Aerial targets are the Navy's most realistic means of training sailors and airmen against airborne threats and testing an array of weapon systems.

The BQM-74F is an upgrade over the E version, which has been in production for the Navy since 1966.

"The BQM-74F can fly twice as far, 15 percent faster and has a 70 percent increase in endurance over the E model," said Chris Lape, Northrop Grumman Unmanned Systems' director of target programs. "This will enable the Navy to simulate modern threats they might encounter in tomorrow's combat environments more realistically."

"Reaching this point has required us to overcome substantial challenges and is testament to the uncompromising teamwork of the BQM-74F team, demonstrated from day one by the Navy's targets program office, Northrop Grumman and our suppliers and subcontractors," said Bill Waldon, Northrop Grumman's BQM-74F program manager.

"While another six months of testing remain, the rollout of the BQM-74F represents another significant milestone in our company's proud history of providing our fighting forces and allies the best equipment in the world at the best value."

Northrop Grumman's aerial targets programs are the world's longest-running unmanned-aircraft-system production programs and can be traced back to U.S. Army and Navy targets contracts in 1939. Since then, Northrop Grumman has delivered more than 100,000 aerial targets to all branches of the U.S. military and its allies.

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