Beechcraft BQM-126

Last updated
BQM-126
Beech BQM-126A (25572335304).jpg
BQM-126A at the Yanks Air Museum
General information
TypeUnmanned target drone
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Beechcraft
Statuscancelled
Primary user United States Navy
History
First flightMarch 1984
Developed from Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker

The Beechcraft BQM-126A, also known by the company designation Model 997, is a subsonic aerial target drone developed by Beechcraft for use by the United States Navy. No production of the type was undertaken.

Contents

Design and development

The Beechcraft Model 997 was proposed in response to a 1983 United States Navy requirement for a target drone to replace the BQM-34 in service. [1] [2] Based on the Army's MQM-107 Streaker in design, [3] the Model 997 was a low-wing pilotless aircraft, with a twin-tail configuration to reduce its height to assist in carriage by launching aircraft. A Microturbo J403 turbojet provided propulsion. [4] Launch was from a carrier-based aircraft, [3] although it could also be land- or ship-launched through the use of a solid rocket booster; landing, if the drone was not shot down, was by parachute. [4]

Operational history

The first flight of the Model 997 took place in March 1984; in 1985, the Navy ordered the drone into full-scale development, designating it BQM-126A. [4] The first launch of a pre-production BQM-126A took place at the Pacific Missile Test Center on March 30, 1987; [5] testing was delayed due to issues with subsystem designs, as well as Congressional cuts to the program's budget. [3]

The BQM-126A was considered superior to the BQM-34S with regards to threat replication, [3] and was intended to be significantly lower in cost as well. [5] Orders for up to 700 aircraft were planned; however due to budgetary constraints, [4] production of the BQM-126A was cancelled. [2]

Surviving aircraft

One surviving drone is on display at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California. [6]

Specifications

Data from [1] [4]

General characteristics

Performance

References

  1. 1 2 Pelletier, Alain J. (1995). Beech Aircraft and Their Predecessors. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. p. 179. ISBN   978-1557500625 . Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  2. 1 2 Nicklas, Brian D. (2012). American Missiles: The Complete Smithsonian Field Guide. Havertown, PA: Casemate Publishers. ISBN   978-1848325173 . Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Department of Defense appropriations for 1988: hearings before a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, First Session. Part 6. 24 November 1987. pp. 502–504. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Parsch, Andreas (16 October 2002). "Beech BQM-126". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Designation-Systems. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  5. 1 2 Grossnick, Roy A.; John M. Elliott; Gwendolyn J. Rich (May–June 1988). "The Year in Review 1987". Naval Aviation News. 70 (4): 10. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  6. ↑ "BQM-126A". Yanks Air Museum. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
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