posted on Jun, 26 2006 @ 01:00 PM
WestPoint23,
If it's armed, it cannot be an 'RQ' anything (M=special mission or missile-guided, R=Recce, Q=drone/expendable target, IIRR).
If it's not an MQ-9 Predator B (vee tail pointed up), it shouldn't be dorking around up at 35,000ft with weapons anyway.
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2. The "Q" purpose letter used to be assigned for both target drones and recoverable UAVs. However, in 1997 a Q-for-UAV vehicle type letter was
introduced in the designation system for manned aircraft, and since then the letter "Q" in the missile designation system is limited to targets.
...
20. The designations RQ-1A/B are used by the USAF for the whole Predator system, including ground equipment. The designations RQ-1K and RQ-1L apply to
the UAVs of the RQ-1A and RQ-1B systems, respectively. The Predator GCS (Ground Control Station) is called RQ-1P, and the "Trojan SPIRIT II" SATCOM
(Satellite Communication) station is designated RQ-1U. The designation MQ-1B refers to the Predator system with UAVs modified to carry the AGM-114
Hellfire anti-armour missile, and the armed UAVs are called MQ-1L. RQ-1Q is an upgraded GCS, and RQ-1W is a new SATCOM station (known as PPSL -
Predator Primary Satellite Link). A further upgrade of the GCS is designated as MD-1A, though (in a new "D-for-Drone Control System" series).
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www.designation-systems.net...
KPl.