The Fate of Old Fighters

Nov. 15, 2005

The Fate of Old Fighters: The Defense Science Board says it is time to replenish the military’s target drone fleet. In a newly released report, DSB recommends replacing the current drones—modified F-4 Phantoms—with an F-16 drone. The panel projects the dwindling supply of pilot-less Phantoms will run out by 2011. Since there are plenty of F-16s available, DSB considers it a likely candidate. However, the panel cautions that it may not meet the testing requirements that will be needed for the new 5th generation aircraft.

Related Content

B-21 Temporary Shelters Could Also Shelter B-2s

March 5, 2021
The Air Force's experimental runway shelter for the new B-21 bomber is large enough to cover it or the B-2, and therefore reveals no information about the dimensions of the new aircraft. Two such shelters will be evaluated, but the maker of the second version hasn't been chosen, yet.

Air Force’s Weapon Swarming Project Fares Better in Second Test

March 5, 2021
The Air Force’s “Golden Horde” weapon swarming project overcame its earlier technical difficulties in a second flight test last month, the service said March 5. The Feb. 19 event featured four Small Diameter Bombs equipped with systems that let them work as a team, two more than the first test…

USAF Planning Boss Pushes for Flexible Budgets to Keep Up with New Tech

March 5, 2021
As the Air Force pieces together its fiscal 2023 budget, due early next year, it must think not only about the immediate future, but also five years down the road. That’s a challenge right now, said Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for strategy,…

First B-1 Deployment to Norway Shows Importance of Arctic, Cold-Weather Ops

March 5, 2021
The first-ever basing of B-1B Lancers in Norway is giving aircrews and maintainers Arctic experience, which is becoming more important as the U.S. military looks north. The B-1s from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, deployed to Orland Air Base for joint training with Norway and other regional partners in the…

New House Task Force to Examine Defense Supply Chain Threats

March 5, 2021
House Armed Services Committee members are launching a task force to dig into defense supply chain issues, the panel said March 4. Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) will co-chair the group as it looks at threats to and vulnerabilities in the defense industrial base. Pentagon officials, lawmakers,…

Improving Guam’s Defenses is Top Priority for INDOPACOM

March 4, 2021
Protecting Guam is the top priority for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, as the island territory and its large military presence has grown in strategic importance and the command is calling on Congress for billions more to build up its infrastructure there and across the region. INDOPACOM boss Adm. Philip S. Davidson,…

Austin Outlines Priorities in Memo to DOD

March 4, 2021
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on March 4 outlined his top priorities for the department, leading with fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and countering China. “I am committed to ensuring that the department develops the right people, priorities, and purpose of mission to continue to defend our nation from enemies…

Air Force Delays PT Tests, Previews Upcoming Changes

March 4, 2021
The Air Force is delaying physical fitness testing for the fourth time due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tests will resume July 1, according to a March 4 release. When tests resume, Airmen will be graded using a new scoring system based on a 1.5-mile run and one minute of pushups…