QF-4s

QF-4s await their fate as target drones on the Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., flight line. The QF-4s are used a target drones by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group at Holloman and at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. They are remotely flown during the air-to-air weapons system evaluation program known as Combat Archer. Pilots gain valuable air combat training and experience targeting and firing missiles at the drone aircraft. The QF-4 will eventually be replaced by the QF-16, currently undergoing developmental testing at Tyndall. The 53rd WEG is a geographically separated unit of the 53rd Wing headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (Courtesy photo/Gary Wetzel)

Holloman unmanned QF-4 drone crash

Published Feb. 7, 2014
49th Wing Public Affairs

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Release No. 14-02-03

At approximately 9:08 a.m. today, a QF-4 Drone crashed on White Sands National Monument, approximately four to five miles west of Runway 22.

The unmanned aircraft was conducting a routine training mission. The monument was closed in advance of the test mission and will remain closed until further notice. There is no threat to the public at this time.

The cause of the crash is unknown at this time, but the incident will be investigated.

The aircraft was assigned to Detachment 1, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, which is a tenant unit at Holloman assigned to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group.The 82nd ATRS is part of the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, which falls under the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available on the Holloman website at www.holloman.af.mil. Photos of and fact sheets for the QF-4 Drone can also be found on the Holloman website.