Boeing CQM-121 Pave Tiger

The Boeing CQM-121 Pave Tiger was an unmanned aerial vehicle built by Boeing for the U.S. Air Force. Designed to suppress enemy air defenses (SEAD), it was flight-tested but ultimately canceled.

Development started in 1983 when Boeing received a contract for a small drone to counter enemy air defenses. The prototype, the YCQM-121A, was a tailless craft with a two-stroke engine. It was stored in a 15-cell container with folded wings; the container’s sides opened for launch via a rail and solid-fuel rocket booster. After launch, the drone followed a pre-set route, using electronic countermeasures or a small warhead to disable or destroy air defense systems.

Thirteen YCQM-121A aircraft began flight tests in 1983, but the project ended the following year. It was revived in 1987 as an alternative to the AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow anti-radar missile.

This anti-radar version, designated YCGM-121B and codenamed "Seek Spinner," first flew in 1988. It carried a warhead to destroy enemy radars and could loiter until it detected a radar signal. This program was canceled in 1989.

Also in 1987, the Air Force ordered an electronic countermeasure variant, the YCEM-138A Pave Cricket, equipped with an AN/ALQ-176 jammer. That program was also canceled in 1989.

Variants included the YCQM-121A Pave Tiger (original jamming drone, 13 built), the YCGM-121B Seek Spinner (loitering anti-radar missile), and the YCEM-138A Pave Cricket (electronic countermeasure version of the YCGM-121B).