Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
BQM-147 Dragon
Country
Production
1986–
Quantity
500
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · COLD WAR
23
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- UAV Classtactical battlefield UAV
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1986
- Service Entry Year1991
- Primary Rolereconnaissance
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe5MOD.5
- Length1.6 m
- Wingspan2.499 m
- Empty Weight41 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight48 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant4MOD.4
- Engine Typepiston engine
- Number of Engines1
- Electric PropulsionNo
- Propeller / Configurationpropeller
◇Performance5MOD.5
- Top Speed130 km/h
- Service Ceiling3,048 m
- Range48 km
- Endurance2.5
- Maximum Payload7 kg
◆Payload & Sensors6MOD.6
- EO/IR SensorYes
- SAR / GMTI RadarNo
- SIGINT PayloadNo
- Laser DesignatorYes
- Sensor Payload Weight7 kg
- Comms RelayNo
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control Typemanual
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableNo
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingNo
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built500
- Operators1
- Variants1
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1986
- Operational Statusretired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1986Production started
40
years in service
500
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
228RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES23COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES2265UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS126PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
A device that emits a laser beam to mark targets for precision-guided munitions, enabling accurate strikes by designating coordinates for laser-homing weapons.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources