The Drone Target Market

A drone target, also known as a missile drone or air-to-air weapons testing target, is an unmanned aircraft used by the military to simulate enemy aircraft and drone threats for training exercises and weapon tests. These drones can be a variety of shapes and sizes, including commercial drones, manned aircraft, or even spacecraft. They are often equipped with a range of sensors to track and guide missiles and other weapons systems towards the drones. Drone target manufacturers strive to create high-performance drones that can withstand the rigors of military training and weapons testing.

The drone target market is a highly competitive one, with several leading companies promoting market expansion through technological innovations and strategic alliances. These include Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., AeroTargets International, LLC, Northrop Grumman Corporation, QinetiQ Group plc, and others. These companies focus on providing cutting-edge drone targets that are capable of meeting the diverse needs of different military and defense organizations.

These drones are designed for use in air-to-air and air-to-surface threat simulation, and to test weapon systems such as missiles or cannon systems. They are usually a jet or propeller-powered manned aircraft that has been retrofitted with remotely piloted or autonomous capability, although lower-cost options may be purpose-built drones. They can be deployed from land or sea and can perform a variety of maneuvers, such as evasive G-turns and “sea skimming,” in which they fly a few meters above the water’s surface to hide from ship radars.

Air-to-air weapons systems, such as anti-aircraft missiles and aircraft cannons, are used by military forces to train their soldiers on how to detect and defeat enemy aircraft and drones in combat situations. The drones are programmed to perform specific maneuvers and fly at a predetermined altitude, allowing soldiers to practice intercepting incoming drones in a realistic scenario. The drones can also be configured to carry a wide range of payloads, such as electronic attack pods and chaff/flare dispenser sets.

Increasing investments in military modernization programs and advanced advancements in unmanned aircraft technology have led to the rise in demand for drone target products, particularly in countries like the US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, and China. In addition, a growing focus on military training has led to the development of highly sophisticated and realistic target drones that are able to replicate enemy aircraft and missiles.

A major challenge for the drone target industry is the requirement to ensure that drones are properly calibrated and can be tracked, especially when they are being fired from a distance or by a drone operator who has never seen the aircraft before. This requires a great deal of engineering and technical expertise, as well as the ability to continually modify and improve the system to keep up with the evolving demands of the military community.

The BQM-167A is a reusable, full-scale air-to-air weapons system target that is built and operated by the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. It provides an accurate, scalable target for all air-to-air weapon system evaluation and testing, including live-fire tests at the two facilities. This rotary-wing, dual-sided drone can be refueled and reused after each air-to-air missile live-fire demonstration.