News>AF launches first ever air-to-ground missile from UAV
Photos
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
1/15/2008 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (ACCNS) -- The first-ever launch of an air to ground missile from a full scale aerial target drone was performed Jan. 9 by Detachment 1, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron located at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
The FSAT is an unmanned QF-4 Phantom Drone that was operated by remote control from a ground station, said Maj. John Markle, Det. 1, 82 ATRS 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 SAM (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, 82 ATRS commander.
The detachment is currently testing F-35 components, and has conducted tests for the F-22A Raptor, PATRIOT and HAWK SAM systems.
