The Ryan AQM-91 Firefly, company Model 154, was a developmental reconnaissance drone created during the Vietnam War to fly long-range missions, especially deep into China, where the Lightning Bug lacked range and the U-2 had become too vulnerable to surface-to-air missiles. Ryan beat North American Aviation in an Air Force competition. The drone carried a single General Electric YJ97 engine mounted on top of the fuselage, with twin inward-canted tail fins and a flat-bottomed, sloped fuselage to reduce its radar and infrared signature. It was launched from a DC-130 Hercules, carried an optical bar camera and was recovered by helicopter in mid-air. First powered flight came in September 1968. Twenty-eight were built, including 20 production models, but improving relations with China ended the need and all were scrapped.
Facts
Engine Class Maximum Mass (kg) Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Ryan AQM-91 Firefly (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Ryan AQM-91 Firefly (Wikipedia)
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Manufactured By
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Source Ryan AQM-91 Firefly (Wikipedia)Lead, makerQuote, Lead, maker
The Ryan AQM-91 Firefly was a developmental drone developed during the Vietnam War to perform long-range reconnaissance, especially into China.
Originated In
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Source Ryan AQM-91 Firefly (Wikipedia)Lead, originQuote, Lead, origin
The Ryan AQM-91 Firefly was a developmental drone developed during the Vietnam War to perform long-range reconnaissance, especially into China.
Sources
1. Ryan AQM-91 Firefly (Wikipedia)
Design, avionics, first powered flight
first powered flight of a Model 154 did not take place until September 1968.
Development, production
Twenty-eight had been built, including 20 production models.
Lead, maker
The Ryan AQM-91 Firefly was a developmental drone developed during the Vietnam War to perform long-range reconnaissance, especially into China.
Specifications, powerplant
Powerplant: 1 × General Electric YJ97-GE-3 , 4,000 lbf (18 kN) thrust
Development, end of program
in 1973 all were put in mothballs, and scrapped a few years after that.
Specifications, empty weight
Empty weight: 3,800 lb (1,725 kg)
Specifications, gross weight
Gross weight: 5,400 lb (2,450 kg)
Lead, origin
The Ryan AQM-91 Firefly was a developmental drone developed during the Vietnam War to perform long-range reconnaissance, especially into China.
Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, air vehicle
The Ryan AQM-91 Firefly was a developmental drone developed during the Vietnam War to perform long-range reconnaissance, especially into China.
In Group: Observation and Liaison Aircraft, Lead, kind of aircraft
The Ryan AQM-91 Firefly was a developmental drone developed during the Vietnam War to perform long-range reconnaissance, especially into China.
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