The XKDT was designed for use an inexpensive and expendable air-launched, high-performance target drone. Its design utilized a low-set swept wing, and an inverted cruciform tail; the structure of the aircraft included aluminum honeycomb wing construction and extensive use of magnesium and fiberglass in the fuselage.[1] It was intended to reach speeds of up to Mach 0.95.[2]
The Teal could be launched at any altitude of up to ; speed at launch was between and . Following launch a dual-thrust solid fuel rocket motor ignited; thrust was for the first four seconds of powered flight, followed by for approximately 500 seconds propulsive time.[1] Control was provided by a three-axis autopilot; radar reflectors and infrared flares provided an assist in tracking the drone, and at the end of nine minutes' flight time a self-destruct device would be activated.[1]
The first flight of a XKDT-1 took place in September 1957; most flights utilized a McDonnell F3H Demon carrier aircraft.[3] Following the conclusion of the evaluation program, no production contract was placed; supersonic targets having become preferred.[3]