The Air Force has chosen Boeing to convert up to 126 retired F-16 fighters to unmanned full-scale aerial targets designated QF-16s. They will succeed the Air Force’s inventory of QF-4 targets that are used today to help develop weapons and tactics. Boeing is scheduled to start delivering QF-16s in 2014. On Monday, the company received a $69.7 million contract for the initial engineering, manufacturing, and development activities. Boeing will design and develop the QF-16 in St. Louis. Production and testing will occur at the company’s facility in Cecil Field, Fla., near Jacksonville. Boeing’s team includes BAE Systems, prime contractor for the QF-4s. (Boeing release) (Pentagon’s March 8 list of major contracts)
Why Russia Shot Down Its Own S-70 Drone Over Ukraine
Oct. 8, 2024
The wreckage of one of Russia’s newest stealth drones is now in the hands of the Ukrainian forces—a potential intelligence windfall for that country and its partners—after a Russian fighter chased, then shot it down over Ukrainian territory Oct. 5.