F-16 Squadrons

Abstract

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is the world's premier multi-mission fighter. It is a fixed-wing, high performance, single-engine fighter aircraft. In its 32-year history, the F-16 has proven itself in combat in a variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface missions such as close air support, combat air patrol, forward air control, battle air interdiction (day/night and all-weather) and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD)/Destruction of enemy air defenses (DEAD). Also during these years the aircraft has evolved in its capabilities to exploit the advances made in computer, avionics systems, engine, and structures technologies. The F-16 has been selected by more than 20 air forces around the world and foreign military sales production continues in the 21st century. AFMC ASC/WWM (The F-16 System Program Office) develops, integrates, and qualifies systems to enhance the overall performance of the F-16 mission. Enhancements which are being or will be developed during the FYDP include: a. Operational Flight Program (OFP) Development: Blk 40-52 OFP (M-tapes) are updated continually to integrate new precision weapons, advanced targeting pods, improved avionics and other HW Group B subsystems. Major tapes (e.g., M5/5+) are released every three years and a minor tape (e.g., M5.2+) is released 1 year after each major tape. The European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) countries participate in the development of M tapes and share the cost of developing common capabilities and totally fund development of their unique capabilities. Generally, three major or minor tapes are under development/testing at any one time. Extensive ground and flight testing is required to field each M tape. Advanced weapons integration includes Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM) and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM, Laser JDAM), Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), AMRAAM, AIM-9X and updates to existing weapons into the F-16. Weapons integration also includes tasks such as performing risk reduction activities on advanced weapon integration, developing and integrating advanced racks (BRU-69), pylons, adapters, and the Universal Armament Interface, and ensuring nuclear surety, safety and compatibility. ALR-56M SW updates allow for incorporation of latest updates for changing threat environment reducing warfighter vulnerabilities. Link 16 provides the F-16s with a secure, jam resistant, high-capacity data communications link with other combat aircraft, airborne control aircraft, and ground control centers. Major new capabilities currently being integrated via M- tapes include GPS/INS updates to improve targeting accuracy and GPS security , EGBU-12 (laser/GPS guided bomb), Mode 5 IFF, Small Diameter Bomb with Universal Armament Interface, AIM-120D, and Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS). As part of OFP Transition M6.5/M7+ OFP upgrade LM Aero and OO-ALC will split responsibility for software development. LM Aero will produce the common core software tape that will field as M6.5 with the EPAF nations and serve as the baseline for the USAF M7+ OFP. OO-ALC will have software development responsibility for the M7+ software/ hardware candidates being incorporated on USAF jets with M7+ Phase III OFP development schedule to start in FY12. b. The Mode 5 program for Blk 40/50 aircraft provides secure, encrypted IFF transponder/interrogator capability. Modifications to the Air-to Air Interrogator (AAI) system through integration of a Mode 5 capable Combined Interrogator/Transponder (CIT) capability will field with M6+ OFP. c. The F-16 Blk 40/50 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) includes both a structural service life extension program as well as an upgraded avionics (modernization) effort. The avionics modernization effort would include avionics upgrades to include an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar that offers improved Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) capabilities as well as improved reliability and maintainability, Center Pedestal Display (CPD), which replaces existing flight instrument cluster with large color multi-function display, Electronic Warfare (EW) updates (ALQ-213), which provides a single-point access for automated or hands-on EW system control, and Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS), that integrates multiple intelligence broadcasts into a system of systems and migrates tactical receive terminals into a single related Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT) family. The structural SLEP includes Full Scale Durability Test (FSDT) starting in FY11 and requires a test fixture to begin structural testing and analysis to determine whether the F-16 Block 40/42/50/52 airworthiness certification can be extended from the current certified service life of 8,000 Equivalent Flight Hours (EFH) to 10,000+ EFH. IAW the Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP) and MIL-STD 1530C, Testing will take approximately 3 years and supports a full up Blk 40/50 Structural upgrade development program that replaces or reworks known life-limited structure to preclude the onset of widespread fatigue damage, maintain safety of flight and enhance aircraft availability beyond 8,000 hours. d. Thunder Radar Pod: This is a development effort to procure one Thunder Radar Pod and associated equipment for testing. Funding provided by FY09 and FY10 Congressional adds. e. Auto Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS) is broken out separately for clarity. This effort builds on AFRL Fighter Risk Reduction program (FRRP) demonstrated capability and result in the Auto GCAS capability being production ready for incorporation in the M6.2+ OFP (Minor Tape) fielding in CY2014 with potential for nearly eliminating Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents, a leading cause of F-16 loss of pilot and aircraft accidents. f. EMD Hardware/Advanced Capability Improvements: EMD HW provides funding to develop, test, and qualify aircraft subsystems replaced or modified due to requirements changes, Pre-Planned Product Improvements (P3I) and Diminishing Manufacturing Source (DMS). The approach to contracting varies by individual project. These hardware improvements include but are not limited to flight systems, improved navigation, mux architecture, MMC upgrade, Embedded GPS/INS updates, Blk 40 Air-to-Air Interrogator (AAI), digital video recorder, Advanced Data Transfer Equipment (ADTE) and related data transfer devices, display upgrades, radio, communication studies, and CAS Data Link. Advanced Capability Improvements includes software integration, sensor upgrades, radar updates and other self-protection/electronic protection (EP) enhancements, 4th/5th gen fighter network communications, lab and/or on-aircraft evaluation of potential subsystem changes/capability improvements on the F-16 as well as establishment of associated requirement specification changes. These capability improvements also fund integration of pods including updates and tech order changes (SNIPER, HTS, LITENING, THUNDER POD, Theatre Air Reconnaissance System (TARS/RECCE) etc. g. Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) Communication Capability: The BLOS communication capability modification is in response to the revised AFCENT Urgent Operational Need to install BLOS capability in all fighter aircraft deploying in support of operational need date. This modification will provide a satellite communication (SATCOM) capability to communicate with many rotary wing and ground maneuver units in the theater of operations. BLOS development for Blocks 30/32 received an OMNIBUS reprogramming and funding to initiate Blocks 40-52 development/integration was provided in the FY08 Supplemental Bill. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

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Document Type: Project
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
Source ID: 672671_0207133F_7_3600_PB_2012

F-16 Squadrons

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