RPAs in Southeast Asia

AQM-34L "Tom Cat" flew 68 missions over North Vietnam before being shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Hanoi. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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RPAs in Southeast Asia

Photos of a communist anti-aircraft battery taken at low altitude by a Firebee. The seven gun positions are marked with arrows. The inset photo was shot with the Firebee’s panoramic camera. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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RPAs in Southeast Asia

An AQM-34L took this photograph as it flew underneath electrical lines in North Vietnam. The image distortion was a normal effect caused by the type of lens used. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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RPAs in Southeast Asia

DC-130 taking off on a mission in Southeast Asia, carrying two AQM-34s. Firebees flew using a pre-programmed guidance system or by remote control from the DC-130 crew. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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RPAs in Southeast Asia

Unlike later RPAs, the Firebee could not take off or land on its own. The Firebee was air-launched and controlled from a DC-130 director aircraft. After flying its mission, the AQM-34 was directed to a safe recovery area where its parachute was deployed. Then it would typically be retrieved with the Mid-Air Recovery System (or MARS). (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Planes without Pilots: SAC Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)

Remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) saw their first widespread combat use during the Southeast Asia War. Strategic Air Command (SAC) remotely piloted AQM-34 Firebees obtained excellent photography of dangerous areas without risking aircrews. First deployed to South Vietnam in 1964, AQM-34s flew missions in Southeast Asia into 1975.

Most Firebees flew during the day at low altitude taking photographs with an optical camera. Other versions flew at high altitude, provided real-time television imagery, took infrared photos at night, or recorded and jammed enemy electronic signals.

Click here for more information about RPAs during the Southeast Asia War.

Teledyne-Ryan AQM-34L Firebee M.R. Ling

Click here to return to the SEA Reconnaissance Overview.

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RPAs in Southeast Asia

RPAs in Southeast Asia

RPAs in Southeast Asia

RPAs in Southeast Asia

RPAs in Southeast Asia