USAF receives first production QF-16 drone

[Saifullah Sani]

A screenshot showing an unmanned QF-16 during a test flight in 2013. The USAF is to receive 126 such drones to replace the QF-4. Source: Boeing

The first production Boeing QF-16 optionally manned target drone has been delivered to the US Air Force (USAF), the service announced on 20 March.

Aircraft QF-007 arrived at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida on 11 March, ahead of being pressed into service by the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron (ATS).

Boeing has delivered six pre-production QF-16s and is under contract to deliver 13 low-rate initial production (LRIP) platforms, of which QF-007 is the first. The LRIP drones should all be with the USAF by 9 October.

In all, the USAF expects to receive 126 QF-16s to replace the BAE Systems QF-4, the last of which was delivered in November 2013. The new drone is being introduced because QF-4 numbers are running low and the unmanned McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is no longer truly representative of the air-to-air threats USAF pilots are likely to encounter on future operations.

The QF-16 will be able to represent threats in the class of the MiG-29 'Fulcrum' and Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker'.

USAF receives first production QF-16 drone - IHS Jane's 360

 

[alimobin memon]

what is their purpose ? Bombing role ?

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

what is their purpose ? Bombing role ?

Live air-to-air missile tests.

 

[TheNoob]

Live air-to-air missile tests.

Seems good to present a real life combat exercise!

 

[C130]

QF-16+ MALD-J would make a great decoy platform

 

[Malik Alashter]

Great F-16 without pilot.

This may be the bed test for ^th generation fighter.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Great F-16 without pilot.

This may be the bed test for ^th generation fighter.

They've been flying planes with no pilots for decades.

 

[That Guy]

what is their purpose ? Bombing role ?

Mainly as target drones.

 

[Malik Alashter]

They've been flying planes with no pilots for decades.

But this one is a drone it is not just any test bed.
Don you think this may be a test bed for 6th Gen fighter ot it is ust another drone.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

But this one is a drone it is not just any test bed.
Don you think this may be a test bed for 6th Gen fighter ot it is ust another drone.

They just stopped using F4 Phantoms. With the F35 coming online they can now use old F16's.

 

[Malik Alashter]

They just stopped using F4 Phantoms. With the F35 coming online they can now use old F16's.

Aha, I just got it bro so you mean they use it as a target drone.

 

[Thorough Pro]

Highly agile target drones

what is their purpose ? Bombing role ?