Intense Moment, US F-15 Pilot Destroy QF4 Aircraft With Missile

YouTube / The Daily Aviation

A Pricey Experiment

Drones have long been used extensively to test anti-aircraft weapons and other weapon designs. Through the use of the 1962 US Tri-Service aircraft designation system, one can quickly identify drones and UAVs by looking at their designation alone. 

Those with the letter “Q” are used to identify unmanned aerial vehicles. The video shows a QF-4 Phantom used by an F-15 for target practice. During these practice missions, the targets are flown over water/oceanic airspace specifically dedicated to UAVs. A myriad of missiles and rockets are used to shoot down these aircraft to test their potency and potential. 

If the tests returned excellent results, the US could then opt to order the weapon for mass production.