Aircraft Was Intentionally Destroyed As Aerial-Target Flight
Termination System Test
Seeing the test might have made one think they were watching an
episode of Mythbusters, but in truth it was a serious test which
will provide insight into the latest role which will soon be played
by the F-16 ... that of unmanned target aircraft.
Air Force Photo
An F-16 Fighting Falcon was blown apart on the Air Force's Eglin
range in Florida August 19th as part of a test to determine future
development of next-generation fighter technology. The explosion
was intentionally initiated to test an aerial-target flight
termination system. The test was conducted by the 780th Test
Squadron, and was overseen by the QF-16 special program office. The
purpose was to demonstrate that the FTS design will be sufficient
to immediately terminate the flight of a QF-16, as well as
determine a range safety debris footprint, said Kevin Diggs, QF-16
test and evaluation lead.
The QF-16 is a supersonic reusable full-scale aerial target
drone modified from an F-16. The QF-16 will provide a fourth
generation full-scale aerial target for air-to-air and
surface-to-air weapons system evaluation, conducted by the 53rd
Weapons Evaluation Group at Tyndall AFB, FL. At this time, the WEG
uses QF-4s to conduct its full-scale aerial target missions. Each
drone contains an FTS needed to satisfy range safety requirements
for use in unmanned missions. This test was a milestone in the
development to prepare the F-16 for its new QF-16 mission.
QF-16 Prepped As Target Aircraft Air Force
Photo
"We're taking these non-operational aircraft and reusing them,
recycling if you will," said Mr. Diggs. "We find a better purpose
for them in making them flight worthy, which gives our weapons
designers the opportunity to test our advanced weapons against a
modern aircraft. Additionally, our warfighters get an opportunity
to train against a quality fourth generation fighter." The
non-operational F-16 from the 40th Flight Test Squadron,
tail-numbered 78-0097, gave its life for the test.
At approximately 1115, with an audience looking on, the range
officials exploded the aircraft. A small ball of flame burst from
the middle of the aircraft, followed by thick black smoke, but no
sound. The sound caught up soon after with a deep reverberating
boom. The extent of the damage went undetected at first due to the
amount of smoke billowing from the wreck. Once it cleared, it
revealed the F-16 had been split in half between the cockpit and
the wings. "It's sad to see an F-16 destroyed like this," said Maj.
Wayne Chitmon, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, the squadron that will
eventually own and operate the QF-16s. "At the same time, however,
it's exciting to know the fourth generation ability of the F-16
will enhance the warfighters' capabilities."
File Photo
After the range was cleared, the test team began inspecting the
wreckage and collecting data. In the coming weeks, test reports
will explain the outcome and success of the test. The next step for
the program office is to evaluate those reports from the 780th and
Boeing, the QF-16's prime contractor. The project will then move
forward to certifying the QF-16 with Air Armament Center range
safety for unmanned flights in the future. "This test was one step
toward satisfying range safety requirements," said Mr. Diggs.
The first production QF-16 is scheduled to be delivered in 2014.
The QF-16 will replace the QF-4, the third generation full-scale
aerial target.