Warbird Information Exchange

An unmanned QF-4 drone launches a missile Jan. 9 over the White Sands
Missile Range, N.M. This was the first time an air-to-ground missile had
been fired from an unmanned drone. (U.S. Air Force photo)


by Airman 1st Class Rachel Kocin
49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/21/2008 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) -- For the first time, an
air-to-ground missile was launched from a full-scale aerial target drone, or
FSAT. The test was performed Jan. 9 by Airmen here with Detachment 1 of the
82nd Aerial Targets Squadron.

The FSAT is an unmanned QF-4 Phantom drone that was operated by remote
control from a ground station, said Maj. John Markle, the detachment's
operations officer.

"This is the first air-to-ground missile fired off an unmanned full-scale
aerial target," said Major Markle. "This test is an important part of the
Det. 1 mission because it increases survivability of our Airmen going
against (surface-to-air missile) threats. Furthermore, it's the first time
the drone has been able to shoot back.

"It makes airpower more lethal," said Major Markle. "This is a new
high-speed, anti-radiation missile the Navy designed to defeat SAM threats;
overall this mission is going to benefit the Department of Defense."

"With this successful test, we have pioneered a new venue to test
forward-firing ordnance without risk to valuable air assets or crew
members," said Lt. Col. Joel Rush, Det. 1's commander.

The detachment is currently testing F-35 Lightning components, and has
conducted tests for the F-22 Raptor as well as the Patriot and HAWK SAM
systems.

(Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)