Beech MQM-107D Streaker
In 1972, the US Army issued a requirement for a target drone capable of simulating both low and high speed, with an emphasis on the latter. Beech won the requirement in 1975 with its MQM-107 Streaker, and it entered service later that year. In 1984, the USAF also bought an upgraded version, the MQM-107B, to supplement the aging Ryan BQM-34 Firebee.
The MQM-107 was launched with a rocket booster and accelerated to about 250 mph in less than 30 seconds, then dropped off the booster to use its internal turbojet. It then either followed a preset flight pattern, or could be controlled by a ground station. To make it a tougher target, the Streaker could also drop countermeasures such as aluminum chaff or infrared flares; it could also be used to tow targets behind it for gun training. Once its fuel was exhausted, a parachute would deploy and it could be recovered by helicopter from land or sea, as it was designed to float.
Though not built in the same numbers as the Firebee, the Streaker served in eleven nations besides the United States. It was gradually replaced from 2003 by the Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter. North Korea is believed to be using a copy of the Streaker, after illegally obtaining a few MQM-107s on the black market.
This MQM-107D, with an upgraded engine, is a former USAF example assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Clark AFB, Philippines. It made a hard landing in the Pacific in 1991 after only a year in service and was unable to fly any further, but rather than scrap it, this Streaker was donated to the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB, Georgia. In the background are two AIM-9 Sidewinders.
Beech MQM-107D Streaker
In 1972, the US Army issued a requirement for a target drone capable of simulating both low and high speed, with an emphasis on the latter. Beech won the requirement in 1975 with its MQM-107 Streaker, and it entered service later that year. In 1984, the USAF also bought an upgraded version, the MQM-107B, to supplement the aging Ryan BQM-34 Firebee.
The MQM-107 was launched with a rocket booster and accelerated to about 250 mph in less than 30 seconds, then dropped off the booster to use its internal turbojet. It then either followed a preset flight pattern, or could be controlled by a ground station. To make it a tougher target, the Streaker could also drop countermeasures such as aluminum chaff or infrared flares; it could also be used to tow targets behind it for gun training. Once its fuel was exhausted, a parachute would deploy and it could be recovered by helicopter from land or sea, as it was designed to float.
Though not built in the same numbers as the Firebee, the Streaker served in eleven nations besides the United States. It was gradually replaced from 2003 by the Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter. North Korea is believed to be using a copy of the Streaker, after illegally obtaining a few MQM-107s on the black market.
This MQM-107D, with an upgraded engine, is a former USAF example assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Clark AFB, Philippines. It made a hard landing in the Pacific in 1991 after only a year in service and was unable to fly any further, but rather than scrap it, this Streaker was donated to the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB, Georgia. In the background are two AIM-9 Sidewinders.