White Sands in Doρa Ana County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Firebee
Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024
1. Firebee Marker
Firebee was a subsonic drone with a maximum speed of 600 knots (690 mph). It operated at altitudes of up to 60,000 feet and traveled at speeds of up to Mach 1.5 for 14 seconds. Its endurance was 45 minutes.
The Firebee was launched from beneath a specially modified aircraft, from a ship or from a ground launching platform. Surface launching was assisted by a solid-propellant rocket and flight was sustained by a turbojet engine. A parachute was used to recover the craft. Firebee was controlled from either the ground or from a manned aircraft.
At White Sands, Firebee primarily was used in developing and testing new weapon systems. Probably every U.S. surface-to-air or air-to-air missile has been tested against the Firebee. Firing records show the first Firebee was launched here by the Army in 1961.
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Length: 22.9 feet
Wingspan: 12.9 feet
Weight: 3,400 pounds
Ceiling: 60,000 feet
Speed: 738 mph (Mach 0.97)
First Firing: 1958
Endurance: 115 minutes
Erected by White Sands Missile Range Museum. (Marker Number 04.084.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.
Location. 32° 23.163′ N, 106° 28.739′ W. Marker is in White Sands, New Mexico, in Doρa Ana County. It is on Wsmr P Rt 1 (New Mexico Route 213) 4 miles south of U.S. 70. The marker and various missiles are located on the grounds of the White Sands Missile Range Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: White Sands Missile Range NM 88002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Rio Grande Valley. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Gadsden Purchase,
Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024
2. The Firebee and Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beechcraft MQM-61 Cardinal Target Drone (here, next to this marker); XM-21 (a few steps from this marker); XQ-4 Drone (a few steps from this marker); Little John (a few steps from this marker); PGM-11 Redstone Tactical Version (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named PGM-11 Redstone Tactical Version (a few steps from this marker); QH-50 DASH (a few steps from this marker); Hawk (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Sands.
More about this marker. The marker and museum are located on the White Sands Missile Range, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.
Also see . . .
1. Welcome to the White Sands Missile Range Museum. White Sands Missile Range Museum (Submitted on July 31, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. Ryan Firebee. Wikipedia
The Ryan Firebee is a series of target drones developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in(Submitted on August 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)1951. It was one of the first jet-propelled drones, and remains one of the most widely used target drones ever built.Public Domain - US Navy - PHCS R.L. Lawson, USN, July 29, 19753. Ryan BQM-34S FirebeeAn air-to-air left side view of a DC-130 Hercules drone control aircraft carrying two BQM-34S Firebee target drones under its wing. The aircraft is assigned to Fleet Composite Squadron 3 (VC-3).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
