What happened
As part of a controlled experiment conducted for the Flight Safety Foundation and supported by North American Aviation, an unmanned aircraft was utilized in a high-speed ground impact test. The procedure involved directing the plane into a concrete wall at a velocity of 130 knots.
Upon impact, the airframe sustained catastrophic damage, resulting in the complete destruction of the aircraft. The test was performed without any personnel on board to ensure safety during the high-energy collision.
Findings
Despite the total loss of the airframe, structural analysis of the wreckage revealed that the weapon cylinder located within the cargo compartment remained undamaged throughout the event. This suggests that the specific component possessed sufficient structural integrity to withstand the forces generated by the 130-knot impact.