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BQM-34 Firebee
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Photo: Robert
Deering 10/18/2012 National Museum of the USAF Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO) Dayton, Ohio |
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The Firebee,
originally designated the Q-2, was a
high-speed target drone for both
surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. It
was used primarily for the testing of
newly-developed missiles and for the
training of fighter-interceptor pilots whose
aircraft were armed with missiles.
Capable of being launched from the ground or from an airplane in flight, the Firebee is radio-controlled during its mission by an operator on the ground. Upon being hit by a missile and disabled, or upon completing its mission undamaged, the Firebee is lowered safely to earth by a self-contained parachute. The Firebee on display, the first XQ-2C built and flown, established a record of 25 flights at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., from 1958 to 1960. It was obtained from Ryan in May 1960. |
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