TEXTILE TOW TARGETS
The TDU-32A/B and TDU-32B/B aerial banner
tow targets (fig. 8-1) are effective low-cost devices for
air-to-air and surface-to-air gunnery training. They are
constructed of nylon fabric and are rectangular in shape.
The TDU-32B/B is laser retroflective, while the
TDU-32A/B is radar reflective.
The TDU-32A/B and TDU-32B/B banner tow
targets have a weighted steel tow bar and bridle
assembly attached to the rectangular fabric panel. There
is a 60-foot safety nylon webbing bridle attached
between the tow bar and tow cable. Both nonradar- and
radar-reflective panels are 7 1/2 feet by 40 feet. For
visual tracking, the panels have a 12-inch orange border
and a 48-inch orange bull’s eye centered on the white
portion
The targets, attached approximately 1,800 feet
behind the tow aircraft, are launched from the runway
by standard drag takeoff procedures. Target recovery is
accomplished by dropping the target in a recovery area
following the mission.
RIGID TOW TARGET
A rigid target is specially designed to simulate
high-speed aircraft in speed and maneuverability. It can
be towed by jet aircraft at speeds within the attacking
range of jet fighters.
The target is aerodynamically
designed to reduce drag and limit the performance of the
tow plane as little as possible. A rigid target can be used
for air-to-air and surface-to-air gunnery and guided
missile training.
The TDU-34/A aerial tow target (fig. 8-2) is a
training device that will replace other tow targets now
in use, with the exception of the banner targets discussed
in this chapter. Its primary purpose is for air-to-air and
surface-to-air missile and gunnery training.
The TDU-34/A is a passive radar target. It can be
adapted to carry other payloads internally. It consists of
a reinforced aluminum tube body, four aluminum fins,
a steel towline adapter, and radar-reflective nose and tail
sections. The nose is a thin, fiber glass shell with four
aluminum corner reflectors and a lead ballast weight
bonded inside. The tail section is a short ABS plastic
tube with a single aluminum comer reflector riveted
inside. The dimensions and weight of the target are
shown in figure 8-2.
The TDU-34/A can be towed by any aircraft capable
of using the A/A47U-3 or A/A47U-4 reeling
machine-launcher systems.
REVIEW NUMBER 1
Q1. What are the two basic classes of tow targets?
Q2. Textile targets are made of __________________.
Q3. What type of target is an auxiliary aid for the
radar fire control system in the attacking
aircraft?
Q4. List the textile targets that are effective low-cost
devices for air-to-air and surface-to-air gunnery
training.
Figure 8-1.—Characteristics of the TDU-32A/B and TDU-32B/B aerial banner tow target.
8-2
