Articles tagged with "unmanned-systems"
US taps ‘struggling’ Boeing to turn dead F-16s into supersonic drones
Boeing has been awarded a $10.2 million contract modification, part of a $318.7 million effort, by the US Air Force to convert retired F-16 fighter jets into QF-16 full-scale aerial target drones. These supersonic drones will replace the aging QF-4 Phantoms, enhancing the realism of missile testing against modern fourth-generation aircraft. The work, conducted primarily at Boeing’s St. Louis avionics factory, involves installing telemetry, scoring systems, flight-termination safety gear, and uncrewed avionics. The Air Force plans to operate up to 210 QF-16s from Jacksonville, Florida, integrating them into the fleet by December 2026. This program continues a longstanding practice of converting manned fighters into uncrewed targets for live-fire exercises dating back to the 1960s. This contract win comes amid significant challenges for Boeing, which is facing scrutiny over recent safety incidents, including a fatal 2025 crash of
robotdronesaerospaceavionicsunmanned-systemsmilitary-technologyBoeingUS firms to develop high-tech tiny engines for next-gen combat drones
robotdronesunmanned-systemspropulsion-technologydefense-technologycombat-aircraftaerospaceRussia to train school kids with world’s first drone ops textbook
robotdroneeducationunmanned-systemstechnologyroboticsUAVUK firm debuts world’s longest-range drone ship with 8,500-mile reach
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