Boeing F-16 makes its first unmanned flight 1

For the first time ever, a Boeing-modified F-16, called QF-16, flies without a pilot from Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. The unmanned plane will serve as a full-scale aerial target for pilots and other military units.   Watch the video…

Two U.S. Air Force test pilots in a ground control station at Tydall remotely flew the QF-16, which is a retired F-16 jet modified to be an aerial target.



While in the air, the QF-16 mission included a series of simulated maneuvers, reaching supersonic speeds, returning to base and landing, all without a pilot in the cockpit.

Boeing F-16 makes its first unmanned flight 2

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Inman, Commander, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, said:

“It was a little different to see it without anyone in it, but it was a great flight all the way around. It’s a replication of current, real world situations and aircraft platforms they can shoot as a target. Now we have a 9G capable, highly sustainable aerial target.”



Boeing F-16 makes its first unmanned flight 3

source Boeing