Aviolanda AT-21

Lore & Background

Developed in 1955, the AT-21 was of conventional aircraft design, with a high-mounted, constant-chord monoplane wing and a twin tail empennage. Power was provided by a SNECMA AS-11 Ecrevisse pulsejet, mounted in a fairing underneath the aircraft's fuselage; the construction of the airframe made extensive use of plastic in the nose and tail, with the center-section being of metal construction, and the wings and tail were made of foam-filled plastic with metal stabilizers and rudders.

Launch was by JATO-type booster rockets from a zero-length launch ramp; a trolley for conventional takeoff from a runway was also available. Control was by radio commands from a remote guidance station, set up like an aircraft cockpit; if radio contact was lost, the parachute recovery system would automatically deploy. The parachutes could also be manually released at the end of a mission; the wing and tail would be separated by explosive bolts upon landing to simplify recovery and reduce the risk of damage during the process. Endurance was up to one hour, and it was possible to fit a payload of cameras for aerial reconnaissance duties.

The first flight of the AT-21 took place in late 1955. The first Dutch drone to successfully complete development, it entered service with the Royal Dutch Navy. Production of the AT-21 continued through 1958.

Reader's Guide

The Aviolanda AT-21 holds significance as the Netherlands' first successfully developed drone, marking a milestone in Dutch unmanned aviation. Its pulsejet propulsion, derived from the SNECMA AS-11 Ecrevisse, was a distinctive choice for a target drone of the era. The aircraft's design incorporated extensive use of plastics in the nose, tail, wings, and tail surfaces, with metal used in the center-section and stabilizers, reflecting mid-1950s material experimentation. Its operational flexibility was enhanced by two launch methods—JATO booster rockets from a zero-length ramp or a trolley for conventional runway takeoff—and a parachute recovery system that could deploy automatically on loss of radio contact or manually at mission end. Explosive bolts separated the wing and tail upon landing to ease recovery and reduce damage risk. The AT-21 entered service with the Royal Dutch Navy, and its production run lasted through 1958. The ability to carry a camera payload for reconnaissance duties added secondary utility beyond its primary target role. Its limited use in the late 1950s and early 1960s underscores its niche but foundational place in Dutch drone development.

Did You Know?

• The AT-21 was the Netherlands' first drone to be successfully developed.
• It was powered by a SNECMA AS-11 Ecrevisse pulsejet engine mounted under the fuselage.
• The airframe used plastic in the nose and tail, with foam-filled plastic wings and tail.