Maximum range: 2,400 km (1,400 mi).
Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch
In October 1942, Fairchild received a contract to build two XBQ-3 prototype unmanned assault drones based on the AT-21 Gunner twin-engined trainer design. These drones, also called "aerial torpedoes" at that time, were to be fitted with a large payload of high-explosive, and directed to the target by radio commands from a control aircraft. The first flight of an XBQ-3 occurred in July 1944, but the XBQ-3 program was cancelled at some time later that year.
The XBQ-3 was powered by two Ranger V-770 piston engines, had a retractable tricycle landing gear, and was filled with 1800 kg (4000 lb) of high-explosive. The latter was twice as much as the purpose-designed, but smaller, Fleetwings BQ-1-BQ-2 drones. For test flights, it was flown with on-board pilots. Like the other BQ-series drones, the XBQ-3 was equipped with a TV camera, whose image would be used by the remote control operator to "fly" the drone.Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
Data for XBQ-3:
|Length||16.05 m (52 ft 8 in)|
|Wingspan||11.28 m (37 ft)|
|Height||3.99 m (13 ft 1 in)|
|Weight||6930 kg (15300 lb)|
|Speed||355 km-h (220 mph)|
|Ceiling||5200 m (17000 ft)|
|Range||2400 km (1500 miles)|
|Propulsion||2x Ranger V-770-15 piston engine; 385 kW (520 hp) each|
|Warhead||1800 kg (4000 lb) high-explosive|
 Kenneth P.Werrell: "The Evolution of the Cruise Missile", Air University Press, 1985
 Kent A. Mitchell: "Fairchild Aircraft 1926-1987", Thompson, 1997
 John M. Andrade: "U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials, 1909 to 1979", Midland Counties, 1979
 US Army Air Forces: "Army Aircraft Model Designations", 1946
Status: Cancelled 1944.