The introduction
and significant development of the Ryan Model 147 Lightning Bug over the course
of its lifecycle proved to be one of the most successful programs prior to
1970. The scope of the drone’s employment in wartime operational missions, testing
and experiments, and variety of payloads it carried has a parallel to how the
U.S. military employs its current fleet of Predators and Reapers.
The BQM-34A
Firebee target drones, and the more advanced Ryan Model 147 Lightning Bug, were
one of the “most successful and versatile unmanned aircraft developed so far”
(Parsch, 2003). The history of its used spanned 50 years of service and 28
different variants that ranged from subsonic and supersonic target drones, to
reconnaissance aircraft capable of electronic, imagery, signals and measurement
signals intelligence, to attack and multi mission remotely piloted vehicles (Blom,
2010; Parsch, 2003 & Bie, 2106).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXv-bG2qiKQKu6lM-H2yCB0hh-JkU4kA2oxYHq7IfAZ-IjAzJmKGHdKJ0buTRyrhDSBy5zedpb9v5KHkAnaCLtuNtlVKu0yK5HiGlWWjfRxuE-fRs8TxanCNlxXtGs04Z81f-G6ISBPnU/s200/mq1_predator.jpg)
The two systems
are alike because they use some of the same sensor and weapon payload concepts.
Both use signals, photographic and real-time imagery (electro-optical,
infrared, low light television), and radar payloads to provide intelligence and
targeting information (Blom, 2010). In addition, the Model 147 was the first
real remotely piloted vehicle tested for a tactical combat role (Blom, 2010).
It successfully demonstrated the use of air-to-ground missiles, bombs and a
laser designator that is very much similar to how the Predator/Reaper employs weapons
today (Blom, 2010). As the Model 147 program progressed, datalinks were
developed to relay real-time information back to the parent DC-130 aircraft (Blom,
2010). This is striking similar to how the current Predator/Reaper operate. Although
today, it can be done much faster and farther away with satellite
communications. (Blom, 2010).
Some of the major
differences between the Firebee/Model 147 and the Predator/Reaper are navigation/guidance,
propulsion, aircraft control, communications, and take-off/landing systems. The
Firebee/Model 147 used gyroscopes, doppler radar, radar altimeter control, barometric
altitude control, and LORAN navigation systems (Parsch, 2003; Blom, 2010;
Goebel, 2004). The Predator/Reaper on the other hand, uses triple redundant/fault
tolerate global positioning, inertial navigation and autopilot control systems (USAF,
2015a & USAF, 2015b). There is a big difference in the types of propulsion
systems used. The Firebee/Model 147 strictly used turbojet engines, while the
Predator uses turbocharged four cylinder engine and the Reaper uses a turbine
engine (Parsch, 2003; Blom, 2010; USAF, 2015a & USAF, 2015b). The
difference in speed is very apparent as well as the range at which they can
stay aloft with these types of propulsion systems. The lower power and lower
fuel consumption engines in the Predator/Reaper were designed with max
endurance in mind, whereas the Firebee was designed for quick penetration and
recovery. The Firebee/Model 147 was mainly executed with autonomous preplanned
missions that would terminate at safe recovery points (Parsch, 2003). The Model
147NQ demonstrated the first use of line of sight (LOS) radio frequency control
from an airborne DC-130 (Goebel, 2004). The airborne control station was
beneficial because it allowed control from greater ranges. The Predator/Reaper are
remotely piloted from a ground control stations and routinely use LOS links for
take-off/landing and satellite communication links for transits to the mission area
(Parsch, 2003; Blom, 2010; USAF, 2015a & USAF, 2015b). Once the mission is
completed the process is executed in reverse. There were some subtle
differences in payload as well. Electronic countermeasures and
measurement/signals intelligence were additional payloads for the Model 147
that the Predator/Reaper does not carry (Parsch, 2003). The Predator/Reaper can
take-off and land at a traditional airfield, while the Firebee/Model 147 relied
on a DC-130 for launching and a helicopter for recovery. The Navy operated the
Model 147SK slightly different than the Air Force by utilizing rockets to
launch it from a ship. After launch, the aircraft would be controlled via LOS
links from a nearby E-2A Hawkeye for initial flight before being turned over to
autonomous navigation for mission execution (Goebel, 2004).
Several
differences exist between these two UASs that were representative of the
technology available at the time and the missions for which they were built to perform.
The Model 147 evolved into different variants and sometimes included a mix of
more powerful engines, longer/shorter wings, longer fuselages, and different
payloads (Blom, 2010; Bie, 2016; Parsch, 2003; Goebel, 2004). It was truly a
multi-mission aircraft that saw new variants with new payloads. The Reaper is a
direct descendant of the Predator. It was designed with increased weapon
capacity and a more powerful engine compensate for Predator’s limited ability
to perform expanding strike roles.
Although these systems did not come directly
from each other, the Predator/Reaper most certainly benefited from the
research, testing and development that occurred with the Model 147 program. Future
UAS will benefit from the successes of the X-47B, which saw the development of
algorithms capable of performing harder tasks such as: carrier landings and
airborne refueling. The next era of UAS will focus on automation in air-to-air
engagements. The outcome of that project, combined with previous achievements,
will pave the way forward for a UAS that is capable of the highest form of
automation.
References:
Bie, Rob de.
(2016). Teledyne-Ryan AQM-34 Firebee RPV. Retrieved from
https://robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/aqm34.htm
Blom, J.D. (2010). Unmanned aerial systems: a historical perspective (Occasional Paper 37). Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press, US Army Combined Arms Center. Retrieved from http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/download/csipubs/OP37.pdf
Blom, J.D. (2010). Unmanned aerial systems: a historical perspective (Occasional Paper 37). Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press, US Army Combined Arms Center. Retrieved from http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/download/csipubs/OP37.pdf
Goebel, Greg.
(2004). The Lightning Bug Reconnaissance Drones. Retrieved from
http://craymond.no-ip.info/awk/index.html
Parsch, Andreas.
(2003). Teledyne Ryan Q-2/KDA/xQM-34/BGM-34 Firebee. Retrieved from http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-34.html
USAF. (2015a).
MQ-1B Predator Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104469/mq-1b-predator.aspx
USAF. (2015b).
MQ-9 Reaper Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104470/mq-9-reaper.aspx
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