BQM-167.

Описание: The BQM-167 is an aerial target drone used by the United States Air Force (USAF) to train fighter pilots, test weapons systems, and conduct air combat simulations. It was developed by Composite Engineering Inc. (CEi), which later became part of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions.

Main Description of the BQM-167

1. Function

Used as a Full-Scale Aerial Target (FSAT), a training target that mimics the characteristics of enemy fighter aircraft.
Assists in testing air-to-air missiles and air defense systems, as well as training pilot combat tactics.

2. *Design & Performance*

*Length:* approximately 6 meters
*Wingspan:* approximately 3 meters
*Weight:* approximately 280 kg (without fuel)
*Engine:* Microturbo Tri 60-5 turbojet, providing speeds up to **Mach 0.9 (near supersonic)**.
*Flight range:* over 1,800 km, depending on mission profile.
*Operational altitude:* 50 feet (15 m) to 50,000 feet (15 km).

3. *Capabilities*

Can be equipped with enhancements such as radar enhancers, infrared (IR) emitters, or electronic countermeasure pods to more realistically simulate enemy aircraft threats.
Launched using a rail launch system with rocket boosters and can be parachuted for reuse. * Capable of maneuvering with forces up to 9G, making it quite challenging for pilots to handle in training.

4. *Operational*

First deployed by the USAF in *2007* to replace the legacy *BQM-34 Firebee* drone.
Fully controllable from the ground using a control system, for both single and formation missions.

Summary

The BQM-167 is a modern-generation target drone with high speed, agile maneuverability, and flexibility in threat configurations. Its presence makes USAF air combat training more realistic, allowing pilots to encounter scenarios closer to real-world combat conditions.