The AQM-37A was a U.S. expendable supersonic target missile developed by Beech Aircraft and later supplied by Maxson Electronics for missile-test and fleet-training work. Air-launched by aircraft such as the A-4, A-6, F-4, and later F-16, it used liquid-rocket propulsion, programmed profiles, radar augmentation, and destruct equipment to represent high-speed aircraft, anti-ship missile, and ballistic-threat targets.
AQM-37 designations cover the original AQM-37A/KD2B target and later Navy, Army, and reliability-upgrade configurations.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| XKD2B-1 | Prototype target designation | The pre-1963 Navy designation belonged to the Beech-developed prototype target before the joint designation system produced AQM-37A. Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles |
| AQM-37A | Original production target | The AQM-37A/Model 1019 was the original non-recoverable, pre-programmed target used from aircraft such as the A-4, A-6, and F-4. Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Maxson AQM-37A Target Missile | Cradle of Aviation Museum |
| Model 1100/1101 | Recoverable Army evaluation versions | Designation-Systems describes these 1976/1977 Army versions as AQM-37A modifications with a two-stage parachute recovery system. Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles |
| Model 1102 | Non-recoverable Army version | The later Army order covered more than 400 non-recoverable Model 1102 targets with a solid-state autopilot and improved wings. Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles |
| AQM-37C | Improved Navy target | The AQM-37C incorporated Challenger-program features, radio command control, digital autopilot, radar augmentation, and later ballistic-threat profiles. Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles |
| AQM-37D | Reliability upgrade | Raytheon developed the AQM-37D from 1996 with upgraded electrical systems and avionics; the last Navy AQM-37D was expended in September 2022. Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles |
AQM-37 targets were expendable air-launched missiles, so their operational value depended on aircraft able to carry them to the required release conditions.
| Launcher | Launcher type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Light attack aircraft | Designation-Systems identifies the A-4 as one of the fighter-sized aircraft used to launch the AQM-37A; the current gallery image also shows A-4B aircraft carrying AQM-37 targets. Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, A-4B Skyhawk with AQM-37 target drones in flight 1965 | Wikimedia Commons |
 | Carrier attack aircraft | Designation-Systems lists the A-6 among fighter-sized aircraft used to launch the AQM-37A, and museum sources describe A-6 Intruders as common launch platforms. Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, AQM-37A Jayhawk | Yanks Air Museum |
 | Carrier and tactical fighter | The F-4 was a documented AQM-37A launch aircraft, with a Navy compatibility report evaluating AQM-37A and LAU-24/A carriage on an F-4B centerline station. Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, AQM-37A target compatibility with F-4B aircraft | DTIC |
 | Test and training support fighter | NAVAIR reported Air Force 412th Test Wing AQM-37 launches from F-16s for Navy Exercise Gray Flag and final-program test support. Sources: End of an Era: Navy conducts final AQM-37 target launch | NAVAIR |
The Navy and Air Force requirement that led to the AQM-37 selected Beech Aircraft's Model 1019 target concept.
Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles
The Beech-developed target first flew in May 1961 before entering Navy service as the AQM-37A.
Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Beechcraft AQM-37A Jayhawk | Naval Air Museum Barbers Point
The KD2B-1 was redesignated AQM-37A under the joint designation system shortly before U.S. Navy service entry.
Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles
The U.S. Army ordered recoverable Model 1100 and Model 1101 AQM-37A modifications during the 1976/1977 period.
Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles
The AQM-37C followed Navy Challenger-program modifications and added command-control, digital-autopilot, and improved radar-augmentation features.
Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles
Raytheon's AQM-37D reliability upgrade first flew after development work that began in 1996.
Sources: Raytheon AQM-37 | Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles
The Navy launched its last two AQM-37 targets at White Sands Missile Range in support of Army Integrated Fires Mission Command work.
Sources: End of an Era: Navy conducts final AQM-37 target launch | NAVAIR
