launched from a zero-length launcher and controlled remotely by radio and traced by radar. The Radioplane RP-71 was powered by a McCulloch O-100-1 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine providing a top speed of 294 kmh and a flying time of 40 minutes. Upon mission completion, the Radioplane RP-71 released a parachute and floated to earth. Research Radioplane RP-71
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Abbreviations
Research Radioplane RP-71
