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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 has replaced the Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker (aka Kalkara in Australia).

History[]

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][2]

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]

Operation[]

Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter

Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter target drone

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]

UTAP-22[]

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.[3] 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.[4][5] In May 2017, the UTAP-22 received the official name Mako.[6] The aircraft costs between $2-$3 million.[7]

Operators[]

United States

Specifications[]

Data from

  • US Air Force - Fact Sheet, BQM-167A[1]
  • Kratos Unmanned Systems - Quick Facs, BQM-167A[8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: None
  • Length: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
  • Wingspan: 10.5 ft (3.2 m)
  • Height: 4 ft (1.2 m)
  • Empty weight: 690 lb (313 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 2,050 lb (646 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × 1x MicroTurbo Tri 60-5+ turbojet, 990 lbf (4.4 kN)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 0.93 Mach (600 kn (sea level))
  • Cruise speed: 230 kn (sea level)
  • Service ceiling: 50,000 ft MSL[Clarification needed] (15,000 m) 50 ft AGL min. / 8 m min.

9 G turns; recovered by a parachute recovery system either from land or water

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

References[]

  • Kratos Unmanned Systems Division - BQM-167I[1]


All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter and the edit history here.
  1. BQM-167I brochure, KratosUSD, accessed 2017-02-23
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