QF-16 Program Explained: Why The USAF Turns F-16s Into Drones Then Blows Them Up

The F-16 Fighting Falcon has a stunning record in aerial combat (with one confirmed air-to-air loss). But it turns out many more F-16s have been shot out of the sky, and it’s the United States that’s been doing the shooting. One of a number of fates that can await retired military aircraft (and one fate for many F-16s) is for the US Air Force to blow them out of the sky as part of the QF Aerial Target drone program (or the new VENOM project). These zombie Vipers are used for many test missions and pilot training. They can be excellent test beds for developing next-generation technology.