GQM-163 SSST: A Tricky Coyote to Match Wits With Defenses

The rocket-boosted, ramjet-powered GQM-163A was developed to simulate supersonic cruise missiles like the SS-N-22 Sunburn, Kh-31 (aka. AS-17 Krypton, which also has an anti-air AWACS-killer version), the Indo-Russian PJ-10 Brahmos, et. al., which are proliferating throughout the world.

Their speed and evasive maneuvers compress the amount of time a defense system has to deal with them once they're detected, and a training target that can simulate their performance is critical to both proper preparedness and pursuant performance.

This DID article covers developments in the Supersonic Sea Skimming Target (SSST) program, including the latest news which is an order from the USA for limited production.

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