Production Verification Flight Test Program for Flight Control System, Target Drone, USAF Type A/A37G-8

Abstract : This report presents the description and results of the Production Verification Flight Test Program for the A/A37G-8 Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) for the USAF and USN BQM-34A Target Drone. Identified as the 'Versatile Automatic Flight Control System - VAFCS' by its manufacturer, Lear Siegler Incorporated/Astronics Division, Santa Monica, California, The A/A37G-8 AFCS was first procured as production hardware under USAF contract F33657-71-C- 0353. This production verification flight test was performed at Holloman AFB to insure that the system performance realized with the prototype hardware was valid for the production hardware. During September 1971 through May 1972, the AFCS was flown in BQM-34A Target Drones as a Class II modification over all ranges of altitude, airspeed, and basic maneuverability which can be achieved by the BQM-34A. In addition, the Increased Maneuverability Kit (IMK) mode was flown. Based on the testing performed and the minor modifications made necessary by these tests, the A/A37G-8 AFCS was shown to be capable of performing the flight control function in an acceptable manner and should prove to be a satisfactory GFAE flight control system for the BQM-34A Target Drone.