NORTHROP VENTURA 'CHUKAR III'

US Navy / Air Force designation: BQM-74C, BQM-74C/Recce

Powerplant: 1 x 89 kgp Williams Intl. J400-WR-402 (WR24-7/A or 8)
replaced by 1 x 102 kgp Williams International J400-WR-404

Significant date: 1978

In 1978, the US Navy requested a still more sophisticated drone than the MQM-74C, and Northrop responded with the BQM-74C, a significantly improved derivative of the Chukar II. First tested in 1978-79 and built in quantity from 1980, it is visibly different from its predecessors, featuring a new cylindrical forward fuselage, in contrast with the tapered fuselage of its predecessors.

The BQM-74C adds air-launch capability and incorporates a a new microprocessor-based A/A37G-13 flight control system (autopilot) allowing much more complex pre-programmed flight profiles. The BQM-74C also can be air launched as well as ground launched, and is stressed for maneuvers of up to six gees. For surface launches, the BQM-74C uses two MK 117 MOD 0 solid-fuel rocket boosters. The original engine was the WR24-7A, or J400-WR-402, with 805 newtons (82 kgp / 180 lbf) thrust, but in 1986 production was upgraded to the J400-WR-404 with 1.07 kN (109 kgp / 240 lbf) thrust.

More than 1,600 BQM-74Cs have been built, including those built by Fuji Heavy Industries under license in Japan. Though Northrop envisioned the first international deployment of the type for France in 1984 (where it was to be used for anti-missile combat pilot training, simulate cruise missiles and be ground-launched against targets at sea) the export version was marketed much later as the Chukar III (now spelt Chukar 3), which has been purchased by countries such as Saudi Arabia. Northrop also a reconnaissance version of the BQM-74C with a TV camera in the nose and a video data link transmitter, ten of which were built as the BQM-74C/Recce. The reconnaissance equipment was provided as a kit, allowing rapid conversions of BQM-74Cs between target and recce configuration. Though evauated for tactical reconnaissance purposes by US Navy in the mid-1980s, this variant did not go into production. For Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the USAF acquired a small number of BQM-74C targets and modified them for use as decoys. It has been reported that these makeshift decoys significantly reduced allied losses during the opening hours of the conflict.

The BQM-74C has now been replaced in production by the BQM-74E, which is externally all but identical but incorporates the uprated J400-WR-404 engine as standard, and has a third greater range and endurance than its predecessor.

Population: over 1,600 (+10 BQM-74C/Recce derivatives)

Specs:
Wingspan: 1.76 m (5 ft. 9 in.) 5.78 ft (1.8 m)
Length: 3.95 m (12 ft. 11.5 in) — NG gives 12.95 ft. (4.0 m)
Height: 0.72 m (2 ft. 4.2 in.)
Diameter: 35.3 cm (13.9 in.)
Empty weight: 133 kg (294 lb.)
Max loaded weight (air launch): 199 kg (438 lb.)
Max loaded weight (ground launch): 233 kg (514 lb.)
— NG gives 455 lbs (206.4 kg) for Chukar 3
Launch scheme: air launch or RATO booster
Recovery scheme: parachute
Guidance system: autopilot with radio control
Navigation: GPS Way Point
Fuel: Jet Fuel (JP-4, JP-5 or JP-8)

Payload: Passive or Active Radar Augmentaion, Seeker Simulators, Infrared Augmentation, Tow Systems, Scoring Systems, Decoy and Chaff Dispensers

Performance:
Speed: > 525 Knots at Sea Level
Cruising speed: 925 km/h (500 knots)
Maximum speed: 982 km/h (610 mph / 530 kt.)
Altitude Low: 15 ft (4.6 m)
Altitude High (ceiling): 40,000 ft (12.2 km)
Endurance: 1.7 hour — NG gives 78 minutes

Range: 830 km (450 nm) — NG gives 350 nm (648.6 km)

Crew/passengers: unmanned

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