Q- for target

FIRST SERIES (1950-1962)

XQ-1 Radioplane RP-21 jet-powered target similar to GAM-67; first tentatively designated as "Q-20" (1950)
XQ-1A Radioplane RP-26 variant with side air intake, modified parachute landing system
YQ-1B Radioplane RP-50 variant with nose air intakes, launched from DB-26 aircraft (1953)
XQ-2 Ryan 49 Firebee prototype target drone also tested by Army and Navy (32 built, 1951)
Q-2A Ryan 49 Firebee USAF target for use from DC-130 (91 built, 1951)
XQ-2B Ryan 49 Firebee USAF high-rise option (in 1957 reached the height of 16200 m)
XQ-2C Ryan 124 Firebee prototypes with increased wingspan, no vertical tail (10 built, 1958)
Q-2C Ryan 124 Firebee production version; became BQM/MQM-34 series of drones (1960)
Q-2D Ryan 124 Firebee high-altitude version (over 2500 m), project only
XQ-3 Radioplane version of Q-1 with fiberglass hull
XQ-4 Radioplane RP-61 target drone built for MX-2144 program; model became AQM-35A (15 built, 1954)
XQ-4A Radioplane model developed for the improvement of the CIM-10 Bomarc's radar guidance system
XQ-4B Bendix Talos (1959)
Q-4B Northrop/Bendix Talos production version; , became AQM-35B
XQ-5-1 Lockheed Kingfisher, a modified X-7A-3 for testing missiles; became AQM-60A
XQ-6 WADC project, no details (none built, 1953)
Q-7A Boeing 299 Flying Fortress for “Operation Crossroads”; to study impact of a nuclear explosion; redesignated as QB-17G (1946)
Q-7B Boeing 299 Flying Fortress for “Operation Crossroads”; to test missile guidance systems; redesignated as QB-17L (1950)
Q-7C Boeing 299 Flying Fortress for “Operation Crossroads”; to test missile guidance systems; redesignated as QB-17N (1950)
Q-8A Lockheed 80 Shooting Star unmanned radio version of F-80A for MX-815; redesignated as QF-80A after March 1954 (1946)
Q-8B Lockheed 80 Shooting Star converted F-80C; redesignated as QF-80C after March 1954
Q-8C Lockheed 80 Shooting Star version for MX-1841 with improved radio by Sperry Gyroscope; redesignated as QF-80F after March 1954
XQ-9 McDonnell 107B Quail small target drone project (System 437L), developed by WADC; air-launched, short-range target drone version of GAM-72 (none built, 1954)
Q-10 Radioplane RP-62, an OQ-19 derivative ( 1954)
XQ-11 “F-108 Airborne Target” WADC project for development of fighter-interceptor F-108 Rapier systems (none built, 1959)
XQ-12 Beech 1019 Jayhawk; became AQM-37A (1961)

SECOND SERIES

RQ-1K* General Atomics Predator; "Tier II" MAE (Medium Altitude Endurance) UAV; Gnat-750 development
RQ-1L* General Atomics Predator; higher-performance turbo-supercharged engine and de-icing equipment
MQ-1L* General Atomics Predator; higher-performance turbo-supercharged engine and de-icing equipment
MQ-1B General Atomics Predator; same planes redesignated; multiple-role medium altitude endurance unmanned aerial vehicle with internal and external payload capability
RQ-1B General Atomics Predator; larger engine, wing deicing and improved avionics
YMQ-1 General Atomics Warrior; CERMP (Extended Range Multi-Purpose) UAS program for a long-endurance armed unmanned aerial system (initially requested as YMQ-12A)
MQ-1C General Atomics Warrior; a replacement for the MQ/RQ-5 family of UCAV/UAV. Provides an extended range and multi-mission capability. Has 36-hour endurance with an 800-pound payload. Has 56-foot wingspan ans 27-foot length.
RQ-2A IAI/AAI Pioneer; USN/MC derivative of the Scout tactical UAV; first tactical battlefield UAV in service with the U.S. armed forces
RQ-2B IAI/AAI Pioneer; latest batch of new-built RQ-2s equipped with UCARS (UAV Common Automatic Recovery System)
RQ-2B Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Pioneer; Improved electronic system requiring different aircrew and maintenance procedures.
RQ-2C Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Pioneer; Modified RQ-2B. Tactical UAV designed for day/night ISR operations with take-off and recovery from a hard surface. Mods include AR 741-38 engine and Laser IR pointer to increase the operational combat capability through 2015.
RQ-3A Lockheed Martin DarkStar; for DARPA's "Tier III-" requirement for a LO-HAE (Low-Observable High-Altitude Endurance) UAV
RQ-4A Teledyne Ryan Global Hawk; "Tier II+" HAE (High Altitude Endurance) UAV
YRQ-4A "Northrop Grumman / Teledyne Ryan" Global Hawk; RQ-4A aircraft modified to evaluate new technologies and components. Prototype of the RQ-4A. Significant modifications and design modernizations will be evaluated for the design, performance, and production of the vehicle.
RQ-4B Northrop Grumman Global Hawk; larger, enhanced version of RQ-4 UAV for expanded reconnaissance mission; 50% higher payload capability
RQ-4N Northrop Grumman Global Hawk; contender for U.S. Navy BAMS program; designation apparently non-official
MQ-4C Northrop Grumman Triton (U.S. Navy BAMS)
RQ-5A TRW / IAI Hunter; UAV with 8 hour endurance and 15,000 foot ceiling. Has 29 foot wingspan, former BQM-155A; JIMPACS (Joint Improved Multimission Payload Aerial Surveillance, Combat Survivable)
MQ-5A TRW / IAI (Northrop Grumman) Hunter; modified RQ-5A for a Multi-mission role. Includes hard-points on each side capable of carrying external payloads and vehicle modifications to facilitate mission; modified for weapons delivery
MQ-5B Northrop Grumman Hunter; variant further optimized for the multi-mission role; modified RQ-5A for Reconnaisssance and Attack Missions. Modified engines, new avionics, longer wingspan (from 29 to 34.25FT) to allow for increased gross take-off weight, altitude and longer endurance
RQ-6A Alliant Techsystems Outrider; based on the Hellfox UAV design; received designation only in 1999; first 10 (not RQ-6A) had a McCulloch 4318F engine; cancelled late 1999
RQ-7A AAI Shadow 200; short-range TUAV (Tactical UAV); operates at up to 200 kilometers behind front lines at altitudes up to 15,000 feet with 4 hours station duration. Day/night surveillance video sensors supplying near real-time information
RQ-7B AAI Shadow 200; improved with larger wings, more efficient airfoil, increased fuel capacity; upgraded RQ-7A. Modified AR-741 engine, larger wing, tail, boom. And fuel tanks to allow for reduced loiter speed and longer endurance. A day/night, adverse weather,multisensor collection system for real-time battle information
RQ-8A Northrop Grumman/Teledyne Ryan Model 379 Fire Scout; VTUAV (Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAV) based on Schweizer 330SP; provides real-time imagery, target designation
MQ-8B Northrop Grumman/Teledyne Ryan Model 379 Fire Scout; upgraded RQ-8A; improved airfoils, increased payload capacity and endurance, new four-blade main rotor, fuel tank, tail assembly, etc. to allow for a multi-mission role with the carrying and firing of ordnance
YMQ-9A General Atomics Predator B; more powerful derivative of RQ-1, turboprop-powered; prototype configuration of the MQ-9A, a medium/high altitude endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
MQ-9A General Atomics Reaper; medium to high altitude endurance unmanned aerial vehicle. Has a multiple role mission
CQ-10A MMIST SnowGoose; aerial cargo delivery UAV by Mist Mobility Integrated Systems Technology; drone aircraft employs a Para-foil air canopy, integrated with a commercially developed airborne guidance unit and engine
RQ-11A AeroVironment Raven; hand-launched, low/medium altitude, small-UAV used to provide over-the-hill and around-the-corner intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to ground troops. Developed from the Pointer OAV, but smaller; "Pathfinder" ACTD program (3300 ordered)
RQ-11B AeroVironment Raven; a modified version of the RQ-11A. High efficiency, long endurance motor, camera Pan/Tilt/Zoom and increased field of view, and Laser Illuminator.
YMQ-12A General Atomics Warrior; requested by the U.S. Army for the prototypes of the Warrior ERMP; designated as YMQ-1C instead
RQ-14A AeroVironment Dragon Eye
RQ-14B AeroVironment Dragon Eye
RQ-15A DRS Unmanned Technologies Neptune; Maritime UAV (MUAV), which is specially suited for operations over water
YRQ-16A Honeywell T-Hawk; VTOL MAV (Micro Air Vehicle), which Honeywell is developing for the U.S. Army
XMQ-17A MTC Technologies Spy Hawk; evaluated under the Marine Corps' "Tier II" UAS requirement
YMQ-18A Boeing A160T Hummingbird; at least 20 have been ordered by the U.S. Special Operations Command
XMQ-19A AAI Corp Aerosonde; multi-mission day / night unmanned aircraft that serves as a test platform for investigating promising payload and sensor technologies (Aerosonde Mark 4.4 UAV)
RQ-20A AeroVironment Puma AE (see post further below)
RQ-21A InSitu Integrator (see post further below)
XRQ-22A AeroVironment Global Observer (see post further below)

* NOTE: according to original designation system:
RQ-1A designated the whole UAV system (including ground equipment)
RQ-1B Block 1 system improvements to UAV and communications equipment
MQ-1B Block 1 system for MQ-1L
RQ-1P GCS (Ground Control System)
RQ-1Q Block 1 system GCS (Ground Control System)
RQ-1U AN/TSQ-190(V) Trojan SPIRIT II SATCOM link
RQ-1W PPSL (Predator Primary Satellite Link) latest Predator satellite link


I'm aware this second list is still incomplete, so if anybody can correct, update or add to it, feel free to do so!

Stargazer2006 said:

Q-7A Boeing 299 Flying Fortress for “Operation Crossroads”; to study impact of a nuclear explosion; redesignated as QB-17G (1946)
Q-7B Boeing 299 Flying Fortress for “Operation Crossroads”; to test missile guidance systems; redesignated as QB-17L (1950)
Q-7C Boeing 299 Flying Fortress for “Operation Crossroads”; to test missile guidance systems; redesignated as QB-17N (1950)
Q-8A Lockheed 80 Shooting Star unmanned radio version of F-80A for MX-815; redesignated as QF-80A after March 1954 (1946)
Q-8B Lockheed 80 Shooting Star converted F-80C; redesignated as QF-80C after March 1954
Q-8C Lockheed 80 Shooting Star version for MX-1841 with improved radio by Sperry Gyroscope; redesignated as QF-80F after March 1954

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The terms "... redesignated as ..." are misleading. The Q-7 and Q-8 designations were never approved in the first place. Also, the correspondence of A/B/C suffixes to specific QB-17/QF-80 variants is purely speculative.

XQ-11 “F-108 Airborne Target” WADC project for development of fighter-interceptor F-108 Rapier systems (none built, 1959)

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The XQ-11 designation wasn't approved, either.

Thanks, Andreas for clarifying. Also, I realize I omitted to mention the redesignation of the former PQ-8 and PQ-14 in this list as Q-8 and Q-14 after 1948...

Stargazer2006 said:

I'm aware this second list is still incomplete, so if anybody can correct, update or add to it, feel free to do so!

Click to expand...

- BAMS is MQ-4C
- MQ-8C: New UAV for "Fire Scout" UAS, to be based on Bell 407 airframe.
- The Q-21 slot (either RQ-21 or MQ-21) will reportedly be allocated to the Navy for the Insitu Integrator UAV. Not yet confirmed, as far as I can say.

Andreas Parsch said:

The Q-21 slot (either RQ-21 or MQ-21) will reportedly be allocated to the Navy for the Insitu Integrator UAV. Not yet confirmed, as far as I can say.

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Confirmed:
http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.PrintNewsStory&id=4887

More on the RQ-21A acquisition program and planned calendar:
http://www.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y2013/Navy/stamped/0305234M_7_PB_2013.pdf

AeroVironment RQ-20A Puma AE:

Source:
U.S. Army Places $20.4 Million Order for AeroVironment RQ-20A Puma AE Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

NOTE: picture in the article is wrong. I'm attaching images of the Puma AE.

List updated and pics added (posts above) for the latest two programs.

@Stargazer: Maybe you can add the XRQ-22A. Relevant data from DOD's MDS database:

- Contractor: AeroVironment
- Description: "Experimental persistent 24/7 unmanned aircraft that serves as a test platform for investigating flight endurances of UAVs for 7-day at 55,000 and 5-day at 65,000 feet elevation"
- Engine: "Liquid Hydrogen fueled combustion engine"

This appears to refer to the Global Observer program (-> http://www.avinc.com/uas/stratospheric/global_observer/).

Thanks Andreas. I'm sure it DOES refer to the Global Observer. I found the same reference as you a while ago. Forgot to add it above!

Andreas Parsch said:

Stargazer2006 said:

I'm aware this second list is still incomplete, so if anybody can correct, update or add to it, feel free to do so!

Click to expand...

- BAMS is MQ-4C
- MQ-8C: New UAV for "Fire Scout" UAS, to be based on Bell 407 airframe.
- The Q-21 slot (either RQ-21 or MQ-21) will reportedly be allocated to the Navy for the Insitu Integrator UAV. Not yet confirmed, as far as I can say.

Click to expand...

Regarding MQ-4C, Northrop-Grumman call it Triton
Nico

Nico said:

Regarding MQ-4C, Northrop-Grumman call it Triton

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Not just Northrop Grumman, I believe this is also the official DoD name for it:
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,16072.0

XQ-4 Radioplane RP-61 target drone built for MX-2144 program; model became AQM-35A (15 built, 1954)
XQ-4A Radioplane model developed for the improvement of the CIM-10 Bomarc's radar guidance system
XQ-4B Bendix Talos (1959)

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I think that this entry is partially incorrect and misleading. Please see the DUSRM (http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-35.html) page for a brief discussion regarding Bendix. I tend to doubt the involvement of Bendix in the Q-4 program - they could have been an airframe sub-contractor to Radioplane (which really does not make much sense) - but I know of no primary documentary evidence to prove this one way or the other.

I can offer the following:

XQ-4 Radioplane Mach 1.55 target drone designed to use the Westinghouse XJ81-WE-3 engine (imported Rolls RB93/2 (R.Sr.-2) Soar).
XQ-4A Radioplane XQ-4 designed to use the Fairchild XJ83-R-1 engine.
XQ-4B Radioplane XQ-4 redesigned to utilize the General Electric XJ85-GE-5 engine.


Some photos have been added by SDASM to their Flickr site of the XQ-4A which appear to be Radioplane images shot at Van Nuys. The XQ-4A appears to have the high aspect-ratio vertical stabilizer of the original XQ-4 with the redesigned engine nacelle also seen in the later XQ-4B.

That said, data concerning the entire Q-4 program is extremely rare and any additions would be welcomed. HTH!

Edit: correct J85 engine type from -3.

Thanks for improving the data on the Q-4 entry.
The Q-4 appears as a Radioplane and/or Bendix type depending on sources. I have no clarification for this but it seems there exists some confusion between the Radioplane RP-61 and the Bendix Talos.

The attached clipping from the Radioplane company newsletter may shed some light on how the Radioplane Q-4B and Bendix Talos stories became intertwined...

aim9xray said:

The attached clipping from the Radioplane company newsletter may shed some light on how the Radioplane Q-4B and Bendix Talos stories became intertwined...

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Thanks a lot for this scan, which indeed clarifies the confusion.
In the meantime, I came across these pics of the XQ-4A in the SDASM archives...

I am searching for a photo of perhaps the rarest member of the Firebee family, the XQ-2B. Can anybody help?

Andreas Parsch said:

@Stargazer: Maybe you can add the XRQ-22A. Relevant data from DOD's MDS database:

- Contractor: AeroVironment
- Description: "Experimental persistent 24/7 unmanned aircraft that serves as a test platform for investigating flight endurances of UAVs for 7-day at 55,000 and 5-day at 65,000 feet elevation"
- Engine: "Liquid Hydrogen fueled combustion engine"

This appears to refer to the Global Observer program (-> http://www.avinc.com/uas/stratospheric/global_observer/).

Click to expand...

I wonder if AeroVironment's new Horus A HALE / HAPS drone (also referred to as a 'high-altitude, autonomous stratospheric drone') for the United States Army is in some way a descendant of that effort?

Forest Green said:

Us Army Unveils Autonomous Drone Capable of Months-Long Surveillance Missions

US Army Unveils Autonomous Drone Capable of Months-Long Surveillance Missions

armyrecognition.com

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EDIT: Though it also seems to have been influenced by Airbus' (originally QinetiQ's) Zephyr program among other things.

Excerpted from the article:

Horus A stands out with its unparalleled performance in the stratosphere, where it can carry up to 68 kilograms (150 pounds) of equipment and provide 1.5 kW of output power. Enhanced in design, avionics, and autonomous functionality, this drone can accommodate multiple payloads and adapt to varied mission conditions, ensuring operational security through system redundancy.

These innovations have earned it a special airworthiness certification from the FAA and approval from the U.S. Army, allowing it to conduct flight tests within national airspace. The October 1 test flight confirmed Horus A’s advanced capabilities, notably its ability to function effectively in adverse weather conditions, collect and transmit real-time data, and demonstrate interoperability with other systems.

Supported by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and rapid prototyping programs, this test flight enabled the evaluation of high-precision equipment, including a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and a tactical-grade Mesh network radio.

These systems enable Horus A to gather and relay strategic information to ground units, making it indispensable for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, as well as for sustained communication operations. Additionally, Horus A integrates a Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) satellite communication system and a robust avionics suite, positioning it as a critical asset to address key U.S. defense gaps, such as resilient communications, network extension, space domain awareness, and long-endurance intelligence-gathering.

One of Horus A’s most promising applications lies in its potential to coordinate swarms of tactical drones, such as AeroVironment’s Switchblade 600. By guiding smaller armed drones, Horus A could enhance operational flexibility and precision in military missions. AeroVironment’s collaboration with SoftBank aims to further develop these platforms to support 5G connectivity, integrating advancements from the Sunglider platform into both civil and military applications. This partnership also seeks to maximize payload capacity to support continuous communication and surveillance operations, offering a flexible and cost-effective alternative to satellite coverage.

In a global competition for dominance in high-altitude drone technology, Horus A stands out for its resilience in extreme conditions and system redundancy, providing a prolonged surveillance solution in the stratosphere. Other companies, such as Airbus with the Zephyr and BAE Systems with the Phasa-35, have explored similar solutions. However, Horus A appears to have advanced further in terms of flight duration and payload capacity, making it especially suited for extended missions requiring enhanced coverage and operational resilience.

Certain challenges remain for the full deployment of Horus A, including integration into civilian airspace, management of energy autonomy over long periods, defense against cyber threats and jamming, and optimization of payloads to maximize operational efficiency. Nonetheless, Horus A’s strategic potential is evident, as it offers unprecedented surveillance and communication capabilities in critical areas for U.S. defense strategy.

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Grey Havoc said:

I wonder if AeroVironment's new Horus A HALE / HAPS drone (also referred to as a 'high-altitude, autonomous stratospheric drone') for the United States Army is in some way a descendant of that effort?

EDIT: Though it also seems to have been influenced by Airbus' (originally QinetiQ's) Zephyr program among other things.

Click to expand...

Horus-A looks like it's descended from the Pathfinder/Centurion/Helios lineage (-> Wikipedia)