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.
| BQM-126 | |
|---|---|
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| 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 |
Design and development
editThe 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]
Operational history
editThe 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]
Survivors
editOne surviving drone is on display at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.[6]
Specifications
editGeneral characteristics
- Crew: None
- Length: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
- Wingspan: 10 ft (3.0 m)
- Diameter: 1 ft 3 in (0.38 m)
- Empty weight: 540 lb (245 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,090 lb (494 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,400 lb (635 kg) including booster
- Powerplant: 1 × Microturbo J403-MT-400 turbojet, 900 lbf (4.0 kN) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 580 kn (670 mph, 1,070 km/h)
- Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
References
edit- ^ a b Pelletier, Alain J. (1995). Beech Aircraft and Their Predecessors. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. p. 179. ISBN 978-1557500625. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ a b Nicklas, Brian D. (2012). American Missiles: The Complete Smithsonian Field Guide. Havertown, PA: Casemate Publishers. ISBN 978-1848325173. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Department of Defense appropriations for 1988: hearings before a subcomittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, First Session. Part 6. 24 November 1987. pp. 502–504. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Parsch, Andreas (16 October 2002). "Beech BQM-126". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Designation-Systems. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ a b Grossnick, Roy A.; John M. Elliott; Gwendolyn J. Rich (May–June 1988). "The Year in Review 1987". Naval Aviation News. 70 (4): 10. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "BQM-126A". Yanks Air Museum. Retrieved 27 November 2024.