Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter

Last updated
BQM-167 Skeeter
Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter.jpg
BQM-167 Skeeter target drone
RoleUnmanned target drone
National originUnited States
ManufacturerComposite Engineering Inc.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
StatusIn service
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built37 [1]
Developed into Kratos BQM-177 [2]

The Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter is a subscale aerial target (drone) developed and manufactured by Composite Engineering Inc. (acquired by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions) and operated by the United States Air Force and certain international customer air forces (designation BQM-167i). It replaced the Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker.

Contents

Design and development

The BQM-167 was developed and manufactured by Composite Engineering Inc. (now part of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions), and is constructed of carbon fiber and epoxy-based materials. [1] [3]

Two prototype targets were built and test flown in 2001. The BQM-167A was selected as the next-generation Air Force subscale aerial target in July 2002. A total of six targets were built for use during the flight performance demonstration (FPD) phase with its first flight 8 December 2004. A total of 13 FPD launches were made into March 2006. [1]

First acceptance testing was completed in August 2006, then pre-operational testing consisted of 13 test flights using production targets from August 2006 - June 2007. The first BQM-167 air-to-air missile live-fire mission took place 7 February 2007. Initial Operational Capability was achieved in 2008. Each target cost US$570,000. [1]

Operational history

BQM-167 being prepared for launch Subscale targets deploy for weapons system evaluations 150512-F-GF899-307.jpg
BQM-167 being prepared for launch

The 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron operates and maintains the target at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

The drone is land-launched using a rocket-assisted takeoff and launched from a rail system, and recovered on land or sea using a parachute system. After assessment and refurbishment, the drone is placed back into service. [1]

The USAF has had 37 in inventory. [1]

On 19 March 2021, a BQM-167 washed ashore in Boynton Beach, Florida after a weapon systems evaluation. [4]

Variants

UTAP-22 Mako

Launch of a UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle in April 2021 Kratos UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle launch.JPG
Launch of a UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle in April 2021

On 23 November 2015, Kratos completed the second flight of its self-funded Unmanned Tactical Aerial Platform (UTAP-22), a development of the BQM-167A converted into a low-cost unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). The test involved collaborative airborne operations with a manned AV-8B Harrier fighter for 94 minutes demonstrating command and control through a tactical data-link, autonomous formation flying with the AV-8B, and transfer of UTAP-22 control between operators in a tactical network and then to an independent control link. [5] The 6.1 m (21 ft)-long turbojet-powered aircraft can travel at Mach 0.91 (693 mph; 1,115 km/h) up to an altitude of 50,000 ft (15,000 m) with a maximum range of 1,400 nmi (1,600 mi; 2,600 km) and an endurance of three hours. It can carry a 159 kg (351 lb) internal payload, a 227 kg (500 lb) external payload, and has a 45 kg (99 lb)-capable weapon hardpoint on each wing. The platform is recoverable on land or at sea using a parachute system. [6] [7] In May 2017, the UTAP-22 received the official name Mako. [8] The aircraft costs between $2-$3 million. [9]

Operators

Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States

.

Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore

.

Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden

Specifications

Data from
 US Air Force - Fact Sheet, BQM-167A [1]
 Kratos Unmanned Systems - Quick Facs, BQM-167A [12]

General characteristics

Performance

Avionics
IR and RF Tow Targets; IR and RF Wing Pods;[ clarification needed ] Chaff / Flare Dispensing; Vector & Scalar Scoring

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northrop BQM-74 Chukar</span> Target drones in the US Navy

The BQM-74 Chukar is a series of aerial target drones produced by Northrop. The Chukar has gone through three major revisions, including the initial MQM-74A Chukar I, the MQM-74C Chukar II, and the BQM-74C Chukar III. They are recoverable, remote controlled, subsonic aerial target, capable of speeds up to Mach 0.86 and altitudes from 30,000 to 40,000 ft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northrop AQM-35</span> Supersonic drone

The AQM-35 was a supersonic target drone produced by the Northrop Corporation.

The BQM-90 was an unmanned aircraft proposed for use as a target drone by the United States Armed Forces. Developed during the 1970s, no aircraft were built before the project was cancelled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Firebee</span> Series of target drones

The Ryan Firebee is a series of target drones developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951. It was one of the first jet-propelled drones, and remains one of the most widely used target drones ever built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan AQM-91 Firefly</span>

The Ryan AQM-91 Firefly was a developmental drone developed during the Vietnam War to perform long-range reconnaissance, especially into China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BQM-147 Dragon</span> Type of reconnaissance drone

The BAI Aerosystems (BAIA) BQM-147 Dragon unmanned aerial vehicle is a tactical battlefield UAV operated by the United States Marine Corps. Originally designed as an expendable communication jammers, they were converted into a reconnaissance role with the addition of a camera.

The Teledyne Ryan BQM-145 Peregrine is a reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed in the United States in the 1990s as a joint U.S. Navy/Marine Corps and Air Force "Medium Range UAV" program, with the Navy developing the airframe and the Air Force providing the payload. The BQM-145A was designed to precede airstrike packages into a target area and relay reconnaissance information in real time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger</span> Unmanned combat aircraft demonstrator built by General Atomics

The General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger is a developmental unmanned combat aerial vehicle built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the U.S. military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microturbo TRI 60</span> Turbojet engine for missiles, target drones, and UAVs

The Microturbo TRI 60 is a small, expendable turbojet engine developed for use in cruise missiles, target drones, and other small unmanned air vehicles. Variants of this engine produce from 3.5 to 5.3 kN of thrust. The engine first ran in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker</span> 1974 unmanned target-towing aerial vehicle

The Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker is a reusable, turbojet powered, target towing drone primarily used by the United States Army and the United States Air Force for testing and training. The US Army uses the drone for testing various surface-to-air missile systems such as the FIM-92 Stinger and the MIM-104 Patriot. The US Air Force uses them in practice engagements for their air-to-air missiles like the AIM-9 Sidewinder and the AIM-120 AMRAAM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radioplane Q-1</span> Type of aircraft

The Radioplane Q-1 was an American target drone, developed in the early 1950s for the United States Air Force by the Radioplane Company. Originally powered by a pulsejet engine, then later developed as an improved turbojet-powered aircraft, the Q-1 failed to win the favor of the USAF. However, the aircraft provided the basis of the GAM-67 Crossbow anti-radar missile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HESA Karrar</span> Iranian target drone

The HESA Karrar is an Iranian jet-powered target drone manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) since 2010. The Karrar is a derivative of the American 1970s-era Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker target drone, probably incorporating elements from the South African Skua, with hardpoints added for munitions. The Karrar was developed during the Ahmadinejad presidency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NSRDC BQM-108</span> Type of aircraft

The NSRDC XBQM-108A was an experimental VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle developed by the United States Navy during the 1970s. Although the XBQM-108A successfully conducted unmanned, tethered flight tests and the project was canceled before any free flights could be conducted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TAI Gözcü</span> Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle

TAI Gözcü is a radio-controlled short-range tactical drone. Designed, developed and built by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is in use by the Turkish Armed Forces for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance purposes. Gözcü is the Turkish word for observer.

The Republic SD-4 Swallow was an early high-speed reconnaissance drone developed by Republic Aviation for the United States Army. Intended for use by the U.S. Army Signal Corps to target tactical ballistic missiles, it was cancelled before the first prototype could be completed, and did not see operational service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairchild SD-5 Osprey</span> Type of aircraft

The Fairchild SD-5 Osprey was an early high-speed reconnaissance drone developed by Fairchild Aircraft for the United States Army. Intended for use by the U.S. Army Signal Corps to gather targeting information for tactical ballistic missiles, it was cancelled before the first prototype could be completed, and did not see operational service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chengdu WZ-10</span> Unmanned aerial vehicle

The Wing Loong-10 is a series of unmanned aerial vehicles of the High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) type, featuring some stealth characteristics. As of 2017, it is being developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for reconnaissance and precision strike missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie</span> Planned stealth unmanned combat air vehicle for the US Air Force

The Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie is an experimental stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed and built by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions for the United States Air Force's Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator (LCASD) program, under the USAF Research Laboratory's Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) project portfolio. It was initially designated the XQ-222. The Valkyrie completed its first flight on 5 March 2019 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

The Kratos BQM-177 is a subsonic aerial target drone for emulating anti-ship cruise missiles. It was developed by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and is currently operated by the United States Navy as the BQM-177A. The variant intended for international customers is designated BQM-177i.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beechcraft BQM-126</span> US Air Force aerial target drone

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BQM-167A Air Force Subscale Aerial Target, USAF, 2009-05-20, accessed 2017-02-23
  2. "BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target". Airforce Technology. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  3. BQM-167A brochure, KratosUSD, accessed 2017-02-23
  4. "Military Drone Washed Ashore On Boynton Beach". CBS Miami. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  5. Kratos Completes Second Flight of Tactical Unmanned Aircraft - Ainonline.com, 9 December 2015
  6. Kratos breaking into the unmanned combat air vehicle market - Flightglobal.com, 5 May 2016
  7. Kratos gets green light to market potentially-armed Mako ‘loyal wingman’ drone to allies. Defense News. 1 May 2018.
  8. USAF Research Lab Has Released This Image Of Its Low-Cost Stealthy Drone - Thedrive.com, 19 May 2017
  9. Kratos’ Mako drone approved for sale to foreign militaries. Flight International. 15 March 2018.
  10. "Government of Singapore Purchases High Speed Aerial Target Drones". The Global Herald. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  11. "Sammansvetsat team i FMV:s målrobotverkstad | Affärstidningen Näringsliv". April 2019.
  12. BQM-167A Air Force Subscale Aerial Target, Kratos, accessed 2018-08-08