Details:

Ryan YQM-98A “Compass Cope” – Flight Flown Cover & Signed Letter – First Flight Documentation Lot

Ryan YQM-98A flight flown “Conquest of Space” cover signed by program manager N.S. Sakamoto, carried aboard the drone’s historic first test flight on August 17, 1974. The envelope documents a 1 hour and 46-minute flight with excellent results, launched and recovered at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB). Accompanied by an original typed letter dated August 19, 1974, on Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical letterhead and boldly signed by Jack G. Broward, Chief of Public Affairs, confirming the flight duration and successful test.

Fine condition.

The Ryan YQM-98A “Compass Cope” was a long-endurance reconnaissance drone developed during the Cold War to demonstrate autonomous surveillance capability at high altitudes. The program aimed to test cutting-edge avionics, endurance, and intelligence-gathering technology in a high-risk environment. Though the Compass Cope project was eventually canceled, it was a pioneering step toward the evolution of modern unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), influencing future platforms like Global Hawk.

A rare and desirable pair of documents directly tied to the maiden flight of a pivotal Cold War-era drone system.

Authentication:
Includes a full letter of authenticity from JG Autographs, Inc.

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A 25% Buyers Premium Will Be Added to All Winning Bids

Reference sku: 11519 1409016-1