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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   A QF-4 Aerial Target is in flight as it is tracked by a missile at Tyndall AFB, Fla. The aerial targets are used to test weapons. (Courtesy photo)A QF-4 Aerial Target is in flight as it is tracked by a missile at Tyndall AFB, Fla. The aerial targets are used to test weapons. (Courtesy photo)
                
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        QF-4 Aerial TargetQF-4 Aerial Target
                        
                        
                        Airmen from the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron, Det. 1 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. hosted the final flight of the QF-4 Phantom as part of the Phinal Phlight Ceremony on Dec. 21, 2016. The ceremony commemorated and retired the QF-4 Phantom after 53 years of service to the Air Force.
                
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 QF-4 Aerial Target**Mission**
The supersonic QF-4 is a reusable full-scale, remotely piloted aerial target modified from the F-4 Phantom. The QF-4 provides a realistic full-scale target for air-to-air weapons system evaluation, development and testing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and Holloman AFB, N.M.**Features**
The QF-4 is a remotely controlled target, which simulates enemy aircraft maneuvers. The aerial target can be flown by remote control or with a safety pilot to monitor its performance. The QF-4 is flown unmanned when missiles are fired at it, and only in specific over-water airspace authorized for unmanned flight. When flown unmanned, an explosive device is placed in the QF-4 to destroy the aircraft if it inadvertently becomes uncontrollable.
The QF-4 is equipped to carry electronic and infrared countermeasures to fully evaluate fighters and weapons flown and fired against it. Full-scale aircraft can be flown totally by computer, or controlled manually during takeoff and landing using a mobile control station located at the runway. As a safety precaution, a chase plane trails the QF-4 during critical periods of flight.**Background**
First flown in May 1958, the Phantom II originally was developed for U.S. Navy fleet defense and entered service in 1961. The Air Force evaluated it as the F-110A Spectre for close air support, interdiction and counter-air operations. In 1962, U.S. Air Force version was approved. The Air Force's Phantom II was designated F-4C, and first flew May 27, 1963. Production deliveries began in November 1963.
The F-4 was the primary fighter-bomber aircraft in the U.S. Air Force throughout the 1960s and 1970s.  F-4s also flew reconnaissance and "Wild Weasel" anti-aircraft missile suppression missions. Phantom II production ended in 1979.
The modified F-4 became the QF-4. It is the successor to the QF-106 in the Air Force aerial target inventory.
The aerial target fleet is operated and maintained by the 82d Aerial Targets Squadron, located at Tyndall AFB. The squadron is a subordinate unit of the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group at Tyndall AFB. The 53rd WEG reports to the 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla. The QF-4 program attained initial operational capability in 1997.**General Characteristics
Primary function:** Full-scale aerial target**QF-4 Modification Contractor:** BAE Systems**F-4 Prime Contractor:** McDonnell Aircraft Co.**Power plant:** Two General Electric turbojet engines with afterburners**Wingspan:** 38 feet, 15 inches (11.7 meters)**Length:** 63 feet, 1(9.2 meters)**Height:** 16 feet, 6 inches (5 meters)**Weight:** 30,328 pounds (13,757 kilograms)**Maximum Launch Weight: 62**,000 pounds (28,030 kilograms)**Speed:** 1,600 mph (Mach 2)**Ceiling:** 60,000 feet (18,182 meters)**Range:** 1,300 miles**Cost:** $2.6 million (aerial target conversion)**Initial operating capability:** 1997**Inventory:** Active force, 84
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