Kratos’ BQM-177A achieves IOC with US Navy

8th March 2019 - 16:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

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Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ new BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target (SSAT) has achieved initial operational capability (IOC) with the US Navy, the company announced on 5 March.

The BQM-177A SSAT will be initially operated from Pt Mugu, California. The target is capable of speeds in excess of 0.9 Mach and a sea-skimming altitude as low as 10ft, which provides sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missile threat emulation for the US Navy.

Steve Fendley, president of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, said: 'We are incredibly proud to support the US Navy and our warfighters by providing these high performance unmanned jet target aircraft and appreciate the team relationship we have enjoyed with our navy customer in developing and advancing the system to this critical milestone.

'We look forward to continuing to support the navy for many years to come with the BQM-177A system and its abilities to replicate current and evolving threats.'