Английская Википедия:Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter
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.
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][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]
Operational history
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.[3]
Variants
UTAP-22 Mako
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.[4] The 6.1 m (21 ft)-long turbojet-powered aircraft can travel at Шаблон:Convert up to an altitude of Шаблон:Convert with a maximum range of Шаблон:Convert and an endurance of three hours. It can carry a Шаблон:Convert internal payload, a Шаблон:Cvt external payload, and has a Шаблон:Convert-capable weapon hardpoint on each wing. The platform is recoverable on land or at sea using a parachute system.[5][6] In May 2017, the UTAP-22 received the official name Mako.[7] The aircraft costs between $2-$3 million.[8]
Operators
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Specifications
References
External links
Шаблон:Kratos Defense Шаблон:US missiles
- ↑ 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,4 BQM-167A Air Force Subscale Aerial Target, USAF, 2009-05-20, accessed 2017-02-23
- ↑ BQM-167A brochure, KratosUSD, accessed 2017-02-23
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Kratos Completes Second Flight of Tactical Unmanned Aircraft - Ainonline.com, 9 December 2015
- ↑ Kratos breaking into the unmanned combat air vehicle market - Flightglobal.com, 5 May 2016
- ↑ Kratos gets green light to market potentially-armed Mako ‘loyal wingman’ drone to allies. Defense News. 1 May 2018.
- ↑ USAF Research Lab Has Released This Image Of Its Low-Cost Stealthy Drone - Thedrive.com, 19 May 2017
- ↑ Kratos’ Mako drone approved for sale to foreign militaries. Flight International. 15 March 2018.
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
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