It is easy to get confused by the the many designations allocated to various Firebee versions. First an overview of the basic Teledyne-Ryan model numbers, please note the difference between BQM (target drone) and BGM (armed RPV) designations:
| Teledyne-Ryan designation | Military designations | Name | Role | Remarks |
| 124 | BQM-34 (USAF/USN) MQM-34 (USAr) Q-2 (USAF pre 1962) KDA (USN pre 1962) | Firebee I | subsonic target drone | |
| 147 | AQM-34G/H/J/K/L/M/N/P/Q/R | none ? Early versions under 'Project Firefly / Lightning Bug' name. Firebee in everyday USAF use | subsonic RPV (recce, ECM, ELINT) | lengthened Firebee I |
| 166 | BQM-34E/F/T | Firebee II | supersonic target drone | completely different design |
| 234 | BGM-34A/B | none ? | combat RPV | largely identical to Model 147. Four BGM-34A and eight BGM-34B built. |
| 255 | AQM-34V | none ? | ECM RPV | modernized Model 147 |
| 259 | BGM-34C | none ? | combat RPV | largely identical to Model 147 |
The Teledyne-Ryan Model 154 / AQM-91, a completely different design, was also called Firefly within the USAF, which increases the designation confusion.
The dimensions of the various Models are quite confusing, and sources do not always agree. The table below lists published data. Dimensions marked # are taken from "RPVs: Robot aircraft today (Jane's Pocket Book 13)", those marked @ from 'Lightning Bugs and other reconnaissance drones', in which only round numbers are used. It's unclear whether the spike on the radome (if present) is included in the length figures. The Model 124 is also included because it served as the basis for the Model 147. Production numbers are generally from the main text of 'Lightning Bugs', with comments were conflicting data is available. Use all data with caution, I found too many errors so far!
Only later models of the Ryan Model 147 received USAF designations, probably because of the secret nature of the project in its early years, and the not-so-regular procurement procedures. For this reason the Ryan model designations are important to know.
| Teledyne Ryan model | USAF designation | Role | Length | Span | Engine | Number | Operational use | Remarks ('Lightning Bug' photo pages) |
| 124 | BQM-34A | target drone | 22' 10.8" (6.98 m) # | 12' 10.8" (3.93 m) # | J69-T-29 1700 lbf | ~5000 | 59-now | 36 sqft wing |
| 147A | - | prototypes (photo recce) | 27' (8.23 m) @ | 13'(3.96 m) @ | J69-T-29 1700 lbf | 4 | 4/62 - 8/62 | Converted Model 124s, 35" fuselage plug, much larger nose for camera, ventral fin like Model 124. Unclear whether extended wing tips as on 147C were used. Hycon HR233 camera, 24 inch focal length. (LB p28, 30) |
| 147B | - | high-altitude photo recce | 27' (8.23 m) @ | 26' 9.3" (8.16 m) | J69-T-29 1700 lbf | 37 | 8/64 - 12/65 | Very much larger wing, now tapered instead of constant-chord. Wing area 80 sqft. Ventral fin like Model 124 seen on some. Hycon HR233 camera, 24 inch focal length. (LB p49, 50, 51, 60, 64, 76, 78, 116). Span data from wing analysis. |
| 147C | - | medium altitude photo recce | 27' (8.23 m) @ | 15' (4.57 m) @ | J69-T-29 1700 lbf | 7 | 10/65 | Series model of 147A. Larger span wings created with extended wing tips. Wing area 40 sqft. (LB p94) |
| 147D | - | ELINT | 27' (8.23 m) @ | 15' (4.57 m) @ | J69-T-29 1700 lbf | 3 (4*) | 8/65 | 147C modified for ELINT work, specifically to draw SA-2 fire and record the fusing data, at the expense of the drone. Probably intended for use over Korea, but employed later in Vietnam. * see TRA photo on Flickr. |
| 147E | - | ELINT | 27' (8.23 m) @ | 26' 9.3" (8.16 m) | J69-T-29 1700 lbf | 3 | 10/65 - 2/66 | 147B airframe with 147D ELINT equipment, but also neither deployed to Korea, and later used succesfully in Vietnam in 1965 and 1966. Ventral fin like Model 124 seen on some. (LB p48, 101). Span data from wing analysis, but exclused the 'E' specific wingtip endplates. |
| 147F | - | ECM | 27' (8.23 m) @ | 26' 9.3" (8.16 m) | J69-T-29 1700 lbf | 1 | 7/66 | 147B converted to ECM tasks |
| 147G | - | high-altitude photo recce | 29' (8.84 m) @ | 26' 9.3" (8.16 m) | J69-T-41A 1920 lbf | 56 | 10/65 - 8/67 | Updated 147B, more powerful engine, fuselage extended 2ft (unclear where). Hycon HR233 camera, 24 inch focal length. (LB p94, 111). Span data from wing analysis. |
| 147H | AQM-34N | high-altitude photo recce | 30' 0" (9.14 m) # 30' (9.14 m) @ | 32' 0.0" (9.75 m) | J69-T-41A 1920 lbf | (73*) | 3/67 - 7/71 | Further improved 147G. New larger wing, 114 sqft area. Fuselage extended 1ft (unclear where). Airframe was an almost complete redesign of the 147B/G, in order to reduce weight. Detachable nose for camera installation. MARS retrieval, not meant for heavy belly landings, therefore no skid under the nacelle and outer wing panels without 'snap-of' joints. Hycon HR338A camera (military designation KA-88A), 24 inch focal length. Larger wing root fairing compared to the 27 foot wing models. (LB p106) Wing span based on wing analysis. * see TRA photo on Flickr. |
| 147HR | ? | 10* | ? | * see TRA photo on Flickr. | ||||
| 147J | - | low-altitude photo recce | 29' (8.84 m) @ | 27' (8.23 m) @ | 39 | 3/66 - 11/67 | Developed from 147G. Fairchild KA-60A camera, 3 inch focal length, described as a 'Panoramic High-Speed Aerial Still Picture Camera'. (LB p117) | |
| 147N | - | decoy RPV | 23' (7.01 m) @ | 13' (3.96 m) @ | 10 | 3/66 - 6/66 | Basically a BQM-34A Firebee I with radar signature augmentor (traveling wave tube). Parachute recovery system deleted because of expected low survival rate, replaced with sand. Dimensional data of BQM-34A listed by Jane's probably more accurate (22'10.8" (6.98m) length and 12'10.8" (3.93m) span). | |
| 147NA | AQM-34G | ECM | 26' 0" (7.92 m) # | 14' 6" (4.42 m) # | 24 | 8/68 - 9/71 | Usually fitted with ALE-2 chaff-dispensing pods on underwing pylons. | |
| 147NC | AQM-34H | ECM | 26' 0" (7.92 m) # | 14' 6" (4.42 m) # | 43 | 7/72 - 12/72 | Different nose shape, more cilindrical than other versions, with the nose tip pointed downwards. This nose appears to have been developed around 1962 for an Army version of the Model 124. Usually fitted with ALE-2 chaff-dispensing pods on underwing pylons. | |
| 147NC(M1) | AQM-34J | low-altitude photo recce | 26' 0" (7.92 m) # | 14' 6" (4.42 m) # | 52 | ? | Gap-filler version until the 147SC became available. Acton KA-85 camera, 3 inch focal length, described as a panoramic camera. Same nose shape as Model 124NC / AQM-34H but with camera windows | |
| 147NE | - | chaff and recce probably | 27.8' (8.47 m) # | 14.45' (4.40 m) # | 0 | n/a | Projected only. See TRA photo on Flickr. | |
| 147NP | - | 8 (20*) | 6/67 - 9/67 | KB-10A strike camera, 3 inch focal length (as used in OV-1 and RF-8) * see TRA photo on Flickr. | ||||
| 147NQ | - | 10 | 5/68 - 12/68 | Low-level, high speed, short range version of the NX, used to perform daily missions over Haiphong harbor. Fitted with a Fairchild KA-60C camera, 3 inch focal length, in a nose section similar to that of the NC(M-1). No rear fuselage plug. No flight programmer, controlled directly from DC-130 | ||||
| 147NRE | - | low-altitude photo night recce | 4 | 5/67 - 9/67 | ||||
| 147NX | - | decoy RPV with camera | 23' (7.01 m) @ | 13' (3.96 m) @ | 10 | 3/66 - 6/66 | Similar to 147N, but also fitted with a camera (for opportunity photos) and parachute recovery system reinstalled. (LB p112) | |
| 147P | - | ? | 0 | n/a | Projected only. Looks like an G/J-model with large photo flash cartridge pods on the wings, just inboard of the ailerons. But it could be anti-personel mine dispensers too. BQM-34A style ventral fin on parachute cone, probably to compensate for destabilizing effect of the pods. TRA drawing on Flickr, URL lost | |||
| 147SA | - | low-altitude photo recce | 40 | 12/67 - 5/68 | Fairchild F415Y camera (military designation KA-89A), 3 inch focal length. | |||
| 147SB | - | low-altitude photo recce | 40 | 3/68 - 1/69 | Fairchild F415Y camera (military designation KA-89A), 3 inch focal length. | |||
| 147SC | AQM-34L | low-altitude photo recce | 28' 6.65" (8.70 m) | 12' 11.2" (3.94 m) | 400+ (261*) | 1/69 - 6/73 | Fairchild F415Y camera (military designation KA-89A), 3 inch focal length. Dimensions from Tech Order 21M-AQM34-3. * see TRA photo on Flickr. | |
| 147SC/TV | AQM-34L(TV) | low-altitude photo recce | 28' 6.65" (8.70 m) | 12' 11.2" (3.94 m) | ? | The L(TV) had a video camera that allowed to operator to fly the Firebee visually. Confirmed is a version that had an extended radome with a flat plate on the front; angle of attack sensor and doppler were removed. The radome contained a video camera looking through a moving mirror system. In 'Navigation' mode it would give forward view. In 'Recce' mode, it would give left oblique, down, and right oblique views in quick succession. The 'Recce' signal was stored for processing later. Possibly a simpler version was used too, with only a simple forward looking video camera. | ||
| 147SD | AQM-34M | low-altitude photo recce | 30' 1.43" (9.18 m) | 12' 11.2" (3.94 m) | 87 (78*) | 6/74 - 4/75 | Length en span data from Tech Order 21M-AQM34-3. Span is with short wingtips, extended wings used most often. It can carry 67 gallon tanks drop tanks, always with long span wingtips. Originally equiped with Fairchild F415Y camera (military designation KA-89A, 3 inch focal length), later with Fairchild KS-120A camera with much increased film capacity. The KS-120A is described as basically a KA-60C modified by adding a larger 6000 foot capacity magazine.
The M was cooled by an open liquid ammonia cooling system. The ammonia tank was in the forward compartment, behind the camera and film magazines. The heat exchanger was in the aft compartment where the ammonia vaporized and was exhausted overboard. * see TRA photo on Flickr. The way I interpret the graph is that 5 had no drop tank provision and 73 had drop tank provision. | |
| 147SDL | AQM-34M(L) | low-altitude photo recce | 30' 0" (9.14 m) # can't be correct | 14' 6" (4.42 m) # | 20* | A number of M versions were fitted with LORAN to further improve navigation accuracy. Possibly the only external clue is the LORAN wire antenna, fitted on the left side of the engine nacelle at a 45 degree angle, and bent backwards by a small strut. The strut and antenna were designed to break away when the drone was set down after a flight.
* see TRA photo on Flickr. The way I interpret the graph is that 3 had no drop tank provision and 17 had drop tank provision. | ||
| 147SK | - | low-altitude photo recce | 10 | 11/69 - 6/70 | Special project for the Navy. The SK was largely identical to the SC, but fitted for ground launch. It was the first version without a ventral fin on the tail cone, and therefore fitted with endplates on the horizontal tails. | |||
| 147SRE | AQM-34K | low-altitude photo night recce | 29' 0" (8.84 m) # | 14' 6" (4.42 m) # | 20 (21*) | 11/68 - 10/69 | CA-120E near-IR camera, 3.9 inch focal length.
* see TRA photo on Flickr. | |
| 147T | AQM-34P | high-altitude photo recce | 28' 6.75" (8.71 m) | 32' 0" (9.75 m) # | J100-CA-100 2800 lbf | 84 | 4/69 - 9/70 | Model 147H airframe combined with new Continental J100 engine of 2800 lbf thrust. Spine fairing extended forward. Shares large wing root fairing and absent 'skid' fairing on nacelle lower side with the Model 147H / AQM-34N. Seems to lacks the wing-tip anti-flutter weights of the TE and TF. Possibly related to the absence of pylon tanks, which appear to have been introduced with the TE. Hycon HR338A camera (military designation KA-88A), 24 inch focal length.
Length from Tech Order 21M-AQM34-3, span from wing analysis. |
| 147TE | AQM-34Q | ELINT | 28' 6.75" (8.71 m) | 32' 0.0" (9.75 m) * | J100-CA-100 2800 lbf | 19 (26**) | 2/70 - 6/73 | ELINT version of Model 147T / AQM-34P. Wing-tip anti-flutter weights added. Capable of carrying pylon tanks. No Doppler. Span figure does not include anti-flutter masses ** see TRA photo on Flickr. |
| 147TF | AQM-34R | ELINT | 28' 6.75" (8.71 m) | 32' 0.0" (9.75 m) * | J100-CA-100 2800 lbf | 20 (31**) | 2/73 - 6/75 | Externally similar to 147TE / AQM-34Q, but no AoA probe on the radome, and a small blade aerial on the nose. No Doppler. Span figure does not include anti-flutter masses ** see TRA photo on Flickr. |
| ? | YAQM-34U | experimental | 6 | 72 - 74? | Six AQM-34Ls were supplied by SAC to Lear Siegler Astronics Division under project 'Update'. L-168 was one of them, displayed as U-168 at a May 1973 Edwards Open House. In an attempt to produce a much better performing RPV (navigation accuracy, controllability, checkout time) nearly all original systems were removed (engine was retained), and new systems were installed. One crashed during test flights. The remaining five were presumably returned, and were reportedly converted to BGM-34Cs. | |||
| 255 | AQM-34V | 26' 0" (7.92 m) # | 14' 6" (4.42 m) # | ~60 (68*) | 76 - 78+ | Passive and active ECM version, with electronics in the former camera nose compartment. Large cooling inlet on top of the nose, outlets on either side of the nose's lower side. Normal radome, without the AoA probe. Pylons for ALE-2 chaff pods and possibly other chaff pods.
Note: I think the only external differences with the BGM-34C in EW configuration is that the AQM-34V still has standard-chord ailerons, whereas those of the BGM-34C has extended chord ailerons, and that the BGM-34C has its total-temperature probe on the left side, whereas the AQM-34V has none. * see TRA photo on Flickr. |