Lockheed Martin and Tracor Flight Systems are to collaborate in the development of the next-generation aerial target based on Lockheed Martin's F-16 fighter as well as uninhabited combat air vehicles (UCAVs).
"US Air Force inventory F-16s are being considered to support the collaboration," says the US aircraft manufacturer.
The company adds: "Under this approach, Lockheed Martin's research and development of low-cost flight-control concepts could result in flight-control computer enhancements that host many of the functions needed to convert a manned fighter into an unmanned target drone."
Tracor is a specialist in developing full-scale and sub-scale aerial targets, including the QF-106 and QF-4, and has become interested in using early-model, surplus F-16s as the next-generation drone.
The collaboration follows the recent award to Lockheed Martin of a six-month US Navy contract to define a family of UCAVs which could be launched from ships and submarines and be used to attack high-value fixed targets or suppress enemy air-defences within a range of 1,100km (600nm).
The company is also working with British Aerospace on a feasibility study involving the use of UCAVs for the UK's Future Offensive Aircraft System (Flight International, 15-21 October).
Source: Flight International
