Kratos BQM-177
| BQM-177 | |
|---|---|
| |
| BQM-177 being launched during a live fire test in 2022. | |
| Role | Unmanned target drone |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Kratos Defense & Security Solutions |
| Introduction | 27 February 2019[1] |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Developed from | Composite Engineering BQM-167 Skeeter |
The Kratos BQM-177 is a subsonic aerial target drone (SSAT) for emulating anti-ship cruise missiles. It was developed by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and is currently operated by the United States Navy as the BQM-177A.[2] The variant intended for international customers is designated BQM-177i.[3]
The BQM-177 is used by the US Navy to evaluate ship missile and air defense systems such as Aegis, SM-2 or SM-6.[4]
Operational history
[edit]The first BQM-177A was delivered to the US Navy in June 2018 as part of a low-rate initial production phase 1 contract, with early testing starting in July.[3] The drone reached initial operational capability in February 2019[1]. Full operational capability was achieved in 2022[4].
A contract awarded to Kratos in 2019 for low-rate initial production of 34 BQM-177A for a cost of $25.4 million[5], which was followed by subsequent contracts in 2020 of full rate production of 35 and 48 drone for $29.2 million and $38.7 million respectively.[6] In 2021, a contract to provide 65 BQM-177A for $50.9 million included an allocation of seven drones for the government of Japan and eight for the government of Saudi Arabia.[7] This was followed by a fourth full rate production contract for 55 vehicles for $49.5 million in 2023, again for the US Navy.[8]
Operators
[edit]
United States
Japan
Saudi Arabia
Specifications
[edit]Data from
• Kratos Defense data sheet[10]
General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Length: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
- Wingspan: 7 ft 0 in (2.1 m)
- Empty weight: 620 lb (281 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 63 gal
- Powerplant: 1 × MicroTurbo Tri 60-5+ turbojet, 1,000 lbf (4.4 kN) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.95
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Kratos High Performance Target Drone System, BQM-177A Achieves IOC with US Navy". Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Navy Completes First BQM-177A Target Intercept during Missile Launch". United States Navy. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ a b "BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target". Airforce Technology. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Aerial Targets" (PDF). Congress.gov. Congressional Research Service. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. "10-K Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ended December 29, 2019". SEC.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. "10-K Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 2020". SEC.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. "10-K Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ended December 26, 2021". SEC.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. "10-K Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ended December 25, 2022" (PDF). SEC.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ a b Joe Saballa (30 December 2021). "Kratos to Supply 65 Aerial Target Drones to US Navy, Allies". The Defense Post. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ "BQ -177A High Performance Aerial Target" (PDF). Kratos Defense. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
External links
[edit]
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