The aircraft towing the dart is speed restricted when carrying the dart in the stowed position and when releasing the dart. The dart eventually extends a safe distance behind the tow and the tow is then free to maneuver. The attacking airplances then attempt to hit the dart when it is in a turn usually around 4 "G"s (four times the force of gravity). The shooter calls the hits as the dart is not visible from the tow due to the viewing angle from the F-4 cockpit. The shooter's hit is also scored by gun film or tape. Aircrews tasked with a primary air-to-air mission must qualify every six months unless waived.
This is a picture of a German Air Force F-4F from Jagdgeschwader 71 (Fighter Wing) 71 "Richthofen" stationed at Jever Air Base in northern Germany. The pilot was a USAF exchange officer and asked us to do the picture on the way to the western coast of Sardinia. The F-4F has a "dart" tow rig in place of the left outboard external 370 gallon tank. The dart is a dart shaped, white aerial target that is used to qualify with the Phantom's 20mm Vulcan cannon in the air-to-air environment.