Seek Spinner

Cancelled 1986. Multi-purpose drone, USAF. Other code names 'Pave Cricket' / 'Brave Tiger' / 'Brave Zoo'. Also YGM-121B version.

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Boeing CQM/CGM-121 Pave Tiger/Seek Spinner

In early 1983, Boeing received a development contract for the YCQM-121A Pave Tiger drone. The Pave Tiger program was begun to develop an expendable mini-drone to supress enemy air-defense systems. 14 YCQM-121A vehicles were built and flight-tested during 1983/84, but the Pave Tiger program was terminated in late 1984.

The YCQM-121A was a small drone powered by a two-stroke piston engine, and was stored and transported in launch containers with 15 individual missile cells. To lauch a drone, the doors of a cell were dropped, a rail with the air vehicle was extended, the wings were unfolded, and the drone was launched with the assist of a solid-propellant rocket booster. The YCQM-121A flew a preprogrammed mission using its microprocessor-based navigation system. It could carry sensors and ECM equipment to detect and harass air-defense units, and could also be equipped with a warhead to destroy a detected threat.

In 1987, the Air Force was directed to evaluate an upgraded version of the YCQM-121A under the Seek Spinner program. The resulting YCGM-121B vehicle was specifically designed to seek and destroy enemy air-defense radars, and was considered as a low-cost alternative to the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow then in development. The YCGM-121B was flight tested in the 1987/89 time frame, and had the ability to loiter over a designated target area until a radar emitter was detected. The Seek Spinner program was cancelled in 1989, but the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow was later cancelled, too.

In the late 1980s, Boeing marketed their BRAVE (Boeing Robotic Air Vehicle) 200 system, which was based on the Pave Tiger/Seek Spinner drones. However, the BRAVE 200 was apparently not procured by any military customer. Another variant of this drone family was evaluated by the USAF as CEM-138 Pave Cricket.

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

Data for YCQM-121A, YCGM-121B:

[1] Kenneth Munson: "World Unmanned Aircraft", Jane's, 1988
[2] YCGM-121B BRAVE 200 "Seek Spinner" at U.S. Air Force Museum Website

Liftoff Thrust: 127 N (28 lbf). Total Mass: 127 kg (279 lb). Core Diameter: 0.37 m (1.21 ft). Total Length: 2.13 m (6.98 ft). Span: 2.56 m (8.39 ft). Maximum range: 610 km (370 mi). Boost engine: Reciprocating. Guidance: Command Link. Maximum speed: 190 kph (110 mph). Ceiling: 3,500 m (11,400 ft). Flyaway Unit Cost $: 0.008 million.