Fairchild BQ-3

The Fairchild BQ-3, also called the Model 79, was an early expendable unmanned aerial vehicle, then known as an assault drone, that Fairchild Aircraft developed from its AT-21 Gunner advanced trainer during the Second World War for the United States Army Air Forces. Development began in October 1942, and Fairchild received a contract for two XBQ-3 prototypes. The twin-engined low-wing aircraft had retractable tricycle landing gear, a twin-finned tail, two Ranger V-770 inline piston engines of 520 horsepower each and room for up to 4,000 pounds of explosives, with a two-seat cockpit for testing and ferry flights. The first flight took place in July 1944, but the concept offered no advantage over conventional bombers, guided missiles were making it obsolete, and the program was cancelled late in 1944.