BQM-74F Aerial Target

The BQM-74F Aerial Target is a high-performance unmanned aerial target system developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Navy under the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) program. Building upon the proven BQM-74E, the BQM-74F enhances speed, range, maneuverability, endurance, and payload capacity while retaining the portability and deployability of the original system.

Designed to realistically replicate modern cruise missile threats, the BQM-74F features advanced GPS/INS navigation, flexible mission planning, programmable waypoint navigation, and aggressive low-altitude maneuvering. A more powerful 300-lb-thrust engine, upgraded aerodynamics with swept wings and tail surfaces, and advanced command-and-control capabilities enable highly realistic threat simulations for air defense training and weapons evaluation.

The platform supports real-time mission updates, pre-programmed and user-defined weave maneuvers, and six preloaded missions containing up to 70 waypoints each, making it one of the most capable cruise missile surrogate targets in service.