Nikitin PSN

Purpose: A series of air-launched experimental gliders intended to lead to air – to-surface missiles.

Design Bureau: Initially OKB-21, later OKB – 30, chief designer N G Mikhel’son, later VV Nikitin.

In 1933 S F Valk proposed the development of a pilotless air-launched glider with an au­topilot, infra-red homing guidance and large warhead for use as a weapon against ships, or other major heat-emitting targets. From 1935 this was developed in four versions which in 1937 were combined into the PSN (from the Russian abbreviation for glider for special purposes). At this stage chief designer was Mikhel’son (see previous entry on MP). The concept was gradually refined into the P SN -1, of which a succession of ten prototypes were launched from early 1937 from under the wings of a TB-3 heavy bomber. By 1939 the to­tally different PSN-2 was also on test. Also designated TOS, these were initially dropped from the TB-3 and later towed behind a TB-7 and possibly other aircraft. In each case the glider was to home on its target at high speed after release from high altitude.

The PSN-1 was a small flying boat, with sta­bilizing floats under the high-mounted wing.

It had a cockpit in the nose, where in the planned series version the warhead would be. In the DPT version the payload was a 533mm (1ft 9in) torpedo hung underneath. Once the basic air vehicle had been perfect­ed the main purpose of flight testing was to develop the Kvant (quantum) infra-red guid­ance. In contrast the PSN-2 was a twin-float seaplane with a slim fuselage, low wing and a large fin at the rear of each float. This again was flown by human pilots to develop Kvant guidance. After release from the parent air­craft the manned gliders made simulated at­
tacks on targets before turning away to alight on the sea. The planned pilotless missiles were intended to be expendable, and thus had no need for provisions for alighting.

Neither ofthe PSN versions made it to pro­duction, these projects being stopped on 19th July 1940. In retrospect they appear to have been potentially formidable.