NAMU KDN Gorgon

Lore & Background

The KDN Gorgon was a development of the Gorgon IIIB missile, designed in 1943 by the U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics for use against heavy bomber aircraft and ground targets using optical guidance. The Gorgon IIIB was cancelled due to its engine proving unsatisfactory; however, a version simplified for use as a target drone was developed starting in November 1944. Built by the Navy's Naval Aircraft Modification Unit, located in the former Brewster Aeronautical Corporation factory in Johnsville, Pennsylvania, the TD2N-1 was of conventional design, with a monoplane wing and twin-tail configuration. To reduce cost and pressure on strategic materials, it was constructed primarily of wood with some portions of the fuselage being fabric-covered. The aircraft was powered by a Westinghouse 9.5 – later redesignated J32 – turbojet engine mounted beneath the airframe. The drone was controlled by a combination of preset navigation and radio command guidance, and was equipped with a parachute recovery system to allow the aircraft to be reused if it was not shot down.

The first drop tests of the TD2N-1 took place in June 1945; on 27 June, the first powered flight was attempted, but the aircraft crashed following a failure of the radio command system. On 17 August, the TD2N-1 completed its first successful powered flight. Testing at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst continued following the end of World War II; in early 1946, the aircraft was redesignated KDN-1 as the Navy rationalized its designation system, however in March of that year the program was cancelled because of continuing development issues with the Westinghouse engine.

Reader's Guide

The KDN Gorgon represents an early attempt by the United States Navy to field a jet-powered target drone, emerging from the wartime Gorgon missile program. Its development highlighted the challenges of early turbojet technology, as engine problems plagued both the original Gorgon IIIB missile and the subsequent drone variant. The aircraft's construction from wood and fabric, driven by wartime material shortages, and its parachute recovery system reflected a pragmatic approach to cost and reuse. Although cancelled in 1946, the KDN-1 contributed to the Navy's experience with radio-controlled aircraft and jet propulsion. One surviving example, donated to the National Air and Space Museum in 1965, remains in storage awaiting restoration, preserving a tangible link to this early phase of unmanned aviation.

Did You Know?

• The KDN Gorgon was originally designated TD2N before being redesignated KDN-1 in 1946.
• It was built primarily of wood with some fabric-covered fuselage sections to save strategic materials.
• The drone was equipped with a parachute recovery system for potential reuse.
• Only one KDN-1 survives, held by the National Air and Space Museum since 1965.