AQM-37C Missile Target

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AQM-37C MISSILE TARGET

The AQM-37C missile target is a realistic simulation of offensive missile and aircraft threats. It is used to conduct weapons systems evaluation, operationally train air-to-air missile crews, and exercise missile weapons systems. The AQM-37C missile target is an expendable, rocket-powered missile target capable of flying at various altitudes and cruise speeds. The target is designed for straight-and-level flight at selectable speeds from Mach 0.7 to Mach 4.0 at cruise altitudes of 1,000 to 100,000 feet, with a maximum range of approximately 155 nautical miles. The AQM-37C is an air-launched target. It is launched from both carrier- and land-based aircraft. The launcher carries the target as an external store. The target's mission profile is determined by launch altitude, speed, and heading. This profile has controlled rocket engine thrust, cruise altitudes, and flight time parameters preset by ground crew personnel before flight. The target is equipped with a gyro-referenced autopilot, radar augmentation, infrared augmentation, antennas, and an aerodynamic destruct system for flight termination. It is powered by the LR-64 liquid propellant rocket engine, which is a self-contained propulsion system. The maximum weight of the target, including radar augmentation, IR flares, and scorer, is 559 pounds.

Aerodynamic Destruct System

The AQM-37C missile target's aerodynamic destruct system causes the target to enter a spiral dive to impact. This prevents the target from becoming a hazard to other aircraft or impacting the ground in undesired areas. Any one of four conditions activates the destruct system:

1. Flight timer setting (ground adjustable at 2-minute intervals after 4minutes of flight time have elapsed)

2. Off-course flight (more than 10-degree heading deviation) for a period of 30 seconds or longer

3. Loss of electrical power or low-battery voltage

4. 12.5 seconds after jettison from the launching aircraft For further details concerning the AQM-37C missile target, you should refer to Manual Operational Mission Planning Guide for Navy Model AQM-37C Missile Target, NAVAIR 01-90TBA-1T. Procedures for loading/unloading of the AQM-37C are contained in the appropriate aircraft airborne weapons/storesloading manual.

Scoring System

The AQM-37C missile target contains the antennas and necessary interconnecting cables for the installation of the AN/DRQ-4 transponder. The primary purpose of the transponder is to receive a frequency-modulated signal from the missile, convert the signal to a new center frequency-modulated signal, and transmit the new signal to the miss-distance measuring system ground station. The ground station receiver compares the shifted frequency of the target signal with the reference frequency of the strike missile signal. The outputs from the ground station accurately measure the miss distance between the target and the missile. The transponder is installed only in a target that is used for a surface-to-air missile with a telemetering head. The transponder is not used in an air-to-air weapons system. Only one telemetering missile at a time should be shot at a target. After the first missile has destructed, a second shot may be attempted if the target was not destroyed.