F-16 Squadrons

Abstract

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is the world's premier fixed-wing, high performance, single engine multi-mission fighter aircraft that comprises 50% of the AF fighter inventory. Operational since 1980, the F-16 has proven itself in combat in a variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, such as, offensive and defensive counter-air, close air support, forward air control, air interdiction (day/night and all-weather) and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD)/destruction of enemy air defenses (DEAD). The F-16 remains the USAF's primary SEAD/DEAD platform. The aircraft has evolved its capabilities by capitalizing upon advancements made in computers, avionics systems, engines, and structures technologies to meet emerging warfighter requirements; and combat current and evolving enemy threats. The F-16 has been selected by more than 20 air forces around the world and foreign military sales (FMS) production continues in the 21st century. The F-16 System Program Office continues to develop, integrate, and qualify systems/subsystems to enhance the overall performance of the F-16 weapon system to meet new mission requirements. Some of these include: Operational Flight Program (OFP) development on Block 40/42/50/52 OFPs are required to integrate new precision weapons, advanced targeting pods, improved avionics, hardware (HW) and software (SW) mods to meet DoD mandates and keep the F-16, the respective training simulators, and other hardware subsystems current; Legacy Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) is a two-phased RDT&E effort which includes a Full Scale Durability Test (FSDT) and Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) to support structural modifications to Block 40/42/50/52 aircraft to increase Certified Service Life (CSL) from 8,000 Equivalent Flight Hours (EFH) to 10,000 EFH (Threshold), or 12,000 EFH (Objective); EMD Hardware/Advanced capability improvements provides funding to develop, test, and qualify, weapon systems, aircraft subsystems replaced or modified due to requirements changes, pre-planned product improvements (P3I), diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS) and parts obsolescence; Modular Mission Computer (MMC)/Display Generator Upgrade resolves short falls in mission computer memory and throughput brought on by the addition of incremental combat capability and includes non-recurring engineering (NRE), design, development, integration, and ground/flight test for fielding; F-16 Training Simulator updates enable the USAF to exercise/train using the most current F-16 OFP available to all block configurations, to include both aircrew and maintenance trainers; JASSM-ER (Extended Range) integrates this advanced weapon on F-16 Blk 40/42/50/52 aircraft, and includes NRE, test assets, SEEK EAGLE, integration, and flight test. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because it 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. The FY2016 funding request was reduced by $18.524 million to account for the availability of prior year balances.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2016
• Source ID: 672671_0207133F_7_3600_PB_2016

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