Posted on 06/09/2006 6:30:23 PM PDT by BenLurkin
MOJAVE - Marking the continuation of a long-standing Mojave program, employees of BAE Systems Flight Systems celebrated the Thursday delivery of their 200th QF-4 drone aircraft to the Air Force. These unmanned aircraft are converted F-4 fighters taken from the boneyard to be used as realistic targets for weapons development. Based at the Mojave Airport, BAE Systems is the exclusive provider of these aircraft for the Air Force.
"This family we call Flight Systems has been doing this for a long time. What you do for the warfighter and our country is so important," said Paul Nafziger, vice president and general manager of flight systems for BAE Systems. "When that young pilot goes out there and shoots that missile, they know it'll work."
Nafziger shared congratulations and praise sent on behalf of those who buy and use the drones, including one who said, "When it comes to full-scale targets, your product is the only game in town."
Although the Air Force is the contracting agency, the drones also are used by the Navy and Army, Nafziger said.
The Mojave company is part of BAE Systems North America, a defense giant employing more than 30,000 people in 30 states and $5 billion in annual sales. BAE Systems North America is part of the even larger BAE Systems, with 90,000 employees worldwide and $20 billion in annual sales.
The Mojave site began as Flight Systems Inc., moving to Mojave in the early 1970s. The company's work with aerial targets began in 1975 with converting F-86s.
The switch to F-4s occurred in the early 1990s, when the Air Force wanted to use a retired aircraft that closely matched the enemy aircraft it would face, said Michele Burdick, who leads the unmanned aircraft programs at the Mojave site.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
6 More years of F4's to go.
The QF-4 'Jihadi' would be a great moniker for a target drone.
Great pic, thanks!
I like it!
I worked with the QF-4s at Tyndall AFB from 2001 to 2004. Great time, great place, and truly, the best way to see a proud fighter like the F-4 be disposed of.
There's the difference between them and us...we wouldn't think of such a messed up method.
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