Mission
Provide aerial targets for Army, DoD and other nations’ weapons system developmental and operational testing.
Description
Aerial Targets’ mission is accomplished by High Speed Aerial Targets (HSAT). Current HSATs are: MQM-107 Streaker, BQM-34 Firebee, and MQM-178A Firejet. The MQM 107 Streaker and BQM-34 Firebee are turbojet-powered drones capable of reaching speeds of up to 575 miles per hour (mph) at altitudes of up to 40,000 feet, or about 10,000 feet higher than the average cruising altitude of a 747 commercial airplane. Both targets are launched from zero-length launchers using Rocket Assisted Take-Off (RATO) motors that fall away after boosting the target to flight speed. The MQM-178A (Firejet) is a pneumatically launched target capable of speeds up to 480 mph at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet. These targets are controlled by the Army Ground Aerial Target Control Systems (AGATCS) and are recoverable via parachute if not shot down. The targets are used to test various surface-to-air missile systems, such as the Stinger and Patriot, as well as air to air engagements.
Both the MQM-107 and the MQM-178 systems are transportable to TMO-supported test missions at locations around the world. TMO awarded the Advanced Sub-Scale Aerial Platform (ASAP) contract to Kratos to provide BQM-167A targets to replace the MQM-107 in FY18. Intial BQM-167A target deliveries and initial operational capability are scheduled to beguin in FY19.
System Interdependencies
None
Foreign Military Sales
N/A