First production QF-16 arrives at Tyndall

The first Air Force Lot 1 production QF-16 touched down here March 11.

The aircraft fulfills the first of 13 deliveries to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron.  This is the first production QF-16 aircraft to be delivered off of the Drone Peculiar Equipment production line.

“Today culminates five years of hard work and dedication beginning with a development program, completing a rigorous test and evaluation phase that has ultimately led to the first operational delivery of the QF-16,” said Michele Hafers, director, test and training division at Eglin AFB.  “We take great pride in this significant team achievement and are honored to provide the warfighter with this enhanced capability.”

The QF-16 will replace the legacy QF-4 aerial target as the next generation representative aerial target, with missions that encompass manned combat training profiles and unmanned live-fire threat scenarios here and Holloman AFB, N.M.

The 82nd ATRS is a geographically separated unit of the 53rd Wing, headquartered at Eglin AFB.

Article Armament Directorate Aerial Targets Branch

Above: Maintainers begin post-flight checks on the first Lot 1 production model QF-16 after it arrived at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., March 11. The aircraft is the first of 13 deliveries to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, a geographically separated unit of the 53rd Wing, headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base. The QF-16 will replace the QF-4 as the next generation aerial target. (Courtesy photo)