MQM-107 Streaker

MQM-107 Streaker
MQM-107E in flight.
Role Unmanned Target drone
National origin United States
Manufacturer Beechcraft
First flight 1974 [1]
Introduction 1984
Status Production complete
Primary user United States Air Force
United States Army
Number built 2,236 [2]

The MQM-107 Streaker is a resusable, turbojet powered, target towing drone primarily used by the United States Army and the United States Air Force for testing and training. The US Army uses the drone for testing various Surface-to-air missile systems such as the FIM-92 Stinger and the MIM-104 Patriot. The USAF uses them in practice engagements for their Air-to-air missiles like the AIM-9 Sidewinder and the AIM-120 AMRAAM.[3]

Contents

Development

The MQM-107 was originally developed by Beech Aircraft for the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command's 1972 Variable Speed Training Target (VSTT) requirement. It was announced as the winner 1975, and the Army took delivery of the original model (the MQM-107A) until 1979.[1] Over the next two decade, several updated variants of the Streaker were introduced with different engines and payloads.

Production of the MQM-107 ended in 2003, and the current inventory is being phased out in favor of its replacement, the BQM-167 Skeeter.

Design

The MQM-107 is designed as a high-subsonic target drone, featuring a slight sweep in the wings and a centerline mounted turbojet engine. The drone is launched from the ground with a rocket booster accelerating it until the jet engine takes over. It can be recovered by parachute and reused.

The Streaker is generally designed to operate as a tow vehicle for missile and gun targets. The aircraft can carry either radar or infrared tow targets for missile training, as well as a square banner with an enhanced radar signature for gunnery training. Flare and/or chaff pods can be carried as well.[2]

Variants

MQM-107A
MQM-107B
MQM-107C
MQM-107D
MQM-107E
Super-MQM
Raider

Operators

 Australia (N28 Kalkara AKA MQM-107E)
 Egypt (999H, 999L)
 Iran (MQM-107A)
 Jordan (MQM-107A)
 Republic of Korea (999D)

' Singapore

 Sweden (999A)
 Taiwan (999F)
 Turkey (999L)
 United Arab Emirates (999L)
 United States (All Variants)

Specifications (MQM-107B)

Data from [4]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

none

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g MQM 107. Designation Systems. Accessed Oct 29 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h MQM-107 Streaker (2008).Forecast International. Accessed 29 Oct 2009.
  3. ^ MQM-107 Product Page. Composite Engineering Inc.. Accessed 29 Oct 2009.
  4. ^ MQM-107 Streaker. USAF Factsheet. Accessed 28 Oct 2009.