Kratos BQM-177

Lore & Background

The BQM-177 was developed to meet the US Navy's need for a subsonic aerial target that could realistically simulate anti-ship cruise missile threats. The first BQM-177A was delivered in June 2018 under a low-rate initial production phase 1 contract, with early testing beginning in July of that year. The drone reached initial operational capability in February 2019 and achieved full operational capability in 2022.

Production contracts have steadily increased in scale. A 2019 contract for low-rate initial production covered 34 drones at a cost of $25.4 million. Full-rate production followed in 2020 with contracts for 35 and 48 drones valued at $29.2 million and $38.7 million respectively. In 2021, a contract for 65 drones worth $50.9 million included allocations for seven drones for Japan and eight for Saudi Arabia. A fourth full-rate production contract in 2023 provided 55 vehicles for $49.5 million, again for the US Navy.

The drone is launched from ships such as the USNS Alan Shepard, as seen during an SM-2 exercise in the Philippine Sea in 2022. Operators include the United States Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces.

Reader's Guide

The Kratos BQM-177 represents a critical asset for the US Navy and allied nations in maintaining the effectiveness of shipboard air defense systems. By providing a subsonic target that closely mimics the flight characteristics of anti-ship cruise missiles, it enables realistic training and evaluation of systems like Aegis, SM-2, and SM-6. The drone's development and production history reflect a sustained investment in target drone capabilities, with contracts growing in both quantity and value from 2018 through 2023. The inclusion of international customers—Japan and Saudi Arabia—in the 2021 contract highlights the BQM-177's role in allied defense cooperation. The achievement of full operational capability in 2022 marked the system's maturity, allowing the US Navy to conduct high-fidelity threat simulation exercises. The BQM-177's legacy lies in its contribution to the readiness of naval forces, ensuring that air defense crews face realistic threats during testing and training, thereby reducing risk in actual combat scenarios.

Did You Know?

• The BQM-177 is a subsonic aerial target drone designed to emulate anti-ship cruise missiles.
• Japan and Saudi Arabia have received allocations of BQM-177A drones under US Navy contracts.