In March 2025, the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) announced plans to maintain a fleet of 90 QF-16 target drones for at least the next decade. These drones, converted from retired F-16 fighter jets, are crucial for realistic weapons testing and training. The QF-16 mimics modern aerial threats, helping to test missile systems and train pilots against advanced enemy tactics. Despite concerns about the aging airframes and increasing maintenance costs, the drones remain a cost-effective solution compared to developing new targets. The decision highlights the ongoing reliance on unmanned systems for training and testing, but also raises questions about balancing older technologies with next-gen drones.#QF16 #qf16 #F16