Firebee AQM-103 Credit - via Andreas Parsch

Modified TRA 147G

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Teledyne Ryan AQM-103 Firebee

In 1974, the U.S. Air Force's FDL (Flight Dynamics Laboratory) converted a single Ryan Model 147G Firebee reconnaissance drone to a high-manoeuverability testbed known as "FDL-23". The structure of the FDL-23 was modified to withstand 10g, and the designation XQM-103A was allocated.

The XQM-103A made a few test flights, which were generally considered successful. The drone could maintain constant altitude turns at 6g, and three-axis control was found identical to that of then current manned aircraft. However, when all tactical RPV programs were curtailed in late 1975, the XQM-103A flight test program was also terminated. The final designation of the drone was XAQM-103A, but the change probably wasn't effective before the end of the program.

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

Data for XQM-103A (based on Model 147G airframe):

[1] William Wagner, William P. Sloan: "Fireflies and other UAVs", Midland Publishing, 1992
[2] Kenneth Munson: "World Unmanned Aircraft", Jane's, 1988

Manufacturer: USAF FDL/Teledyne-Ryan. Total Mass: 1,130 kg (2,490 lb). Core Diameter: 0.95 m (3.11 ft). Total Length: 8.69 m (28.51 ft). Span: 4.42 m (14.50 ft). Maximum range: 1,290 km (800 mi). Boost Propulsion: Turbojet. Guidance: Command Link. Maximum speed: 1,110 kph (680 mph).