An AQM-34M (Model 147SD) Buffalo Hunter mounted on a ground handling cart undergoes electronics checks before a mission at U-Tapao in Thailand in the early 1970s. The Thai base was home to both the largest and the smallest assets - the B-52Ds in the background and the Ryan drones respectively - in SAC’s inventory.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress - СШАUSA - 1955Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

Boeing RB-47H serial 53-4296 was one of two examples assigned to Project Long Arm, essentially a test programme to assess the ability of drones to collect ELINT in a high-threat environment and relay it to an aircraft loitering in relative safety nearby. The result was Projects Left Hook and United Effort in Vietnam during 1965-66.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-47 Stratojet - СШАUSA - 1947

The AQM-34L/TV (Model 147SC/TV), a low-altitude SC Buffalo Hunter with a video camera and line-of-sight datalink, was introduced in June 1972, completing 121 operational missions in south-east Asia. This variant flew the last drone mission before hostilities ceased in Vietnam, and was used in 1973 for monitoring the peace.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

A Model 147SC/TV suspended beneath the wing of a DC-130. The latter was fitted with two drone-launch stations outboard of the outer engines and a drone compartment aft of the cockpit, accommodating two Launch Control Officers, an Airborne Recovery Control Officer and a radar technician who monitored the MCGS suite.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

A Lockheed DC-130 takes off with a pair of AQM-34Ms (Ryan Model 147Ds) on its outer wing pylons.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

The AQM-34M(L), a Model 147SDL with LORAN navigation equipment, was first fielded in August 1972 to address some of the navigational inaccuracies of the Model 147. This example, M-42L, seen mounted on the outer pylon of a DC-130 (with another good view of the additional MCGS radome on its nose) has six parachute markings on the fuselage above its wings, denoting six successful operational missions.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

A technician inspects a dark-painted Ryan Model 147J mounted on the wing of a DC-130 at Bien Hda in April 1966, the month the 147J - essentially a 147G optimised for low-altitude work - began operations in south-east Asia. Between April 1966 and November 1967 the 147J flew a total of 94 sorties with a 65 per cent recovery rate.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

A DC-130 departs on another Lightning Bug mission. Visible on the nose of the DC-130 is the smaller radome for the Microwave Command Guidance System (MCGS) that enabled in-flight control of the drone

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

В полете разведывательный БПЛА AQM-34 «Файрби». Вьетнам, середина 1960-х гг.
Teledyne Ryan Model 147SC (AQM-34L) shortly after launch from its DC-130E director aircraft
Grim determination - AQM-34L (Ryan Model 147SC) Tom Cat of the 556th Reconnaissance Sqn (RS) flew 68 missions over North Vietnam before it was lost to anti-aircraft fire over Hanoi.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

The Ryan Q-2C (Ryan Model 124) differed substantially from its Q-2A predecessor, with the air intake for the Continental J69 turbojet relocated to a “chin” position beneath a pointed nose. The subsonic (maximum speed Mach 0-96) Q-2C went into production in 1960 and was developed into the Model 147 reconnaissance variant in early 1962.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

THE FIREBEE PROJECT was initiated in 1948 as a USAF contract with Ryan for a jet-powered gunnery-target drone. The first flight of the XQ-2 Firebee prototype took place in early 1951, with the drone having the option to be air-launched or ground-launched with booster rockets.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

Lockheed U-2R serial 68-10340 taxies out for a mission from Bien Hoa in 1969. By this time the U-2 was confined to missions over Laos and Cambodia owing to the threat of losses over North Vietnam, leaving missions over North Vietnam to the unmanned AQM-34 and the Lockheed SR-71, the latter untroubled by aircraft or missiles.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed U-2R - СШАUSA - 1967