Rotor Work
26th Sep 2013, 02:27
A little off topic for Australian General Aviation, but worthy of a read
Regards R W
From ABC News
The US Air Force has managed to successfully fly a F-16 fighter jet without a pilot on board in the latest example of the military's increasing reliance on drones. Key points
US Air Force tests F-16 fighter jet without a pilot
F-16 flew pilotless for 55 minutes in Florida
Was operated by two test pilots from ground control station
Reached an altitude of nearly 12,200 metres and flew at Mach 1
Military says the planes will be used as targets for pilots in training
The robotic F-16 flew for 55 minutes with an empty cockpit from a base in Florida last week, as part of a program that will see the converted fighter jet used as a target for pilots in training.
"It was really amazing to see an F-16 take off with nobody in it," said Michelle Shelhamer from Boeing, which has adapted the plane for the US military.
The aircraft is one of six "retired" F-16 jets that will be used as aerial targets for fighter pilots training for air-to-air combat, she said.
"They're basically built to be shot down," she said.
"It's full-scale, real world, real life, combat training - not with a simulator or anything else."
During the flight out of Tyndall Air Force base in Florida, the F-16 reached an altitude of nearly 12,200 metres and flew at supersonic speeds over Mach 1, Ms Shelhamer said.
There was no pilot on board to experience gravitational forces as the plane performed manoeuvres, including a barrel roll.
The plane was operated by two test pilots from a ground control station and the flight went off without a hitch, officials said.
It was not the first time the Air Force has adapted old fighters as drones for use in air-to-air combat training.
Since 1997, the Pentagon used more than 80 F-4 Phantoms converted into robotic planes for targets.
But the F-16s offered a faster, "more realistic" training target than the slower F-4s, Tyndall spokesman Herman Bell said.
US Air Force successfully flies unmanned F-16, says robotic planes will only be used as 'target practice' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-26/us-tests-f-16-fighter-jet-without-pilot/4981852)
Regards R W
From ABC News
The US Air Force has managed to successfully fly a F-16 fighter jet without a pilot on board in the latest example of the military's increasing reliance on drones. Key points
US Air Force tests F-16 fighter jet without a pilot
F-16 flew pilotless for 55 minutes in Florida
Was operated by two test pilots from ground control station
Reached an altitude of nearly 12,200 metres and flew at Mach 1
Military says the planes will be used as targets for pilots in training
The robotic F-16 flew for 55 minutes with an empty cockpit from a base in Florida last week, as part of a program that will see the converted fighter jet used as a target for pilots in training.
"It was really amazing to see an F-16 take off with nobody in it," said Michelle Shelhamer from Boeing, which has adapted the plane for the US military.
The aircraft is one of six "retired" F-16 jets that will be used as aerial targets for fighter pilots training for air-to-air combat, she said.
"They're basically built to be shot down," she said.
"It's full-scale, real world, real life, combat training - not with a simulator or anything else."
During the flight out of Tyndall Air Force base in Florida, the F-16 reached an altitude of nearly 12,200 metres and flew at supersonic speeds over Mach 1, Ms Shelhamer said.
There was no pilot on board to experience gravitational forces as the plane performed manoeuvres, including a barrel roll.
The plane was operated by two test pilots from a ground control station and the flight went off without a hitch, officials said.
It was not the first time the Air Force has adapted old fighters as drones for use in air-to-air combat training.
Since 1997, the Pentagon used more than 80 F-4 Phantoms converted into robotic planes for targets.
But the F-16s offered a faster, "more realistic" training target than the slower F-4s, Tyndall spokesman Herman Bell said.
US Air Force successfully flies unmanned F-16, says robotic planes will only be used as 'target practice' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-26/us-tests-f-16-fighter-jet-without-pilot/4981852)