Technicians mount a BQM-43 Firebee II drone on the wing pylon of NASA's B-52B launch aircraft. The drone was test flown as part of the Drones for Aerodynamic and Structural Testing (DAST) project. Research flights of drones with modified wings for the DAST project were conducted from 1977 to 1983.
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Technicians mount a BQM-43 Firebee II drone on the wing pylon of NASA’s B-52B launch aircraft. The drone was test flown as part of the Drones for Aerodynamic and Structural Testing (DAST) project. Research flights of drones with modified wings for the DAST project were conducted from 1977 to 1983.
After the initial flights of Firebee II 72-1564, it was fitted with the Instrumented Standard Wing (also called the “Blue Streak” wing). The first free flight attempt on March 7, 1979, was aborted before launch due to mechanical problems with the HH-53 recovery helicopter. The next attempt, on March 9, 1979, was successful.March 10, 1979NASA Photo / NASA photo› DAST Project Description