Holloman Test Marks First Firing From FSAT

For the first time, an air-to-ground missile was launched from a full-scale aerial target drone, or FSAT.  The test was performed January 9 by airmen at New Mexico's Holloman Air Force Base, with Detachment 1 of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron.

The FSAT is an unmanned QF-4 Phantom drone that was operated by remote control from a ground station, said Maj. John Markle, the detachment's operations officer.

"This is the first air-to-ground missile fired off an unmanned full-scale aerial target," said Markle. "This test is an important part of the Det. 1 mission because it increases survivability of our Airmen going against (surface-to-air missile) threats. Furthermore, it's the first time the drone has been able to shoot back.

"It makes airpower more lethal," Markle added. "This is a new high-speed, anti-radiation missile the Navy designed to defeat SAM threats; overall this mission is going to benefit the Department of Defense."

"With this successful test, we have pioneered a new venue to test forward-firing ordnance without risk to valuable air assets or crew members," said Lt. Col. Joel Rush, Det. 1's commander.

The detachment is currently testing F-35 Lightning components, and has conducted tests for the F-22 Raptor as well as the Patriot and HAWK SAM systems.

(Aero-News salutes Airman 1st Class Rachel Kocin, 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

FMI: www.af.mil