CEi supersonic experience dates back to 1959 with the design and build of the AQM-37 target drone. Capable of speeds over Mach 4 and altitudes in excess of 100k ft, the AQM-37 is an air launched liquid fueled target drone that has been primarily utilized for ballistic missile threat emulation. Though no longer in production, the system remains in limited service with elements of the US DoD.
As a major sub-contractor to Orbital Sciences, CEi designed and produced the original Front End Section (FES) for the GQM-163A Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target (SSST). Beginning with the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase and continuing through Full Rate Production Lot II, the CEi FES’s provide for avionics, software and all Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) elements for the SSST, making possible controlled flight at speeds of Mach 2.8 while maneuvering at altitudes as low as 5 meters.
Capitalizing on our supersonic experience, CEi teamed with ATK in 2007 to pursue and win the US Navy contract for the design, build and test of the GQM-173A Multi-Stage Supersonic Target (MSST) drone system. Arguably the most advanced supersonic target drone ever developed, the MSST emulates anti-ship cruise missiles that initially fly at subsonic speeds, subsequently separate into two elements with the forward section making a maneuvering supersonic dash to their intended target at speeds in excess of Mach 2.8.
As the major sub-contractor to ATK on the MSST program, CEi maintains responsibility for the design and build of the subsonic aero structure (bus vehicle) as well as the supersonic front end section (FES) which houses avionics, payloads and all airborne command and control elements for the target drone system. The MSST program takes advantage of existing CEi developed and produced systems and subsystems. The subsonic bus vehicle is based on CEi’s BQM-167X, which was selected in 2011 as the U.S. Navy’s next generation Subsonic Aerial Target (SSAT). In its final flight configuration, the MSST mates CEi’s subsonic bus vehicle and FES with an ATK modified Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC) (VLA) rocket motor. In addition to contributions to the airborne elements of the GQM-173A, CEi also is responsible for the development of software associated with the subsonic GNC, launch GNC and mission planning software. Additional responsibilities include the development of all ground support equipment including the launch cart, loading mechanism, launcher interface and target test set.