QF-14

Why did not the US turn the F14 into QF14 drones rather than just cut
them up? How many F14's are left in the bone yard?

I see there are plans for QF-16's when the F4 supply runs low.

bob

On Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:09:34 -0600, bob urz
wrote:

Why did not the US turn the F14 into QF14 drones rather than just cut
them up? How many F14's are left in the bone yard?

I see there are plans for QF-16's when the F4 supply runs low.

There were some postings a while back when the F-14 was retired that
the decision was largely based upon costs (dollars and maintenance
hours per flight hour). I don't remember all the details but my
impression is that those costs are so high that a Q version would be
just too expensive.

"bob urz" wrote in message
...
Why did not the US turn the F14 into QF14 drones rather than just cut them
up? How many F14's are left in the bone yard?

I see there are plans for QF-16's when the F4 supply runs low.

bob

In 1969, we shot Sparrows at QF-9s (Panther)at Pt. Mugu from F-4B and Js
(Phantoms) as well as Sidewinders from F-8s. Later they used F-14s to shoot
Phoenix missiles at QF-4s-as well as Sparrows and Sidewinders. Now I see
all 3 of them at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. The beat goes on. No
aircraft looked more menacing than an F-4.

On Jan 26, 11:40*pm, "theref" wrote:
"bob urz" wrote in message

...

Why did not the US turn the F14 into QF14 drones rather than just cut them
up? How many F14's are left in the bone yard?

I see there are plans for QF-16's when the F4 supply runs low.

bob

In 1969, we shot Sparrows at QF-9s (Panther)at Pt. Mugu from F-4B and Js
(Phantoms) as well as Sidewinders from F-8s. *Later they used F-14s to shoot
Phoenix missiles at QF-4s-as well as Sparrows and Sidewinders. *Now I see
all 3 of them at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. *The beat goes on. *No
aircraft looked more menacing than an F-4.

Yeah and it probably has a huge RCS for a fighter. :-) I imagine the
return you would get from the
section where the swept wing and airframe meet is huge.