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From: Stormin' Norman <norman@schwarzkopf.in.memorium>
Newsgroups: alt.binaries.pictures.aviation
Subject: Re: Missile Launches, pt 1 - BQM 02.jpg (1/1)
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On Mon, 19 Nov 2018 08:30:16 -0600, Mitchell Holman
<noemail@verizont.net> wrote:
A little trivia...
In the 1991 Persian Gulf War, BQM-74Cs were used as decoys during the
initial air attacks into Iraq. The USAF Big Safari group was put in
charge of the decoy effort, which was codenamed "Project Scathe
Mean".[5]
The Chukar drones that were available were usually launched from
DC-130 director aircraft, and could also be launched from strike
aircraft such as F-15s or F-16s. These launch resources were not
available though, so the Navy found twelve ground launchers in their
inventory that could be made serviceable, while RATO booster units
were found stockpiled in Belgium. Each BQM-74C was fitted with a pair
of corner reflectors to enhance its radar signature to imitate a
manned aircraft.
A 40-person team of specialists, obtained from disbanded
ground-launched cruise missile units, was assembled in a few days and
designated the "4468th Tactical Reconnaissance Group". The 4468th
moved on a fast track, with trucks modified and obtained from a
California commercial trucking firm, tool kits purchased from Sears,
and field gear bought from war surplus stores. The teams were given
quick training, equipped with 44 Navy BQM-74Cs, and sent to Saudi
Arabia in two six-launcher teams in about two weeks, arriving near the
Iraqi border on 15 October 1990. The northern team was sited to cover
Baghdad and large military bases in that area, while the southern team
was sited to cover Basra and Kuwait City.
When the Gulf War air campaign began on the night of 17 January 1991,
Iraq was hit by waves of F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighters and BGM-109
Tomahawk cruise missiles. A group of 38 BQM-74Cs were assigned to be
launched as diversion for the second wave of attacks, with the
launches generally in groups of three, and 37 were launched
successfully in precisely timed waves. One group of three was
intercepted by Iraqi aircraft, while all the others made it to target.
The drones flew over 500 kilometers (310 miles) at 630 km/h (390 mph),
then began to circle Baghdad for up to 20 minutes. Iraqi air defense
radars which probed for the drones were engaged by allied strike
aircraft firing AGM-88 HARMs (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles). The
Navy also launched ADM-141 TALDs (Tactical Air Launched Decoys) to
contribute to the countermeasures blitz. Iraqi air defenses never
recovered from this blow, and though large Allied aircraft losses had
been predicted, the Iraqis only succeeded in shooting down 44 manned
aircraft. After the war, the 4468th was disbanded, and one of the
remaining BQM-74Cs was donated to the National Museum of the United
States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, where it is now on
display.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_BQM-74_Chukar
--
"The administration is like a shitshow in a dumpster fire"
-George Conway, JD - Husband of Kellyanne Conway
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