645th Aeronautical Systems Group

Big Safari is a United States Air Force program begun in 1952 which provides management, direction, and control of the acquisition, modification, and logistics support for special purpose weapons systems derived from existing aircraft and systems.

BIG SAFARI focuses on acquiring, fielding, and sustaining key operational capabilities that otherwise would not be achievable or supportable in the required timeframe.

Events and processes are tailored to meet the user's operational and schedule needs.The program was reconstituted as the BIG SAFARI Systems Group on 23 November 2004 and activated as same on 18 January 2005.

This effort led to the first operational unmanned reconnaissance vehicle, the redesignated Ryan Aeronautical AQM-34 Lightning Bug.

Programs conducted under the auspices of Big Safari are identified by two-word names beginning with the word "Rivet."