XQM-93A Aircraft

In the early 1970s, the U.S. Air Force launched the “Compass Dwell” program for the purpose to evaluate the potential use of high-altitude, long-endurance Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs). The XQM-93A, built by E-Systems, is one of the aircraft utilized in this program. The XQM-93A on display is an early model flown by a manned pilot to evaluate the aircraft’s capabilities. Later models had the canopy replaced with a flush fairing and flown by a controller on the ground. This program laid the groundwork for modern day unmanned drones such as the MQ-9 “Reaper” and RQ-1 “Predator” used in the War on Terror.