QF-4 Aerial Target – Time for the F-4 Phantom to Turn into a Drone

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QF-4 Aerial Target – Time for the F-4 Phantom to Turn into a Drone


Fighter jets with crews turned into drones (unmanned), so far this is still rare, but some have been realized, for example the QF-16 Zombie Viper and the Shenyang J-6 (MiG-19). As a drone figure, former fighter jets are no longer entrusted with combatant missions, but are more dominant for training, especially as drone targets, as adopted in QF-16 as a full scale aerial target (FSAT).

In the hands of the United States Air Force, the QF-16 program as a drone target did not go halfway, it was proven that the QF-16 was targeted in dogfight by the AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile.

Well, besides the QF-16, the US Air Force (USAF) apparently also has other drone targets from former fighter jets. In question is the QF-4 Aerial Target, which is none other than the legendary and retired F-4 Phantom.


Quoted from the Air Force website - af.mil, the last aircraft to be completely converted was the RF-4C Wild Weasel with number 68-0609. Historically, the QF-4 was created as the successor to the QF-106, and the QF-4 has been in service since 1997. Home to the QF-4 fleet is the 82d Aerial Targets Squadron based at Tyndall Air Base, Florida.

Like the QF-16, the QF-4 is a remote-controlled target drone, simulating the maneuvers of enemy aircraft. As a target drone, the QF-4 can be flown by remote control or with a safety pilot to monitor its performance.

The QF-4 was flown unmanned when the missile was fired at it, and even then only in certain water areas permitted for unmanned flight.

When flown unmanned, an explosive device is placed on the QF-4 to destroy the aircraft if the QF-4 accidentally gets out of control.

The QF-4 is equipped with electronic and infrared countermeasures to evaluate fighter aircraft and weapons fired at it. FAST can be fully flown by computer, or manually controlled during takeoff and landing using a mobile control station located on the runway.

As a safety risk precaution, the QF-4 is followed by manned fighter aircraft during critical flight periods (take-off and landing).


The conversion process from F-4 to QF-4 was spearheaded by McDonnell Aircraft Co. as the main contractor, while BAE Systems acts as the modification contractor. So far, 318 F-4 Phantoms have been converted to QF-4 Aerial Targets, with the last being converted in 2013.

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