QF-4E Phantom

The QF-4E Phantom is a supersonic, remotely piloted aerial target, modified from the highly successful McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The F-4 Phantom II first flew in 1958 and served as the primary fighter-bomber for the U.S. Air Force throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Production of the Phantom II ceased in 1979. The QF-4 variant provides a realistic full-scale target for air-to-air weapons system evaluation and testing. The QF-4s were crucial in extending the F-4’s service life, performing missions at locations such as Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and Holloman AFB, N.M., until they were retired as target drones in 2016.

McDonnell Douglas, the original manufacturer, was an aerospace giant formed from the merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. They produced some of the most prominent military and commercial aircraft in aviation history. The company later merged with Boeing in 1997.

Servicing the aircraft requires a range of dedicated access solutions. These solutions support detailed maintenance tasks across various sections of the aircraft, including the Nose Section (Windshield & Cockpit, Avionics), the Wing & Engine Pylon (Engine access, Hydraulics), and the Tail Section (Vertical Stabiliser, Horizontal Stabiliser). Specialized platforms and stands facilitate methodical maintenance access to critical areas throughout the airframe.