BQM-34 Firebee

The BQM-34 Firebee is a high-performance unmanned aerial target system developed by Northrop Grumman to simulate enemy aircraft and missile threats during military training, weapons testing, and operational evaluation. Designed for realistic threat replication, the platform supports air defense readiness, air-to-air combat training, and the development and evaluation of weapon systems.

Powered by a high-thrust engine and equipped with an advanced microprocessor-based flight control system, Firebee delivers high-speed, high-maneuverability performance across a broad operational envelope. The aircraft is capable of flying at speeds up to Mach 0.97, performing 7-g maneuvers, operating from 10 ft (3 m) above sea level to 60,000 ft (18,288 m), and surviving repeated training missions despite near misses or non-critical damage.

Its rugged airframe and modular mission augmentation systems also allow the platform to be adapted for specialized tactical UAV missions beyond its primary aerial target role. Having served U.S. military forces for more than five decades, the Firebee remains one of the world’s most proven and widely used high-performance aerial target systems.