AFMC Command News

AFMC commander flies drone during Holloman visit

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HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Gen. Donald Hoffman, Air Force Materiel Command commander, got a firsthand look at the base's warfighting capabilities when he flew a QF-4 Phantom II during a two-day visit here that began Jan. 20, 2011.

The supersonic QF-4 is a reusable full-scale target drone modified from the F-4 Phantom, and provides a realistic full-scale target for air-to-air weapons system evaluation, development and testing at both Holloman and Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

"I wanted to see how they use the QF-4 in the test business," said General Hoffman. "It's very fascinating how they blend manned control in the cockpit with the remote control from the ground-based controllers, and how that's all synchronized to support a test."

Lt. Col. Brent Gillespie, Detachment 1, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron commander, said the flexibility of the aircraft's flight controls is key to more efficient warfighting.

The QF-4 is a remotely controlled target, which simulates enemy aircraft maneuvers. The drone can be flown by remote control or with a safety pilot to monitor its performance. The drone 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.

During the general's trip to Holloman he also met with base leadership, spoke with Airmen and visited base organizations such as the 46th Test Group and the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron.

It was on the second day of his visit that General Hoffman flew the QF-4, and observed the developmental test process of the aircraft.

General Hoffman's flight in the QF-4 also marked his first time in the cockpit of the supersonic drone.

"I've been in the Air Force for more than three decades and never have had the opportunity to fly an F-4," said the general. "I always wanted to fly the F-4 -- it was on my bucket list."

The flexibility of the aircraft's flight controls allows test and evaluation customers to launch live missiles at the full size QF-4 target to assure their respective weapon systems perform as expected, Colonel Gillespie said.

"General Hoffman gained insight into the QF-4 capabilities and limitations during the sortie and will use the information to shape the next full-scale target, which is in current development," the colonel said.

Detachment 1, 82 ATRS is one of two locations within the DOD that has full-scale aerial target capability, which allows major weapon systems to prove their capabilities work correctly, said Colonel Gillespie.

"The only method to accurately do that is a live-fire test against a real target in a simulated combat environment," Colonel Gillespie said.

The colonel said it was important to demonstrate to General Hoffman "the importance of the QF-4's ability to accurately provide target replication to weapons systems being tested by AFMC, so when the systems are fielded to combat units they perform as designed when it truly matters and lives are at risk."

Earlier in the day, General Hoffman ate breakfast with 46th Test Group Airmen and visited the 746th Test Squadron, where he got a closer look at a GPS jamming system. The system is a high-accuracy navigation reference system used to measure weapon system performance.

The general also had a chance to look at a one-of-a-kind inertial test system; a GPS constellation simulator; and a highly-modified ground test vehicle.

Lt. Col. Stephen Russell, 746 TS commander, said AFMC's mission is to deliver war-winning expeditionary capabilities to the warfighter, and the squadron plays a key role in that mission by testing and evaluating Defense Department guidance, navigation and navigation warfare systems.

"We're excited to have had the opportunity to showcase our exceptional people and capabilities, as well as to emphasize our role in both testing and evaluating key warfighting capabilities for the DOD," said Colonel Russell. "In 2010 alone, the 746 TS executed more than 500 test missions and more than 4,000 test hours."

Before departing the base General Hoffman shared one last thought about Holloman.

"You have a national treasure here -- restricted air-space and a good weather environment -- that will always make Holloman a significant contributor to national defense," he said.

Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs contributed to this report.