The Ryan Firebee is a series of jet-propelled target drones developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951, one of the first jet drones and one of the most widely used target drones ever built. The first generation grew from a 1948 United States Air Force request for a jet-powered gunnery target; the prototype XQ-2 flew in early 1951 and entered service as the Q-2A with a Continental J69 turbojet, while the Navy bought it as the KDA-1 with a Fairchild J44. Drones could be air-launched from a modified carrier aircraft, and the Royal Canadian Air Force flew thirty KDA-4 examples to test weapons for the CF-100 and Arrow. A larger second-generation Model 124, redesignated BQM-34A in 1963, became the Firebee as it is known today and spawned many variants and the Model 147 reconnaissance drones.
Facts
Engine Class Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Ryan Firebee (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Ryan Firebee (Wikipedia)
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Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source Ryan Firebee (Wikipedia)Lead, makerQuote, Lead, maker
The Ryan Firebee is a series of target drones developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951.
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Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source Ryan Firebee (Wikipedia)Lead, originQuote, Lead, origin
The Ryan Firebee is a series of target drones developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951.
Sources
1. Ryan Firebee (Wikipedia)
Development, Firebee I, first flight
The first flight of the XQ-2 Firebee prototype took place in early 1951.
Lead, maker
The Ryan Firebee is a series of target drones developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951.
Development, Firebee I, engine
powered by a Continental J69-T-19B turbojet engine with 1,060 pounds-force (4.7 kN) of thrust
Lead, status
remains one of the most widely used target drones ever built.
Lead, origin
The Ryan Firebee is a series of target drones developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951.
Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, air vehicle
The Ryan Firebee is a series of target drones developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951.
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