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Boeing announced on Dec. 4 that delivered the 127th and final QF-16 full-scale aerial target to the US Air Force, completing a 15-year conversion program for 127 retired F-16s. The delivery ensures a long-term supply of realistic threat aircraft for weapons testing and high-intensity training.
Boeing Defense said on Linkedin;
‘Right on target. The QF-16 makes its final delivery to the US Air Force.’
The video in this post features Boeing employees explaining how retired
F-16s are transformed into advanced aerial targets for the US military and allies, as well as what’s next for the program.
The QF-16 platform is the successor to the QF-4 Phantom drone, which was retired in 2016.
The aircraft is the latest Full-Scale Aerial Target (FSAT) designed to test and evaluate US weapon systems and assist in developing tactics, techniques, and procedures to counter fighter-size airborne threats.
The QF-16 is an optionally piloted, reusable aerial target system modified from previously-retired legacy F-16 aircraft, which were once used in Air Force combat missions. After modification, the aircraft can be flown by a pilot or via remote control by a skilled group of ground operators and technicians who monitor performance. Without risk to aircrew, the aircraft can fly a multitude of missions, to include the testing of newly developed weapons systems, air-to-air live fire training, ground-to-air live fire missile tests, auto takeoff and landing, and supersonic flight.
The QF-16 retains F-16 flight performance characteristics and payload capabilities including supersonic, after-burning engine, high-G maneuvering, complex electronic attack, and expendable countermeasures.
The QF-16 Zombie Viper’s first unmanned flight took place Sep. 23, 2013.
The QF-16 system is composed of regenerated F-16 Block 15, 25, and 30 aircraft equipped with Drone-Peculiar Equipment to enable remote command and control, missile trajectory scoring, and safe flight termination.
The QF-16’s have always been delivered from Boeing to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, in Panama City, Florida, for operational use. Each aircraft maintains a lifespan of approximately 300 flight hours.
The 82nd ATRS is part of the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla. The group provides the personnel and infrastructure to test and evaluate weapons utilized by the combat air forces of the U.S. and its allies. It operates the only full-scale aerial targets in the Defense Department. In accordance with U.S. law, Title 10, Section 2366 of the U.S. Code, a missile system must undergo lethality testing before it can enter full-scale production. The 82 ATRS maintains DOD’s sole capability to execute the Title 10 requirement with full-scale aerial targets.
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force
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