Page 93 - Combat Aircraft (January 2020)

without reaching the QF-4N. A second MUGU and a multitude of low- and high-
shot worked in the same manner. It was performance profiles. The QF-4s also
offered extensive video, analog, and
all going to plan until a sudden call of ‘RHINOS’ digital data collection systems that
‘lost link, lost link!’ provided real-time video and data
It meant the pilot on the ground who feedback during missions.
was ‘flying’ the QF-4 could no longer Naval Weapons Test Squadron Point When asked about the QF-4N, former
control the target aircraft due to a Mugu — later known as VX-30 — EA-6B pilot and senior QF-4N/S pilot
LCDR Chip Shanle said, ‘Flying the QF-4
operated numerous McDonnell Douglas
technical issue of some kind. Standard QF-4N and QF-4S Phantom IIs, which was the most diverse and the most fun
operating procedure was to cease fire participated in manned and unmanned flying job I’ve had in 15 years in naval
and knock it off, holding a safe distance test flights. The QF-4 was unique since aviation. It was one of the best-kept
from the target, and waiting to see if the it was the only supersonic high-altitude secrets in the navy, and when I first
link could be re-established. If not, the launch platform at the time for the came to Point Mugu I thought the
AQM-37C drone.
majority of what we did was prepare
Tomcats would have to ‘splash’ the F-4 The QF-4 made an excellent and fly NOLO flights. While that was
— take it out with one of their missiles. unmanned test platform when the our primary mission, it only accounted
Because the weapons on the F-14s did mission may have dictated unsafe for about five per cent of our annual
not have warheads, the plan was for a mission parameters. It had an on-board flight hours. The rest of our missions
direct impact, hoping that a high-speed Trimble GPS navigation system, which consisted of test and evaluation ‘hops’
guaranteed precise accuracy during
and fleet support including AQM-37
kinetic object such as a missile would a launch. QF-4 missions included drone launches. The QF-4 at the time
punch through the F-4, thus creating multi-sensor search and track via an was the only aircraft in the navy that
sufficient damage to bring it down. ATIMS (airborne tracking infrared could take an AQM-37 target drone
After about 15 minutes, the link had measuring systems) pod, dynamic to 50,000ft and Mach 1.5 for launch.
still not been regained. That meant it target presentations, forward-firing Despite its age back then, the F-4 was
the quintessential test and evaluation/
and freefalling ordnance, photo/safety
was fireball time. Could I really watch chase, electronic airborne jamming, fleet support aircraft in the world.’
the destruction of a mighty F-4 without
becoming teary-eyed? The Tomcats
were directed to slide in closer for a
‘Rhino kill’. They fired their remaining
missiles when within physical striking
range, yet the QF-4N still didn’t succumb
to the onslaught. When the F-14s were
‘Winchester’ — they’d expended all of
their missiles — they turned for Mugu.
Shortly thereafter came the call of ‘link
regained, link regained!’ It was safe
for us to rejoin the unmanned QF-4
with a mind of its own. We’d be able to
assess exactly what had happened in
the Tomcat attack and whether the jet
was safe for a retrieval attempt back at
San Nicolas Island. If not, it would be
programmed into a ‘circle of death’ until
its fuel ran out and it would plummet
into the Pacific.
As we gingerly moved in closer, initially
in echelon and then edging forward,
it dawned on us that the 600-gallon
centerline fuel tank was no longer
present. It had gone. Did a missile rip it
off or did this Phantom with a mind of
its own somehow jettison it? We never
knew for sure, but I’d wager a missile
took it off.
‘Shantini’ deemed the jet as being
fit for landing back on the island and
it touched down without incident. We
headed for Point Mugu. The Roadrunner
QF-4N continued to soldier on until it
eventually was put out to pasture in
2000. It was a day I’ll never forget, and
working with a US Navy master at the
helm of our ‘Rhino’ was so impressive.
Thank you, Chip.

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