A mystery object found washed up on a Cape Cod beach is an artifact linked to a top-secret program from the Cold War.
Historians believe it resembles an aircraft fuselage linked to military training during the conflict.
The contraption, which looks like it’s part of a missile, was discovered last week at Massachusetts Marconi beach near Cape Cod.
Cape Cod National Seashore announced on Facebook the team worked quickly to pick up the puzzling object.
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They said: “Staff worked together to get it off the beach before it was swept away.
“Park historian Bill Burke examined the object and determined that it was in fact the fuselage of a RCAT (Remote Control Aerial Target).”
“RCATs were drone planes used for target practice for anti-aircraft training off Marconi at a former United States military training camp (Camp Wellfleet) during the 1940s and 50s.”
Military planes were fitted with RCAT, which were launched from the aircraft up to 6mph within the first 30 feet. They were then controlled remotely from a bluff, officials explained.
Crews would train by firing at the RCATs, using 40 MM guns, meaning the seafloor at the Cape Cod beach could be full of remaining debris.
Reports say: “The airplanes were all metal, with a 10 foot wing span, and a skid along the bottom for emergency landings, when the parachute wouldn’t work. The speed of the airplane was 225 miles per hour.
“Some would make as many as twenty flights, while others would fly only once. If they took a direct hit in the gas tank, this would cause the plane to explode, and the gallons of fuel would cause quite a spectacular yet expensive explosion.”
The program was ‘top secret’ during the Cold War.
Park officials have not said what will happen to the RCAT.
Marconi Beach is about 20-miles south from Provincetown in Cape Cod.
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