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.
The Air Force budget would grow to $234 billion while Space Force spending would shrink to $26 billion under the White House's yearly ask.