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MQM-107
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Raytheon (Beech) MQM-107 Streaker

The MQM-107 Streaker is a high-subsonic subscale aerial target used by the U.S. Army and Air Force.

In 1972 the U.S. Army started its VSTT (Variable Speed Training Target) design competition, in which Beech participated with its Model 1089. After a test program in 1974, Beech was announced winner of the VSTT competition in April 1975, and was awarded the first production contract for the MQM-107A Streaker.

The MQM-107A is powered by a Teledyne CAE J402-CA-700 turbojet in a nacelle under the fuselage, and is launched from a zero-length launcher with the help of a single solid-propellant rocket booster. The target can fly preprogrammed missions, but can also be controlled from the ground through a radio command guidance system. The Streaker's flight envelope includes speeds from about 370 km/h (200 kts) to 926 km/h (500 kts), constant high-g turns, and flight at very low altitudes. The target is recovered by a two-stage parachute system, which is initiated either automatically by loss of critical systems, or by ground command. The MQM-107A can use the usual variety of payloads for aerial targets, including radar, IR, and visual augmentation devices, scoring devices, and countermeasures. One of its main tasks is towing various sub-targets for radar- and IR-guided missile and gunnery training.

Photo: U.S. Army
MQM-107A


Delivery of MQM-107A's to the U.S. Army ended in 1979 after almost 400 units. In 1982, the improved MQM-107B was introduced. The main enhancements were the new Microturbo TRI 60-2 engine which increased the maximum speed, and the longer fuselage with increased payload volume. Until 1986, about 200 MQM-107Bs were delivered to the U.S. Army and USAF.

The MQM-107C was a non-standard model, which used the longer fuselage of the MQM-107B and the engine of the MQM-107A. About 70 MQM-107Cs were built for the Army to use up existing stocks of J402-CA-700 engines.

In 1987, the first MQM-107D models were delivered to the U.S. Army. This version was a variant of the MQM-107B with a Teledyne CAE Model 373-8 (J402-CA-702) engine. Almost 700 MQM-107Ds were built for the U.S. armed services, and those ordered from 1989 had a new Microturbo TRI 60-5 Model 220 engine.

Photo: David Brown
MQM-107D


The MQM-107E is an improved model with slightly redesigned wings and tailplane for higher speed and manoeuverability. It can use either a Teledyne CAE 373-8 or a Microturbo TRI 60-5 engine, and has a new digital autopilot. The fuselage was again lengthened to further increase the payload volume. The MQM-107E first flew in 1992, and in 1994 a production contract was awarded to Tracor (now BAE Systems). The first production models were delivered in 1996. Australia has purchased a version of the MQM-107E known as Kalkara to replace its aging Jindivik targets.

Photo: Australian Navy
Kalkara (MQM-107E)


The Streaker models currently in use by the U.S. armed services are the MQM-107D and E. The targets are used for training with every surface-to-air and air-to-air weapon in the Army and USAF inventory. After it purchased Beech, Raytheon is now prime contractor for the Streaker, and production of the MQM-107E by BAE Systems was continuing at least until the early 2000s. According to current USAF plans, the new BQM-167 Skeeter target will supplement and eventually replace both the MQM-107 and BQM-34A Firebee in USAF service.

There are some derivatives of the basic MQM-107 design, which did not go into production. In 1985, Beech proposed the Raider, a recoverable tactical UAV for active and passive countermeasures, but the U.S. military was apparently not interested and the program was cancelled. Beech's Model 997, which was built for the U.S. Navy as BQM-126A in the mid-1980s, was also based on the MQM-107. Another variant was a modified MQM-107D known as Dreem (Drone RF Electronic Enhancement Mechanism). This was built by Boeing under a USAF contract as a possible cheaper alternative to full-scale targets like the QF-4. The Dreem was tested in late 1998.

Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for MQM-107A/B/D/E:

 MQM-107AMQM-107BMQM-107DMQM-107E
Length5.13 m (16 ft 10 in)5.51 m (18 ft 1 in)5.71 m (18 ft 9 in)
Wingspan3.01 m (9 ft 10.5 in)3.02 m (9 ft 10.9 in)
Diameter38 cm (15 in)
Height1.47 m (4 ft 10 in)1.54 m (5 ft 0.6 in)
Weight (w/o booster)< 450 kg (1000 lb)662 kg (1460 lb)
Speed926 km/h (500 kts)956 km/h (516 kts)1015 km/h (548 kts)
Ceiling12200 m (40000 ft)
Endurance> 3 hours2 h 15 min2 h 18 min
Propulsion Booster: solid-propellant rocket; MQM-107D/E: Naval Surface Warfare Center SR121-NP-2; 25.8 kN (5800 lb) for 2.6 s
Sustainer:
   MQM-107A/C: Teledyne CAE J402-CA-700 turbojet; 2.85 kN (640 lb)
   MQM-107B: Microturbo TRI 60-2 Model 074 turbojet; 3.70 kN (831 lb)
   MQM-107D/E: Teledyne CAE J402-CA-702 turbojet; 4.27 kN (960 lb)
   MQM-107D/E (alternative): Microturbo TRI 60-5 Model 220 turbojet; 4.23 kN (950 lb)

Main Sources

[1] Kenneth Munson: "World Unmanned Aircraft", Jane's, 1988
[2] Kenneth Munson (ed.): "Jane's Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, Issue 15", Jane's, 2000
[3] A.J. Pelletier: "Beech Aircraft and their Predecessors", Putnam, 1995


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Last Updated: 6 December 2004