Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Orbital Sciences GQM-163 SSST

Following the cancellation of the AQM-127 SLAT (Supersonic Low-Altitude Target) in 1991, the U.S. Navy had to continue its quest for a replacement for the aging MQM-8 Vandal targets in the role of anti-ship cruise missile threat simulator. In the late 1990s, the Navy evaluated the Boeing/Zvezda MA-31 (a derivative of Zvezda's Kh-31 (AS-17 Krypton) anti-ship missile) as an interim SSST (Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target. However, the MA-31 was not selected for large scale production, and the Navy opted for the procurement of a new SSST instead. In June 2000, Orbital Sciences was awarded a contract for development of the GQM-163A non-recoverable target vehicle.

The GQM-163A is launched from the ground with the help of a Hercules MK 12 rocket booster (left over from obsolete RIM-67A Standard ER missiles). The sustainer propulsion system consists of an Atlantic Research Corporation MARC-R-282 solid-fueled ducted rocket/ramjet engine, which can propel the SSST to speeds of up to Mach 2.5 at sea level. In the terminal approach phase, the GQM-163A will fly at Mach 2.3 at 4 m (13 ft) altitude. To save costs, the missile's flight control avionics and its front end structure are taken from the AQM-37D target.

The current plans call for production of six GQM-163A SSST test vehicles, which are to begin flight tests in spring 2003. If the tests are successful, up to 90 production targets may be ordered, with an Initial Operational Capability planned for mid-2004.

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

Data for GQM-163A:

[1] Orbital Sciences Website

Manufacturer: Orbital Sciences.