McDonnell Douglas QF-4B Phantom II

The McDonnell Douglas QF‑4B Phantom II is a converted version of the legendary F‑4 Phantom, repurposed by the United States Air Force as an unmanned aerial target (UAT) in the 1980s. Built by McDonnell Douglas, the original two‑seat fighter‑bomber first entered service in 1960 and proved versatile in air‑to‑air, air‑to‑ground and reconnaissance missions. In the early 1980s the Air Force needed realistic, high‑performance targets to test modern missile systems, and 73 F‑4Bs were modified with a remote‑control system, telemetry package, and expendable fuel tanks, becoming the QF‑4B. Key features include a Pratt & Whitney J79 turbo‑jet delivering 17,000 lbf thrust, a variable‑geometry wing, and a robust airframe capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.5 and altitudes over 60,000 feet, allowing it to mimic hostile aircraft. The QF‑4B could be flown crew‑less for up to two hours, executing complex flight profiles while transmitting data on maneuverability and radar cross‑section. Its service dramatically improved the reliability of surface‑to‑air and air‑to‑air weapons testing, and the program laid groundwork for later target drones such as the QF‑4C and modern UAVs. The QF‑4B remains a notable example of adapting a combat‑proven fighter into a critical training and weapons‑evaluation asset.