The aerial target can be employed in either a manual mode or pre-programmed mode. MQM-178 Firejet can be deployed into flight either from land or from shipboard using a pneumatic launch system, which eliminates the need for rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) equipment and reduces the expenses. With an aerial target has a maximum internal payload capacity of 32kg, each wing-tip of the drone is designed to hold a maximum payload of 9kg, while each wing station can carry up to 15.9kg of payload. The dry weight of the drone is 59kg, while the maximum launch weight is 145kg. The aircraft has a length of 3.3m, a height of 0.6m, and a wingspan of 1.9m. The empennage is arranged in a V-tail configuration. The drone integrates a shoulder-mounted delta wing design, which offers improved performance. “Compact and modular design of the MQM-178 Firejet target system allows for the integration of a variety of customer-specific payloads.” The Sea Viper missile system was launched from the Hebrides Range site on South Uist and destroyed the Firejet drone during tests. It took part in fire tests of GWS 45 Sea Viper anti-air guided missile system conducted by the UK Royal Navy at the Formidable Shield 2019 naval exercise held in May 2019. MQM-178 Firejet is currently undergoing a wide range of testing activities. The agreement also includes a six-year extension option. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) awarded a three-year indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to Kratos in November 2018 for the delivery of target systems and associated spare parts.
The contract also includes the delivery of spare parts, offering technical services, ground support equipment, and required training. Kratos secured a ten-year framework contract from QinetiQ UK in July 2018, for the delivery of the MQM-178 Firejet drones. The MQM-178 Firejet target was used by QinetiQ in the Formidable Shield 2017 international naval exercise organised by the US Sixth Fleet in October 2017 to test integrated air and missile defence capabilities of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Hebrides Range.
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