Teledyne Ryan AQM-34L FIREBEE

The AQM-34L was developed in the late 1960s from the BQM-34A target drone as a low altitude photographic reconnaissance drone.  They were launched and controlled from the DC-130 Hercules and were extensively used over North Vietnam.  Once the drone had completed its mission it would be directed to a safe area usually over water, where the engine would shut down and a large parachute would deploy.  There were two methods of recovery at that point.  First, it could simply be recovered from the water, but this was not preferred due to the damage saltwater would do to the drone’s systems.  The second, preferred method was to use a helicopter equipped with a special hook system to grab the drone out of the air.

Wingspan

13 ft

Length

29 ft

Height

6 ft 8 in.

Weight

3,200 lbs (loaded)

Maximum Speed

645 mph

Service Ceiling

50,000 ft

Range

750 miles

Engines

One Teledyne Continental J-69 turbojet with 1,920 pounds of thrust

Manufacturer
TELEDYNE

Markings
432nd Tactical Drone Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, 1978

Designation
AQM-34L FIREBEE

Registration
N790WL

Serial Number
69-0432

Pima Air & Space Museum

Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.

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520-574-0462

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