Boeing delivers pilotless F-16 fighter jet set to be used as flying target in war games

At first glance, it looks like any other F-16 fighter jet - except for one difference.

Boeing's new QF-16 is a actually a retired US Air force jet converted into a drone.

The pilotless plane can be controlled from the ground, and will used for target practice by 'top gun' pilots.






Where's the pilot? Boeing has revealed video footage of an F-16 jet converted into a drone.



126 of the converted planes will be used by the US Air Force as flying targets to train top gun pilots.

FIGHTING FALCON F16 SPECS


Length: 49 ft, 5 in.

Span: 32 ft, 8 in.

Takeoff weight: 37,500 lbs

Max speed: 1,500 mph

Max altitude: 50,000 ft plus

Range: 2,425 mi

Engine: One 27,000-lb-thrust Pratt & Whitney F100

The first production Boeing QF-16 optionally manned target drone has been delivered to the US Air Force (USAF), Air bosses have revealed.

Aircraft QF-007 arrived at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida on 11 March, ahead of being pressed into service by the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron (ATS).

Boeing has delivered six pre-production QF-16s, and in all, the USAF expects to receive 126 QF-16s.

The unmanned McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II currently used is no longer truly representative of the air-to-air threats USAF pilots are likely to encounter on future operations.

Credit to Dailymail.co.uk

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3010007/Now-S-remote-controlled-plane-Boeing-shows-pilotless-F-16-fighter-jet-set-used-flying-target-war-games.html#ixzz3VPf8bOA6