Boeing this month received a $24.6 million contract adjustment for the next lot of QF-16 targeting drones. The contract covers 18 QF-16s full-scale aerial targets and 18 associated warranties, with work expected to be completed by April 27, 2021. The Air Force flies the converted F-16s as aerial targets for training and weapons certification, with the Falcons having replaced converted F-4 Phantoms. The contract was awarded March 14 and announced Wednesday.
It is critical that the Air Force move forward on the replacement for its E-4B “Doomsday” aircraft to keep the capability “viable” into the next decade and beyond, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. told lawmakers May 8.