General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variant

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon QF-16

Unmanned conversion of retired F-16A/B airframes as a full-scale aerial target, optionally pilotable.

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon sheet

Image pending
September 19, 2010
First flight

History

The QF-16 is a Boeing conversion of retired F-16A/B airframes (drawn from Blocks 15, 25 and 30) into full-scale unmanned aerial targets, replacing the QF-4 Phantom II-derived drones. It retains an optional manned flight capability for ferry flights; in drone mode it is remotely piloted and can maneuver up to the airframe's structural limits, being expended in live-fire exercises with missiles or gunfire. The first fully unmanned flight took place on 19 September 2010, and the USAF has operated them from Tyndall AFB and Holloman AFB since 2013.

Sources: Air & Space Forces Magazine — QF-16 Full-Scale Aerial Target