MQM-170 Outlaw

The MQM‑170 Outlaw is a high‑performance target drone developed by Griffon Aerospace in the early 2000s to meet the United States Military’s growing need for realistic, reusable aerial targets. First flown in 2004, the Outlaw quickly became the standard platform for live‑fire training, electronic warfare testing, and sensor evaluation across the Air Force, Navy, and Army. Its sleek, low‑observable airframe is built from carbon‑fiber composites, allowing a maximum take‑off weight of 590 kg and a payload capacity of up to 150 kg. Powered by a 180 hp Rotax 914 turbocharged engine, the aircraft can reach speeds exceeding 300 km/h, operate at altitudes up to 15 000 ft, and sustain endurance of 3 to 4 hours depending on mission profile. Advanced avionics include a GPS‑inertial navigation system, programmable flight‑paths, and a secure datalink for real‑time telemetry. The Outlaw’s modular design enables rapid installation of radar reflectors, infrared flares, or electronic counter‑measure payloads, making it an adaptable tool for simulating a wide range of threat environments. Its reliability, low operating cost, and reusability have reshaped training doctrines, providing pilots and weapons crews with safe, repeatable exposure to realistic targets and thereby enhancing combat readiness worldwide.

Griffon Aerospace

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