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Unidentified Drone Strikes U.S. Air Force F-16 During Arizona Training Flight in January 2023
A routine training flight over Arizona took an unexpected turn in January 2023 when a U.S. Air Force F-16D was struck by an unidentified object later confirmed as a small drone. This incident highlights the increasing interactions between military aircraft and unmanned aerial systems.
The event occurred on January 19, 2023, near Gila Bend, Arizona, during a standard mission. The instructor pilot in the rear seat of the two-seat fighter witnessed the collision firsthand.
Details of the Incident
According to a U.S. defense official, upon impact, the pilot observed a
