Air Force seeks versatile, low-cost target drones for future combat training

In a bid to improve pilot and air-defense training, the U.S. Air Force is looking to acquire a new class of aerial targets that can faithfully emulate a spectrum of potential adversary platforms, from tiny consumer drones to advanced stealth fighters and bombers. The specification calls for drones capable of reaching Mach 1.6, operating at 40,000 feet, and performing high-G maneuvers, while also presenting low radar cross-sections, realistic infrared signatures, radio-frequency emissions and electronic-attack capabilities.

Current solutions illustrate a trade-off: the QF-16 offers genuine fighter performance but costs tens of millions per unit, whereas the subscale BQM-167A is inexpensive but cannot simulate high-end threats. The Air Force hopes the new system will bridge this gap, aligning with a Pentagon emphasis on cost-effective training amid ongoing challenges in replenishing its weapons stockpile. The request underscores the growing complexity of modern air combat and the need for training assets that can test the full kill chain without excessive expense.