RFI Attachment 3 MQM-171 Demonstrated Performance.pdf

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Air Defense Artillery - Targets (ADA-T)
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PANORL-26-P-0000-026878
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This is a Demonstrated Technical Performance document for the MQM-171 Unmanned Aircraft System – Target (UAS-T) aerial target system, dated 18 January 2021. The document certifies that the MQM-171A/B UAS-T design and prototypes have met all threshold requirements specified in the Operational Requirements Document for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Target (Revision 1, 25 August 2003). The system is designed for Department of Defense testing and weapon system evaluation purposes.

The MQM-171 UAS-T air vehicle features a 5.2-meter wing span and 4.2-meter overall length with a fuselage diameter of 0.45 to 0.51 meters, powered by a 3W Modellmotoren 684i B4 pusher propeller. The system operates with a minimum cruise airspeed of 60 knots and maximum of 115.5 knots true airspeed, with an altitude ceiling of 13,800 feet MSL. Minimum operating altitude is less than 100 feet above ground level under manual control and less than 1,000 feet under autopilot control. The system provides a minimum loiter endurance of one hour at operational altitude with approximately 1.5 hours total flight time, extendable with auxiliary fuel tanks. Control slant range capabilities include 5 kilometers under manual control, 25 kilometers under Piccolo ground station control, 50 kilometers under TTCS-U control with range repeater stations, and unlimited range with SATCOM modem augmentation. The air vehicle accommodates payloads up to 15 pounds requiring 28-volt DC electrical power, supports multiple launch and recovery methods including pneumatic launch and both skid and parachute landing options, and features low inherent infrared signature and radar cross section characteristics. Navigation accuracy specifications include ±100 feet altitude, ±10 knots airspeed, and ±3 degrees heading, with primary and secondary data links operating on 380-400 MHz and 900 MHz respectively.

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MQM-171

Unmanned Aircraft System – Target

(UAS-T)

Aerial Target

Demonstrated Performance

18 January 2021

MQM-171 Demonstrated Technical Performance

The design and prototypes for the MQM-171A/B UAS-T system have been demonstrated to meet all threshold requirements for a UAS-T specified in the Operational Requirements Document for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Target (Revision 1), 25 Aug 03. The MQM-171 UAS- T air vehicle, ground control equipment, and systems components are detailed in the Griffon Aerospace drawing set 030-xxxxx. Essential physical size, operational characteristics, flight performance characteristics, and air vehicle control techniques include:

Minimum Operating Altitude: <100 ft AGL under manual control 1

<1000 ft AGL under autopilot control 1

Altitude Ceiling: 13,800 ft MSL 1

Minimum Cruise Airspeed: 60 knots true airspeed (KTAS) 1

Maximum Cruise Airspeed: 115.5 KTAS 1

Minimum Air Vehicle Control 5 Km under manual control 1 Slant Range: 25 Km under Piccolo ground station control 1

50 Km under TTCS-U control with range repeater stations 1

Unlimited when operated under SATCOM modem augmentation to the Piccolo autopilot system

Wing Span: 5.2 m 1

Overall Length: 4.2 m 1

Fuselage Diameter: 0.45 – 0.51 m 1

Propulsion Configuration: 3W Modellmotoren 684i B4, or equivalent, pusher prop 1

Loiter Endurance: Minimum of 1 hr at operational altitude and range (≈1.5 hr total flight time) 1

Extendable with installation of auxiliary fuel tanks

Infrared Signature: Low inherent infrared signature. 2

Radar Frequency Signature: Low inherent radar cross section.3

Visual Signature: As depicted in Griffon Aerospace, Inc., drawing

030-010000

Air Vehicle Payload: Capability of the air vehicle to accommodate onboard payload packages such as proximity scoring devices, identification friend or foe transponder, etc., weighing up to 15 pounds and requiring 28 volt dc electrical power. 4

Flight Termination: Manual landing, skid landing 1 Emergency parachute recovery system 1 Autopilot programmable for loss of link or loss of power options 1

Launch: Pneumatic launch 1

Recovery: Skid landing under manual control 1

Parachute landing under commanded or autopilot control 1

Operational Control: Manual control within line of site 1

Autopilot control beyond line of site Cloudcap Piccolo autopilot, or equivalent 1 TTCS-U compatible autopilot operation 1

Over-the-Horizon beyond line of site control using Cloudcap Piccolo II autopilot and and SATCOM modem

Navigation Accuracy: Altitude +/- 100 ft 1

Airspeed +/- 10 knots 1 Heading +/- 3° 1

Data Link: 380 – 400 MHz primary data link 1

900 MHz secondary data link 1

1 The physical appearance, flight performance, and mission control parameters of the MQM-171 target system are well defined for use in Department of Defense testing. Adjustments could result in significant impacts on the planning or execution of test programs for Department of Defense weapon systems under development.

2 Weapon system infrared seekers are sensitive to the heat signature provided by a target system.

Any adjustments to the primary sources of heat in the air vehicle, i.e., engine, batteries, avionic components, may effect the infrared signature of the air vehicle and impact seeker capabilities.

3 Radar cross section of both fiberglass and carbon versions of the MQM-171A/B, air vehicle were measured at Point Mugu, CA, Radar Reflectivity Laboratory in June 2007 and are on file at the Threat Systems Management Office.

4 Air Vehicle Payload. The provisions for space, weight, and power to accommodate a payload on the air vehicle provide for integration of Government owned range scoring, tracking, and emergency flight termination equipment, such as those listed in the “Compendium of Target Systems” into the air vehicle.

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .