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)
An unmanned QF-4 drone prepares to launch a missile Jan. 9 over 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)
Ground crews prepare an unmanned QF-4 drone for take off Jan. 9 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The drone was used to test the capability of launching an air-to-ground missile from a drone. The test was successful. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rachel A. Kocin)
Ground crews prepare an unmanned QF-4 drone for take off Jan. 9 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The drone was used to test the capability of launching an air-to-ground missile from a drone. The test was successful. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rachel A. Kocin)
An unmanned QF-4 drone takes off Jan. 9 from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., to test the capability to launch an air-to-ground missile from a drone. The test was successful. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rachel A. Kocin)
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.
