Legends AD905: AQM-81A Firebolt

Legends AD905: AQM-81A Firebolt

The AQM-81A Firebolt was a U.S. Air Force high-altitude supersonic target drone developed under the HAST program as a follow-on to the AQM-37 Jayhawk. Awarded to Teledyne Ryan as the Model 305 / AQM-81A, it grew out of earlier Project Sandpiper work that tested hybrid rocket propulsion on modified AQM-37s. Unlike the Jayhawk’s fully liquid propellant rocket system, the Firebolt used a hybrid motor with a solid fuel grain and storable nitric-acid oxidizer called IRFNA (Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid), intended to provide improved performance, handling, and control. The first Firebolt flew on June 13, 1983, launched from an F-4D Phantom II at Eglin AFB, Florida. Although the flight-test program was completed, the HAST effort stalled and the AQM-81A never entered production, leaving it as a rare development-stage target drone from the late Cold War test world.

Trim

Standard TOPAS TOPAS Rivet Hole

Product variants

Regular price: $39.50
Sale price: $39.50
Regular price

SPECIFICATIONS

AD905 has been cut from AQM-81A Firebolt fuselage fairings. These fairings were discovered at an aircraft boneyard alongside a hybrid rocket motor also belonging to a Firebolt.

Sheet 1 (TOPAS): TOPAS (The Original Production Archive Sheet) Air Drops are Sheet 1 (the first made) cards sealed in a magnetic case with a metallic security sticker. That sticker carries a serial number tied to the card's sheet number, cataloged here by us before it ships, so every TOPAS is recorded in our registry the moment it leaves the shop. The serial and aircraft info is printed on top of the case, too, for easy ID when stored vertically.

Each one ships in a custom box featuring the card art, a serialized TOPAS COA, a sticker, and an NFC tag that contains a digital download tied to that specific card, tucked inside the case.

AD905 TOPAS Air Drops are offered in Rivet Hole (Air Drops that feature a rivet hole, printed on a matte silver card), and Orange.

All TOPAS Air Drops will ship the week of the 20th.

Sheet 2+: Our Standard Issue Air Drops are identical to TOPAS Air Drops in construction, but ships in a custom bag and do not come with the case, NFC, or registry card. AD905 Standard Air Drops are randomly fulfilled and may be an Orange (solid Air Drops piece) or Rivet Hole (Air Drops piece with a rivet hole in it, printed on a matte silver card).