Designation: MQM-57

Radioplane MQM-57

Radioplane/Northrop MQM-57 Falconer

A picture of the Radioplane/Northrop MQM-57 Falconer

The MQM-57 Falconer is a reconnaissance drone designed for the U.S. Army in 1955.  It is based on the Radioplane BTT family of target drones which includes the OQ-19 and MQM-36.  They were intended to provide either still or video images of the battlefield.  The technology of the time did not allow for real-time images and the drone had to be recovered and have its film processed before the images could be used.  The Falconer entered service with the U.S. Army in 1958 and later with the British Royal Army.  A total of 1,500 were built through the mid-1960s.  The last of them were withdrawn from service by the early 1970s.

Wingspan 11ft 6 in.

Wingspan

Length 13 ft 4 in.

Length

Height 2 ft 7 in.

Height

Weight 430lbs (loaded)

Weight

Max. Speed 185 MPH

Maximum Speed

Service Ceiling 15,000 ft

Service Ceiling

Range 100 miles

Range

Engine One McCulloch O-100-1 piston engine with 72 horsepower

Engines


Manufacturer
Radioplane/Northrop

Markings
United States Army, 1956

Designation
MQM-57

Serial Number
UNKNOWN

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