Falcon Target Rising: A manned QF-16 Full Scale Aerial Target flew for the first time on a flight check from Naval Air Station Cecil Field near Jacksonville, Fla., announced contractor Boeing. “With this successful first flight of the QF-16, the Air Force, Boeing, and our supplier partners have laid the groundwork for the program to enter low-rate production in 2013,” said Torbjorn Sjogren, Boeing’s upgrade and maintenance vice president, in the company’s May 10 release. The flight took place on May 4. The optionally manned QF-16 drones—converted early model F-16s pulled from retirement—will eventually supplant the current generation of QF-4 Phantoms as aerial practice and test targets. Boeing plans to deliver the first six QF-16s to Tyndall AFB, Fla., for testing over the Gulf Coast target range in October. The Air Force awarded Boeing the phase-one QF-16 modification contract in 2010, with the intention of procuring upwards of 126 FSATs. The first remanufactured QF-16 production airframe is slated for delivery in 2014, according to Boeing.
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.