Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
Firebee
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1951–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · EARLY COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
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 Classtarget drone
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1951
- Service Entry Year1952
- Primary Roleaerial target
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe6MOD.6
- Length6.98 m
- Wingspan3.93 m
- Height2.04 m
- Empty Weight680.4 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight934.416 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant4MOD.4
- Engine TypeContinental J69-T-29A
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power7.56 kW
- Electric PropulsionNo
◇Performance6MOD.6
- Top Speed1,110.348 km/h
- Cruise Speed1,013.796 km/h
- Service Ceiling16,764 m
- Range1,850 km
- Endurance75
- Maximum Payload45 kg
◆Payload & Sensors5MOD.5
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control Typeremote control
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableNo
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingYes
▲Production2MOD.2
- Operators4
- Variants10
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1951
- Operational Statusin service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1951Production started
75
years in service
4
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries5country
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
243RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES1EARLY COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES2336UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS31PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources