The Fairchild BQ-3, also known as the Model 79, was an early expendable unmanned aerial vehicle – referred to at the time as an "assault drone" – developed by Fairchild Aircraft from the company's AT-21 Gunner advanced trainer during the Second World War for use by the United States Army Air Forces. Two examples of the type were built and flight-tested, but the progress of guided missiles rendered the assault drone quickly obsolete, and the type was not produced.
Design and development Development of the BQ-3 began in October, 1942, under a program for the development of "aerial torpedoes", later referred to more commonly as "assault drones", that had been instigated in March of that year. Fairchild was awarded a contract for the construction of two XBQ-3 prototypes, based largely on the AT-21 Gunner advanced gunnery trainer already in United States Army Air Forces service.Parsch 2003
The XBQ-3 was a twin-engined, low-wing aircraft, fitted with retractable tricycle landing gear and a twin-finned empennage; although the aircraft was intended to be operated by radio control with television assist, a two-seat cockpit was included in the design for testing and ferry flights.Jane's 1947, p.424. Power was provided by two Ranger V-770 inline piston engines of each;Ross 1951, p.117. up to of explosives could be carried by the aircraft in unmanned configuration. Like the contemporary Fleetwings BQ-2, the aircraft would be destroyed in the act of striking the target.
Flight testing The first flight of the XBQ-3 took place in July 1944; later that month, one of the prototypes was severely damaged in a forced landing.Werrell 1985, p.30. Despite the accident, flight testing continued; however, the assault drone was determined to have no significant advantage over conventional bombers, and advances in the field of guided missiles were rapidly rendering the concept obsolete.Craven and Cate 1955, p.254. As a result, the program was cancelled towards the end of 1944.
Specifications (XBQ-3)
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