ASCI 530 assignment 1.5, 24 October 2014

ASCI 530 – Assignment 1.5.  October 24, 2014

  

            Up until very recently the majority of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) development has been focused on military use.  This brief review will focus on military UASs, specifically those used as aerial targets, comparing and contrasting two of the more prevalent aerial targets used by the U.S. military at different periods in aviation history.  The AQM-38 was a mainstay of the U.S. military’s target fleet from the late 1950s through the mid 1970s (1950s & 1960s, n.d.), whereas the BQM-74F is one of the latest aerial targets in use today (Northrop Grumman.  n.d.-a.).

The Northrop Grumman Ventura AQM-38 was configured both as a subsonic “A” and a supersonic “B” series.  In appearance the AQM-38 was very similar to the era’s fighter aircraft’s external auxiliary fuel tanks or what many commonly refer to as a drop tank with the added features of small forward and  mid mounted winglets and rear fins similar to what one would expect to see on a torpedo used for flight control.  Relatively light and small, the AQM-38 series weighed 300 pounds with a length of 9 feet 8 inches and a wingspan of 5 feet.  Both models were powered by a solid fuel rocket, the subsonic “A” model achieved speeds of Mach .94 whereas the supersonic “B” model, powered by a more powerful solid fuel rocket, achieved speeds of Mach 1.25.  Guidance was via autopilot and a radio control override system (1950s & 1960s, n.d.).

Fast forward four decades to 2014 and the Northrop Grumman BQM-74F Aerial Target, perhaps the spiritual, though not direct, successor to the AQM series.  Attaining speeds of Mach .92 at sea level with an operating altitude of 7 feet to 40000 feet the BQM-74F is slightly slower than the AQM-38B but possesses significantly greater navigation and mission profile capabilities.  Where the AQM was limited to one flight plan (with override if needed) the BQM can store 6 mission profiles and numerous waypoints which are selectable and modifiable at any time during operation.

Larger and heavier than the AQM series the BQM-74F is 15 feet long, weighs 620 pounds and has a 7 foot wingspan and is powered by a turbojet engine burning jet fuel (Northrop Grumman.  n.d.-a.).  Possessing swept back wings mounted further aft as well as on the tail and a pronounced intake duct on the bottom third of the fuselage, the BQM’s appearance is easily differentiated from its’ predecessors.  Guidance and navigation are provided by an integrated inertial measurement unit (IMU) and global positioning system (GPS) avionics system (Northrop Grumman.  n.d.-a.).  

Northrop Grumman projects that future UAS target development will focus on product versatility as well ensuring that target capabilities match known or anticipated threat capabilities.  (Northrop Grumman.  n.d.-b.). Pre 1970 aerial target focus was on speed and power, in the 70s technology started moving away from speed and power towards light weight and maneuverability.  The ability to use an airframe in a variety roles and missions significantly reduces operation and procurement costs and simplifies training and support.  Today and into the future the emphasis may very well be on versatility and the technology that allows it.

References

1950s & 1960s.  (n.d.).  In UAV universe .  Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/uavuni/1950s-1960s

Northrop Grumman, Integrated Systems, Western Region.  (n.d.-a.).  BQM-74F The next generation: offering new dimensions in target performance and capability.  Retrieved from http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/BQM74FAerialTarget/Documents/BQM-74F-DS-05.pdf

Northrop Grumman, Integrated Systems, Western Region.  (n.d.-b.).  BQM-74F Aerial Target.  Retrieved from http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/BQM74FAerialTarget/Pages/default.aspx