Years In Service: 1958-1978
Initial Flight: August 1958
The McDonnell ADM-20 Quail was a subsonic, jet-powered, air-launched decoy cruise missile built by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. The ADM-20 would be used during an actual bombing attack to confuse the enemy’s defensive radar network. The ADM-20 was a relatively effective decoy against 1960s technology radars. However, in a USAF test in 1972, the Air Force radar operators correctly identified the decoys in 21 out of 23 cases. Because the Quail was no longer a useful decoy, the Air Force began its phase-out, and in 1978 the last ADM-20C had left the USAF inventory
Aircraft Specifications
Height: 3′ 3″ Wingspan: 5′ 4″ Length: 12′ 9″ Crew: 2 Powerplant: General Electric J85-GE-3 Turbojet Thrust: 2,450 lbs. No. of Engines: 1 Max Speed: 650 mph Ceiling: 50,000 ft.