Thanks to a series of statements and public tenders, the United States Air Force (USAF) has hinted that its QF-16 fighter jets will remain in service until at least 2035. Commonly referred to by specialists as “F-16 Zombies,” they are used as targets for missile firing tests. However, the emergence of new stealth air threats from rival powers requires the Air Force to explore possible replacements that also feature these characteristics.
In mid-January, the U.S. Department of Defense made public a tender issued by the USAF to provide various maintenance and sustainment services for its aircraft. What makes this process unique is that the aircraft in question are the QF-16s used as aerial targets by the Air Force.
On the official U.S. government contracting website, a notice published on February 18 states: “The F-16 Contracting Branch (WAMKA) of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) is seeking to award an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract to provide post-production contractor logistics support (CLS) for the in-service QF-16 system, as well as repair or replacement of Drone Peculiar Equipment (DPE) and Peculiar Support Equipment (PSE).”
“The program office needs to maintain the fleet of approximately 90 QF-16s for an additional 10 years,” the notice added. “The technical data package and other necessary data rights for software and hardware maintenance may not be available without a partnership with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). A limited technical data package is available upon request for further details on this potential requirement.”
In addition to this publication, the U.S. Air Force has confirmed that it expects to continue operating its F-16 Zombies well into the 2030s. According to statements collected by The War Zone: “The current plan is to use the QF-16 through the 2030s,” a USAF spokesperson stated, adding, “The sustainment effort ensures the fleet’s airworthiness and compliance with safety requirements in the range.”
Going into more detail, the zombified F-16s can still be piloted by a human pilot for training purposes, as well as for other experimental roles. However, their primary function remains that of aerial targets for live-fire exercises or missile testing. This means they have a service life of approximately 300 flight hours.
The conversion process, which can be carried out by Lockheed Martin (as the current F-16 manufacturer) or Boeing (which has specific facilities for this purpose), costs between one and two million dollars.
Currently, the QF-16s operate from Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida and Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, where they are used respectively in the live-fire ranges over the Gulf of Mexico and the White Sands Missile Range.
However, as previously mentioned, the emergence of new stealth fighters from rival powers—such as China—imposes requirements that the QF-16s cannot meet in simulating fifth-generation stealth fighters. The situation is such that the Air Force is considering keeping a small fleet of F-117s in service until 2034 for training new pilots and conducting various tests.
Photos used for illustrative purposes.
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