The AQM-34V (TRA Model 255) was the last production version of the AQM-34 series. A batch of 47 were converted from surplus AQM-34H and J models, and 16 were produced new (serial block 74-2135/2150). Flight testing was performed at Hill AFB, and then the 11th TDS at Davis-Monthan AFB flew it operationally.
Flight testing was performed by the 6514th Test Squadron at Hill AFB starting 13 May 1976 and ending in October 1976. The AQM-34V's tested at Hill AFB were given TAC-style 'HI' tail codes, and are thus easily identifiable as test aircraft. Lou Amadio, DC-130 pilot with the 6514th, and former Teledyne-Ryan Aeronautical engineer Ray Vitkus kindly provided the following photographs of serial numbers 67-369 (fiscal year not sure, if correct the full serial is likely 67-20369) and 67-423 (full serial likely 67-20423). 67-369 has a 1976 bicentennial celebration sticker on the vertical tail, and standard ALE-38 chaff pods on the pylons. In the third photo 67-423 too has a bicentennial sticker, and what appears to be an ALE-2 chaff pod with stripes painted on.
|
|
|
|
The 11th Tactical Drone Squadron of the 432nd Tactical Drone Group at Davis-Monthan AFB flew the AQM-34V operationally. Michael Burke (via Mark Nankivil) kindly supplied the following photo of AQM-34V 68-8300. Of note is the very small serial number presentation on the tail, in the same size as the data block just ahead of the horizontal tail plane. All-black ALE-2 chaff pods are fitted, the one on the right pylon numbered '967' in yellow. Note the chaff ejector opening on the top side, just aft of the cilinder-cone transition
|
A small walkaround of an operational AQM-34V can be seen on the Larry Engesath photos page, and two photo series of the preserved AQM-34V are presented at the Warner Robins Museum of Aviation page. A DC-130H photo on the DC-130 page shows four AQM-34V's being carried by 65-0979 of 6514th Test Squadron.