For over 60 years, the AQM-37 Jayhawk was a critical tool for the U.S. military. It simulated enemy missiles and aircraft to help train and develop cutting-edge defense systems.
But what made this drone unique was its heart: a powerful rocket engine built by the legendary motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson.
Here is the history of the AQM-37 Jayhawk and how Harley-Davidson’s engineering prowess helped shape this remarkable piece of military technology.
The Birth of the Jayhawk
Developed by Beechcraft in partnership with the U.S. Navy in the late 1950s, the AQM-37A Jayhawk first flew in 1961. (ref) Its primary purpose was to act as a target drone, mimicking the characteristics of various aircraft and missiles to provide realistic training scenarios for military personnel.
The Jayhawk quickly proved its worth, offering an impressive array of capabilities:
- Speed: Mach 0.7 to Mach 3.0 (later models reached Mach 4)
- Altitude: Sea level to 80,000 feet (later models exceeded 100,000 feet)
- Endurance: 5 minutes
- Radar signature manipulation to appear as a larger target
Harley-Davidson’s Contribution
At the heart of the AQM-37 Jayhawk lay a liquid-fueled rocket engine, manufactured by Rocketdyne.
However, due to corporate mergers over the years, there were certain periods when Harley-Davidson built this powerful engine.
The Rocketdyne LR64-NA-4 engine, used in the AQM-37A variant, provided an impressive 850 pounds (3.78 kN) of thrust.
This allowed the drone to reach blistering speeds and soar to incredible altitudes, making it an ideal stand-in for simulating high-performance threats.
A Versatile Tool for Training & Development
Throughout its service life, the AQM-37 Jayhawk was crucial in developing and testing numerous military systems.
It was instrumental in refining missiles like the AIM-9 Sidewinder and RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and various surface-to-air missile and air-surveillance radar systems.
The Jayhawk also helped ships equipped with the AEGIS missile defense system to calibrate their radar and missile launching elements while providing valuable training opportunities for their crews.
Its ability to replicate various threats made it an indispensable asset for the U.S. military and its allies.
The Final Flight & Legacy
On September 22, 2022, the last two remaining AQM-37 target drones were launched from a U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper, marking the end of the Jayhawk’s remarkable six-decade career. (ref)
More than 5,000 AQM-37 targets were delivered and launched throughout its service to support the U.S. Navy’s training and technology development efforts.
The AQM-37 Jayhawk’s legacy is one of innovation, adaptability, and unwavering service. Its unique combination of Beechcraft’s aeronautical engineering and Harley-Davidson’s engine technology created a drone that has stood the test of time and helped shape the modern military landscape.
As we bid farewell to this incredible machine, we can’t help but marvel at the ingenuity and collaboration that brought it to life – a testament to the power of American engineering and the enduring spirit of innovation.
Read Next:
10 Ways the Glock 19 & Sig Sauer P365 Differ for Concealed Carry
12 iPhone Mistakes New Users Make & How to Avoid Them
Aztec Death Whistles Send Chilling Signals to the Brain
The AI Game-Changer: Falcon, An Open-Source AI Revolutionizing the World
The USS Utah Became Pearl Harbor’s First Wartime Tragedy
Toyota Agrees to $100 Payments for Camry Owners Over Smelly Defect
Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
