Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter
{{Short description|US Air Force aerial target drone}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
|name= BQM-167 Skeeter |image= File:Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter.jpg |caption= BQM-167 Skeeter target drone }}{{Infobox aircraft type |type= Unmanned target drone |national origin= United States |manufacturer= Composite Engineering Inc. |designer= |first flight= |introduced= |retired= |status= In service |produced= |primary user= United States Air Force |more users= |developed from= |variants with their own articles= |developed into=Kratos BQM-177{{cite web |title=BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/bqm-177a-subsonic-aerial-target/ |website=Airforce Technology |access-date=1 September 2024}} }} |
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.[https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104562/bqm-167a-air-force-subscale-aerial-target/ BQM-167A Air Force Subscale Aerial Target], USAF, 2009-05-20, accessed 2017-02-23[http://www.kratosusd.com/~/media/uss/datasheets/bqm-167a.pdf BQM-167A brochure], KratosUSD, accessed 2017-02-23
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.
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.
Operational history
File:Subscale targets deploy for weapons system evaluations 150512-F-GF899-307.jpg
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.
The USAF has had 37 in inventory.
On 19 March 2021, a BQM-167 washed ashore in Boynton Beach, Florida after a weapon systems evaluation.{{cite web |title=Military Drone Washed Ashore On Boynton Beach |url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/03/19/military-drone-washed-ashore-boynton-beach/ |website=CBS Miami |access-date=20 March 2021}}
Variants
=UTAP-22 Mako=
File:Kratos UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle launch.JPG
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.[http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-12-09/kratos-completes-second-flight-tactical-unmanned-aircraft Kratos Completes Second Flight of Tactical Unmanned Aircraft] - Ainonline.com, 9 December 2015 The 6.1 m (21 ft)-long turbojet-powered aircraft can travel at {{convert|0.91|Mach|mph km/h|0}} up to an altitude of {{convert|50000|ft|m|abbr=on}} with a maximum range of {{convert|1400|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}} and an endurance of three hours. It can carry a {{convert|159|kg|lb|abbr=on}} internal payload, a {{cvt|227|kg|abbr=on}} external payload, and has a {{convert|45|kg|lb|abbr=on}}-capable weapon hardpoint on each wing. The platform is recoverable on land or at sea using a parachute system.[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/kratos-breaking-into-the-unmanned-combat-air-vehicle-424991/ Kratos breaking into the unmanned combat air vehicle market] - Flightglobal.com, 5 May 2016[https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/05/01/kratos-gets-green-light-to-market-potentially-armed-mako-loyal-wingman-drone-to-allies/ Kratos gets green light to market potentially-armed Mako ‘loyal wingman’ drone to allies]. Defense News. 1 May 2018. In May 2017, the UTAP-22 received the official name Mako.[http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/10475/usaf-research-lab-has-released-this-image-of-its-low-cost-stealthy-drone USAF Research Lab Has Released This Image Of Its Low-Cost Stealthy Drone] - Thedrive.com, 19 May 2017 The aircraft costs between $2-$3 million.[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/kratos-mako-drone-approved-for-sale-to-foreign-mili-446822/ Kratos’ Mako drone approved for sale to foreign militaries]. Flight International. 15 March 2018.
Operators
;{{USA}}
.
;{{flagicon|Singapore}}Singapore
- Republic Of Singapore Air Force{{Cite web |website=The Global Herald |title=Government of Singapore Purchases High Speed Aerial Target Drones |date=4 August 2011 |url=https://theglobalherald.com/business/government-of-singapore-purchases-high-speed-aerial-target-drones/|access-date=2022-01-01|language=en-US}}
.
;{{SWE}}
Specifications
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units? = kts
|ref=
{{*}}US Air Force - Fact Sheet, BQM-167A
{{*}}Kratos Unmanned Systems - Quick Facs, BQM-167A[http://www.kratosusd.com/capabilities/unmanned-aerial-systems/bqm-167a BQM-167A Air Force Subscale Aerial Target], Kratos, accessed 2018-08-08
|crew=None
|length ft=20
|length m=6.1
|span ft=10.5
|span m=3.2
|height ft=4
|height m=1.2
|empty weight lb=690
|empty weight kg=313
|max takeoff weight lb=2,050
|max takeoff weight kg=930
|eng1 name=1x MicroTurbo Tri 60-5+
|eng1 type=turbojet
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 lbf=990
|eng1 kn=4.4
|max speed kts=600
|max speed note= (sea level)
|cruise speed kts=230
|cruise speed note= (sea level)
|ceiling ft=50,000
|ceiling m=15,000
|ceiling note=MSL {{clarify|what is MSL?|date=February 2020}} 50 ft AGL min. / 8 m min.
|more performance=
9 G turns; recovered by a parachute recovery system either from land or water
|hardpoint capacity=45.4 kg Wing-Tip Capacity (per side); 68 kg Wing Station Capacity (per side)
|avionics=IR and RF Tow Targets; IR and RF Wing Pods;{{clarify|what are IR and RF?|date=February 2020}} Chaff / Flare Dispensing; Vector & Scalar Scoring
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|BQM-167 Skeeter}}
- [https://www.kratosdefense.com/systems-and-platforms/unmanned-systems/aerial/aerial-targets#BQM167?r=kusd Kratos BQM-167 page]
- [https://www.kratosdefense.com/systems-and-platforms/unmanned-systems/aerial/tactical-uavs Kratos UTAP-22 Mako page]
{{Kratos Defense}}
{{US missiles}}
Category:Target drones of the United States
Category:Decoy missiles of the United States
Category:Single-engined jet aircraft
Category:2000s United States special-purpose aircraft