| BQM-126 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| BQM-126A at the Yanks Air Museum | |
| Role | Unmanned target drone |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft |
| First flight | March 1984 |
| Status | cancelled |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| 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.
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]
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]
One surviving drone is on display at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California. [6]
General characteristics
Performance
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