Beechcraft 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 Active service Production complete
Primary user United States Air Force
United States Army
Number built 2,236[2]


The MQM-107 Streaker is a reusable, 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]

Design and 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 in 1975, and the Army took delivery of the original model (the MQM-107A) until 1979.[1] Over the next two decades, several updated variants of the Streaker were introduced with different engines and payloads.

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]

Operational history

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.

In 2012, it was reported that North Korea had acquired several MQM-107D aircraft second-hand from a Middle Eastern country,[4] and the following year revealed an indigenous target drone type believed to be based on the Streaker.[5]

Variants

A F-16 Fighting Falcon flying in formation with a MQM-107E.
MQM-107A
MQM-107B
MQM-107C
MQM-107D
MQM-107E
Super-MQM
Raider

Operators

Map with former MQM-107 operators in red

Former operators

Specifications (MQM-107B)

Data from [6]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

none

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MQM 107. Designation Systems. Accessed 29 October 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 MQM-107 Streaker (2008).Forecast International. Accessed 29 October 2009.
  3. MQM-107 Product Page. Composite Engineering Inc.. Accessed 29 October 2009.
  4. 1 2 "Report: North Korea using old, US-made drones". Fox news. February 5, 2012. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  5. Majumdar, Dave (March 22, 2013). "North Korea shows off its new drone". Flightglobal. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  6. MQM-107 Streaker. USAF Factsheet. Accessed 28 October 2009.
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