Design and Development

ar 381-20,Design and DevelopmentThe Ar 381-20, a product of the German aircraft manufacturer Arado, was a peculiar creation born out of the desperation of the waning German war effort. This rocket-powered fighter aircraft, designed in the summer of 1944, was a testament to the ingenuity and desperation of the era. It was intended to be a companion to the Ar 234 C-3 jet bomber, serving as a fighter to protect the bomber from enemy aircraft.The Ar 381-20 was not designed to take off independently. Instead, it was to be attached to the underside of the Ar 234 C-3, carried into the air, and then released. This unique design required the pilot to adopt a prone position within the fighter, a constraint that would have been both uncomfortable and challenging.

The Ar 381-20 featured a constant chord and thickness wing with circular wingtips. The main wing was equipped with auxiliary flaps for landing. Stability was enhanced with two vertical tails and a rudder. Initially, the design called for the installation of RZ65 air-to-air rockets, intended to intercept Allied bomber formations. However, by 1945, this proposal was canceled, and instead, a 30mm MK 108 cannon was mounted above the pilot’s cockpit, with 45 rounds of ammunition.

Operation and Performance

The Ar 381-20 was designed to operate at high altitudes, with the Ar 234 C-3 climbing to 19,685 feet in approximately eight minutes. Once at altitude, the Ar 381-20 would be released, and the pilot would engage the rocket engine, HWK 509 B-1, to accelerate to speeds of around 560 miles per hour. The high-speed approach allowed the pilot to close in on the target, ensuring a higher likelihood of successful hits.After completing the mission, the pilot had two options for landing. The first was to use a retractable skid mounted under the aircraft’s belly, which would deploy a parachute upon landing to slow the descent. The second option was to parachute out of the aircraft if it was damaged by enemy fire.

The Ar 381-20 was equipped with thick armor and a small size, making it less susceptible to enemy fire. Despite its unconventional design, the aircraft was believed to have a high chance of survival in combat.

Technical Specifications

The Ar 381-20 was powered by a single rocket engine, the HWK 509 B-1. The engine was capable of producing 1,200 kgf of thrust, allowing the aircraft to reach high speeds and altitudes. The aircraft had a maximum speed of 560 miles per hour and a service ceiling of 19,685 feet.The Ar 381-20 was equipped with a 30mm MK 108 cannon, with 45 rounds of ammunition. The aircraft also had a small bomb bay, capable of carrying a single bomb.

The Ar 381-20 had a wingspan of 8.5 meters and a length of 6.5 meters. The aircraft had a maximum takeoff weight of 2,500 kg and a normal operating weight of 1,500 kg.

Legacy and Impact

The Ar 381-20 was a fascinating experiment in aircraft design, combining the speed and altitude capabilities of a jet bomber with the agility and armament of a fighter aircraft. While the aircraft never saw widespread use, it remains a testament to the creativity and innovation of the era.The Ar 381-20 was a product of the desperate times in which it was designed. It was a response to the overwhelming Allied air superiority and a reflection of the ingenuity of the German engineers who worked on it. Although it was never fully realized, the Ar 381-20 remains a fascinating piece of aviation history.

google