MQM-107 Streaker
| MQM-107 Streaker | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| MQM-107E in flight. | |
| Role | Unmanned target drone |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft |
| First flight | 1974 |
| Introduction | 1984 |
| Status | Active service Production complete |
| Primary user |
United States Air Force United States Army |
| Number built | 2,236 |
The MQM-107 Streaker is a reusable, turbojet powered, target towing drone primarily used by the United States Army and the United States Air Force for testing and training. The US Army uses the drone for testing various surface-to-air missile systems such as the FIM-92 Stinger and the MIM-104 Patriot. The USAF uses them in practice engagements for their air-to-air missiles like the AIM-9 Sidewinder and the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
The MQM-107 was originally developed by Beech Aircraft for the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command's 1972 Variable Speed Training Target (VSTT) requirement. It was announced as the winner in 1975, and the Army took delivery of the original model (the MQM-107A) until 1979. Over the next two decades, several updated variants of the Streaker were introduced with different engines and payloads.
The MQM-107 is designed as a high-subsonic target drone, featuring a slight sweep in the wings and a centerline mounted turbojet engine. The drone is launched from the ground with a rocket booster accelerating it until the jet engine takes over. It can be recovered by parachute and reused.
The Streaker is generally designed to operate as a tow vehicle for missile and gun targets. The aircraft can carry either radar or infrared tow targets for missile training, as well as a square banner with an enhanced radar signature for gunnery training. Flare and/or chaff pods can be carried as well.
Production of the MQM-107 ended in 2003, and the current inventory is being phased out in favor of its replacement, the BQM-167 Skeeter.
In 2012, it was reported that North Korea had acquired several MQM-107D aircraft second-hand from a Middle Eastern country, and the following year revealed an indigenous target drone type believed to be based on the Streaker.
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