Raptors take out aerial targets in missile
tests
Published May 02, 2017
The F-22 completed operational tests of
air-to-air missiles against an aerial target April 18 at the
Utah Test and Training Range as part of a major capability upgrade.
The Raptors launched inert AIM-9 and AIM-120
missiles against multiple BQM-167A sub-scale aerial targets, marking a
significant effort along the 3.2B initial operational test and evaluation
upgrade timeline. The jets are assigned to the 411th Flight Test Squadron,
412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif.
A team from the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron
deployed from the 53d Weapons Evaluation Group to provide the flying targets in
the missile tests.
"We deployed a group of 15 active duty
members, government civilians and contractors to launch, fly and recover up to
eight BQM-167A targets over three days,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Garrison, 82nd
ATRS commander.
The 3.2B modernization update to the F-22 is
the jet’s biggest capability upgrade since reaching Initial Operating
Capability in December 2005. Once fielded, it will add capability boosts to
U.S. Air Force air superiority and further support coalition efforts downrange.
"Because we are the only Air Force unit
with the aerial target mission, we take our responsibility for developmental
and operational flight testers very serious, including deployments to meet them
on their local ranges," said Garrison.
The 3.2B incremental upgrade is projected for
IOT&E through Spring 2018.
The 82nd ATRS is a geographically separated
unit of the 53rd Wing headquartered here. As the sole operational test wing for
the U.S. Air Force, the 53rd Wing develops, test, evaluates, and delivers
effective and sustainable combat capabilities to perfect lethality and
survivability of the nation’s combat forces.
Original post: eglin.af.mil
BQM-167A sub-scale aerial targets
Specifications
Note: Data given by
several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be
inaccurate!
Data for BQM-167A:
|
Length
|
6.1 m (20 ft)
|
|
Wingspan
|
3.3 m (11 ft)
|
|
Diameter
|
61 cm (24 in)
|
|
Weight
|
?
|
|
Speed
|
Mach 0.91
|
|
Ceiling
|
15000 m (50000 ft)
|
|
Endurance
|
3 hours
|
|
Propulsion
|
Microturbo Tri 60-5+ turbojet
|
Source: designation-systems.net
Related post:
F-22 Raptor: Details
No comments:
Post a Comment