Lt. Col. Dillon L. McFarland was over the Utah Test and Training Range, 25 miles northeast of Wendover, Utah, when the accident occurred.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the warrior we lost (Nov. 13)," said Col. Wayne Conroy, 419th FW commander. "This is a trying time for both the immediate and the Air Force family,"

McFarland was a traditional reservist and a commercial pilot. He joined the 419th FW in 1998 and had more than 3,000 flying hours in the F-16, including 85 combat hours.

A board of officers is investigating the accident.

"Our primary focus now is helping the family through this difficult time," Conroy said. "Our second priority is prevention. The Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation to attempt to determine the cause of the accident and to make recommendations to alleviate future incidents of this type." (Courtesy of AFRC News Service)

Two 388th Fighter Wing F-16s collided at 2:53 p.m. over the Utah Test and Training Range approximately 25 miles southeast of Wendover, Nev.

Huhtala was assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron here as part of the 388th Fighter Wing. Before arriving at Hill AFB in June, he was in pilot-training courses at Luke AFB, Ariz., and Sheppard AFB, Texas. He received his commission in 1999 from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.

The second pilot, Capt. David Roszmann, also from the 4th FS, ejected safely. He was rescued and transported to the base clinic where he was treated and released.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to Lieutenant Huhtala's family and all who knew him," said Col. Steve Hoog, commander of the 388th Fighter Wing. "This is a trying time for everyone involved. We ask everyone to remember him and his family in their prayers."

A board of officers is investigating the accident.

The Chilean Air Force has selected Israeli company RADA Electronic Industries to supply an Advanced Digital Debriefing Solution for its new F-16 C/D aircraft purchase. The solution consists of an airborne Digital Video, Audio and Data Recorder with a Ground Debriefing Station (GDS) capable of presenting simultaneously the digital video recording synchronised with a 3-D computerised representation of all aircraft involved in the mission.

For the airborne digital recorder, RADA has chosen the digital solid state MDR-87 (Mission Data Recorder) produced by TEAC America, which will include ACMI elements provided by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) MLM division. The MDR-87 will replace the base line F-16 Analogue Hi-8mm Video, V-83 AVTR, also produced by TEAC America.

The V-80/83 AVTR is installed on a majority of the F-16 aircraft world-wide. RADA will be the first company to replace the V-83 AVTR with a digital airborne recorder and provide a complete advanced digital debriefing solution for its customers.

Herzle Bodinger, RADA President & Chairman stated "RADA has previously provided a similar debriefing solution based on analogue video recording for the F-5 aircraft of the Chilean Air Force, through an upgrade programme of IAI LAHAV division. We are certain that other Air Forces world-wide will recognise the benefits from having an advanced debriefing tool and will follow the Chilean Air Force".

Lockheed Martin has delivered the first in a new lot of modernised F-16s for the US Air Force. It is the 2217th F-16 delivered to the Air Force.

The new aircraft will be used for suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) missions and to sustain the Air Force's overall multirole fighter force structure. Fourteen additional F-16s, procured in Fiscal Year 2000 (10 aircraft) and FY 2001 (four aircraft), will be delivered at a rate of one or two per month through December 2002. The last F-16 delivery to the Air Force was in April 2001, under an FY 1999 order.

The aircraft are the latest Block 50 single-seat versions with General Electric F110-GE-129 engines. Improvements include a modular mission computer, colour cockpit displays and recording equipment, on-board oxygen generating system, and the APX-113 advanced electronic interrogator/transponder. These production aircraft have common configurations with the Block 50 F-16s being modified in the first phase of the USAF F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Programme (CCIP). The first of the CCIP-modified aircraft was delivered last January.

"The US Air Force has been our main customer for the F-16, with 55 percent of all deliveries to date. F-16s will continue to be a large portion of the USAF fighter force for many years," said John L. Bean, vice president of F-16 programmes at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "Incorporating many of the CCIP upgrades in production reduces the retrofit effort and speeds up introduction of new capabilities to the operating squadrons."

More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered, hundreds more are on order for the United States and six other countries, and production is expected to continue beyond 2010. Major upgrades for all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has contracted Israeli avionics company RADA for the development of an Aircraft Structural Integrity Programme (ASIP) Flight Data Recorder Processing, Evaluating and Reporting of FORce Management Data Software (PERFORMS) in support of the F-16 aircraft. The deal is valued for 2002 at about $500,000

ASIP is a joint programme for all F-16 users, headed by the USAF. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in turn has contracted RADA to support them with this development effort.

This is the second year of this effort for which RADA has been under contract by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, as part of a long-term development effort that is supposed to last till 2005-2006.

Northrop Grumman has received a contract worth around $487 million from the US Air Force to provide engineering services and technical support for F-16 fighter fleets world-wide until at least 2020. The award specifically applies to the aircraft's fire control radar (AN/APG-66 and -68) and will cover the US Air Force and 16 other air forces through foreign military sales.

The firm-fixed-price award is an expansion of previous agreements between Northrop Grumman and the Air Force. In addition to engineering and technical support, it will include radar spares, repair and return of major components, acquisition of modification kits and on-site contractor support.

The name of the program, "Falcon 2020," signifies that the F-16 will remain in the inventories of the US and international air forces beyond the year 2020. As a Department of Defense acquisition reform initiative, Falcon 2020 provides flexible terms and conditions, making it easier for the department to contract with suppliers for F-16 support annually. Actual disbursements will depend on customer needs and available funding.

"This award is a testament to the Air Force's confidence in Northrop Grumman's ability to provide quality engineering and technical support, spares and other services for these radar systems over the long term," said Robert DuBeau, vice president of Avionics Systems at Northrop Grumman.

The 17 countries that will participate in Falcon 2020 include Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela and the United States.

Goodrich has won several contracts valued at approximately $40 million over the next two years, for F-16 wheels, brakes, and related spare parts. The orders include a consolidated order to provide advanced wheels and carbon brakes for the retrofit of a number of international military fleets of F-16 aircraft.

The wheels and brakes have been purchased for use on F-16 aircraft in Belgium, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Taiwan, and Thailand through the United States Air Force (USAF) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Deliveries of the wheel and brake assemblies to support this contract are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year.

In addition to the FMS orders, the USAF has ordered spare components from Goodrich to support their fleet of Goodrich equipped F-16 heavyweight and lightweight aircraft.

Goodrich supplies wheels and brakes for the entire USAF fleet of F-16 lightweight and heavyweight aircraft, along with wheels and brakes for the F-16s of 16 other countries.

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has selected GE's F110 fighter engine to power its new fleet of 12 Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft in an engine contract valued at more than $50 million. Oman becomes the 10th country to select the F110 engine family for its F-16 fighter fleet. More than 2,500 F110 engines have been ordered world-wide since the engine was first selected by the US Air Force in 1984.

Oman selected the F110-GE-129 model (rated at 29,000 pounds of thrust), which first entered operational service with the USAF F-16 fleet in 1992. F110 engine deliveries to the RAFO will begin in 2004.

"We are very gratified and delighted with the RAFO's confidence in GE with its selection of the F110 engine," said Russ Sparks, vice president and general manager of GE Aircraft Engines' Military Engine Operations (GEAE). "We look forward to providing our support to the new engine fleet."

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) -- A 23rd Fighter Squadron pilot here died March 20 in an F-16 Fighting Falcon crash.

Capt. Luke A. Johnson, 26, from Powell Park, Wyo., was on a training mission when air traffic controllers here lost radio and radar contact with him at about 9 p.m. Central European Time.

The aircraft crashed in a flat, wooded, unpopulated area along a logging road near Lanscheid, Germany.

There were no injuries or apparent damage to personal property on the ground. At the time of the accident, visibility in the area was 5 miles with light rain and fog.

A memorial service is scheduled for March 24 at the base here.

A board of Air Force officials will investigate the accident (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service)

The Chilean Air Force has selected Israeli company RADA Electronic Industries to supply an Advanced Digital Debriefing Solution for its new F-16 C/D aircraft purchase. The solution consists of an airborne Digital Video, Audio and Data Recorder with a Ground Debriefing Station (GDS) capable of presenting simultaneously the digital video recording synchronised with a 3-D computerised representation of all aircraft involved in the mission.

For the airborne digital recorder, RADA has chosen the digital solid state MDR-87 (Mission Data Recorder) produced by TEAC America, which will include ACMI elements provided by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) MLM division. The MDR-87 will replace the base line F-16 Analogue Hi-8mm Video, V-83 AVTR, also produced by TEAC America.

The V-80/83 AVTR is installed on a majority of the F-16 aircraft world-wide. RADA will be the first company to replace the V-83 AVTR with a digital airborne recorder and provide a complete advanced digital debriefing solution for its customers.

Herzle Bodinger, RADA President & Chairman stated "RADA has previously provided a similar debriefing solution based on analogue video recording for the F-5 aircraft of the Chilean Air Force, through an upgrade programme of IAI LAHAV division. We are certain that other Air Forces world-wide will recognise the benefits from having an advanced debriefing tool and will follow the Chilean Air Force".

Lockheed Martin has delivered the first in a new lot of modernised F-16s for the US Air Force. It is the 2217th F-16 delivered to the Air Force.

The new aircraft will be used for suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) missions and to sustain the Air Force's overall multirole fighter force structure. Fourteen additional F-16s, procured in Fiscal Year 2000 (10 aircraft) and FY 2001 (four aircraft), will be delivered at a rate of one or two per month through December 2002. The last F-16 delivery to the Air Force was in April 2001, under an FY 1999 order.

The aircraft are the latest Block 50 single-seat versions with General Electric F110-GE-129 engines. Improvements include a modular mission computer, colour cockpit displays and recording equipment, on-board oxygen generating system, and the APX-113 advanced electronic interrogator/transponder. These production aircraft have common configurations with the Block 50 F-16s being modified in the first phase of the USAF F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Programme (CCIP). The first of the CCIP-modified aircraft was delivered last January.

"The US Air Force has been our main customer for the F-16, with 55 percent of all deliveries to date. F-16s will continue to be a large portion of the USAF fighter force for many years," said John L. Bean, vice president of F-16 programmes at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "Incorporating many of the CCIP upgrades in production reduces the retrofit effort and speeds up introduction of new capabilities to the operating squadrons."

More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered, hundreds more are on order for the United States and six other countries, and production is expected to continue beyond 2010. Major upgrades for all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has contracted Israeli avionics company RADA for the development of an Aircraft Structural Integrity Programme (ASIP) Flight Data Recorder Processing, Evaluating and Reporting of FORce Management Data Software (PERFORMS) in support of the F-16 aircraft. The deal is valued for 2002 at about $500,000

ASIP is a joint programme for all F-16 users, headed by the USAF. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in turn has contracted RADA to support them with this development effort.

This is the second year of this effort for which RADA has been under contract by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, as part of a long-term development effort that is supposed to last till 2005-2006.

Northrop Grumman has received a contract worth around $487 million from the US Air Force to provide engineering services and technical support for F-16 fighter fleets world-wide until at least 2020. The award specifically applies to the aircraft's fire control radar (AN/APG-66 and -68) and will cover the US Air Force and 16 other air forces through foreign military sales.

The firm-fixed-price award is an expansion of previous agreements between Northrop Grumman and the Air Force. In addition to engineering and technical support, it will include radar spares, repair and return of major components, acquisition of modification kits and on-site contractor support.

The name of the program, "Falcon 2020," signifies that the F-16 will remain in the inventories of the US and international air forces beyond the year 2020. As a Department of Defense acquisition reform initiative, Falcon 2020 provides flexible terms and conditions, making it easier for the department to contract with suppliers for F-16 support annually. Actual disbursements will depend on customer needs and available funding.

"This award is a testament to the Air Force's confidence in Northrop Grumman's ability to provide quality engineering and technical support, spares and other services for these radar systems over the long term," said Robert DuBeau, vice president of Avionics Systems at Northrop Grumman.

The 17 countries that will participate in Falcon 2020 include Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela and the United States.

Goodrich has won several contracts valued at approximately $40 million over the next two years, for F-16 wheels, brakes, and related spare parts. The orders include a consolidated order to provide advanced wheels and carbon brakes for the retrofit of a number of international military fleets of F-16 aircraft.

The wheels and brakes have been purchased for use on F-16 aircraft in Belgium, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Taiwan, and Thailand through the United States Air Force (USAF) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Deliveries of the wheel and brake assemblies to support this contract are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year.

In addition to the FMS orders, the USAF has ordered spare components from Goodrich to support their fleet of Goodrich equipped F-16 heavyweight and lightweight aircraft.

Goodrich supplies wheels and brakes for the entire USAF fleet of F-16 lightweight and heavyweight aircraft, along with wheels and brakes for the F-16s of 16 other countries.

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has selected GE's F110 fighter engine to power its new fleet of 12 Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft in an engine contract valued at more than $50 million. Oman becomes the 10th country to select the F110 engine family for its F-16 fighter fleet. More than 2,500 F110 engines have been ordered world-wide since the engine was first selected by the US Air Force in 1984.

Oman selected the F110-GE-129 model (rated at 29,000 pounds of thrust), which first entered operational service with the USAF F-16 fleet in 1992. F110 engine deliveries to the RAFO will begin in 2004.

"We are very gratified and delighted with the RAFO's confidence in GE with its selection of the F110 engine," said Russ Sparks, vice president and general manager of GE Aircraft Engines' Military Engine Operations (GEAE). "We look forward to providing our support to the new engine fleet."

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) -- A 23rd Fighter Squadron pilot here died March 20 in an F-16 Fighting Falcon crash.

Capt. Luke A. Johnson, 26, from Powell Park, Wyo., was on a training mission when air traffic controllers here lost radio and radar contact with him at about 9 p.m. Central European Time.

The aircraft crashed in a flat, wooded, unpopulated area along a logging road near Lanscheid, Germany.

There were no injuries or apparent damage to personal property on the ground. At the time of the accident, visibility in the area was 5 miles with light rain and fog.

A memorial service is scheduled for March 24 at the base here.

A board of Air Force officials will investigate the accident (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service)

The US Defense Security Co-operation Agency has notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Austria of F-16 fighters and associated equipment and services. The US F-16 is in competition with the BAE SYSTEM/SAAB JAS 39 Gripen to replace the Austrian Air Forces ageing JAS 35 Drakens.

This proposal, for 30 F-16A/B aircraft, is an alternative cheaper, proposal to the US Government's previous offer of new C/D aircraft, valued at $1.7 billion, notified on 29 November 2001.

The total value of this proposal, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1 billion.

The possible sale is for 30 F-16A/B aircraft upgraded with the Falcon Up structural modification and the Mid-Life Update (MLU) capability modification. The aircraft includes: F-100-PW-220 alternate fighter engines, AN/APG-66(V)2 radar sets, LAU-129 launchers, M61A1 20mm cannons, provisions for AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Counter Measure pods, PANTERA (LANTIRN derivative) or LITENING II targeting pods, and the capability to employ a wide variety of munitions.

It also includes: four F-16A Block 10 operational capabilities upgrade aircraft for cannibalisation, four spare F-100-PW-220 engines, 4,000 rounds of 20mm cannon ammunition, eight AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Counter Measure pods, 16 PANTERA (LANTIRN derivative) or 16 LITENING II targeting pods, 30 M61A1 20mm cannons, and the associated support equipment and necessary logistic and training support to ensure full programme supportability.

The MLU modification is an outgrowth of the development programme notified to the Congress in August 1990. This multi-national effort has included the countries of Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal who have worked with the US Air Force in the full scale MLU engineering development and integration effort. The MLU is an avionics retrofit programme for F-16 aircraft consisting of: Heads-Up Display Pilot's Display Unit, AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe, Common Colour Multi-Function Displays, Common Programmable Display Generator, Modular Mission Computer, Voice Message Unit, Common Data Entry Electronics Unit, Global Positioning System antennas, Interference Blanking Unit, and configuration of the APG-66( V)2 radar.

The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas; Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut; SABCA in Gosselies, Belgium; and Fokker Services in The Netherlands. One or more proposed offset agreements may be related to this proposed sale.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has been awarded an approximately $69 million post-production support contract to support the world-wide F-16 fleet. The programme, named Falcon 2020, reflects the fact the F-16 will be in the inventory of the US Air Force and international air forces well beyond the year 2020 and the commitment to fully support the aircraft over its service life. The programme was designed to enhance the F-16's combat capability, readiness and sustainability.

The contract, a renewable multi-year contracting arrangement with actual amounts depending on needs of the customers and funding available, provides for engineering services and technical support, repair and return, contractor support, acquisition development and integration, and supplies in support of the F-16 weapon system. This new multi-year contract arrangement includes more flexible terms and conditions that make it easier for the US government to contract with Lockheed Martin for support of the F-16 on an annual basis.

"This new long-term contracting arrangement will allow the US Air Force and other international customers a more cost-effective contracting method for sustaining their F-16 fleets. It reflects a long-term commitment on the part of both the US government and Lockheed Martin for F-16 fleet support and upgrade for the next two decades and beyond,'' said John L. Bean, vice president of F-16 Programmes for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.

The value of the orders on the contract is approximately $69 million. According to the US Department of Defense, the estimated potential value is approximately $12.7 billion over a 23-year period.

The Falcon 2020 programme is a Department of Defense acquisition reform initiative that was conceived in 1994 and was first contracted in 1997. It was a five-year renewable contract. The programme grew from the initial seven countries to the current 17 participating countries. Three new features of the new Falcon 2020 contract are repair and return of major components, acquisition of modification kits (including future major capability upgrades), and on-site contractor support.

The 17 countries who have participated in the Falcon 2020 programme include: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Bahrain, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Korea, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela and the United States. This programme will be available to new F-16 customers as well.

The F-16, the world's most sought-after fighter, is the choice of 22 countries. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered, hundreds more are on order for the US, and six other countries, and production is expected to continue beyond 2010. Major upgrades for all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The failure of the steering system caused the Oct. 17 crash of an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter during takeoff at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, said Air Force officials who investigated the incident.

The pilot, Capt. Casey J. Tidgewell, sustained minor injuries after ejecting from the aircraft. Tidgewell was assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron at Hill. The aircraft left the runway and suffered heavy damage when its right wingtip hit the ground.

According to the Accident Investigation Board report released Feb. 14 by Air Combat Command officials, the aircraft's front tire failed during takeoff, spraying debris that severed critical wires. The result was a loss of steering control.

After several failed attempts to regain control of the aircraft, Tidgewell ejected. (Courtesy of ACC News Service)

Officials of the government of Chile signed a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) yesterday for 10 F-16C/D aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.

The LOA outlines a Foreign Military Sales agreement between the governments of Chile and the United States, with total value of about $500 million. A contract between the prime contractor Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force is expected later this year and will be worth approximately $400 million.

The aircraft will be delivered between mid 2005 and mid 2006.

Henry Gomez, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics director for market development in the Americas region, described the F-16 as a high-technology fighter that will satisfy Chile's programme needs. "For Chile, the F-16 met or exceeded all the technical and operational requirements of the Chilean Air Force. The Chilean Air Force will benefit from the associated training opportunities and interoperability with the US Air Force. As a nation, Chile will also be able to benefit from the technology transfer by Lockheed Martin and the F-16 industrial team as a part of the associated industrial co-operation program,'' said Gomez

The mix of aircraft will be six single-seat F-16Cs and four two-seat F-16Ds. The aircraft is the latest version of the Block 50 F-16 and is powered by the General Electric F110-GE-129 engine, which is being procured under separate commercial arrangements.

The F-16 is a candidate in the current F-X fighter competition in Brazil.

Close co-operation between Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and the US Air Force enabled the Ogden Air Logistics Centre (ALC) to complete modification of the first US Air Force aircraft in the F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Programme (CCIP) ahead of schedule.

The F-16 CCIP, valued at over $1 billion, will enhance the cockpit and avionics of about 650 Block 40/50 F-16s in the USAF inventory. The modification will provide hardware and software commonality to the USAF Block 40/50 fleet, thus improving logistics support and reducing costs of future upgrades. In addition, the modification provides a high degree of commonality with F-16A/Bs being upgraded by five European NATO countries and with advanced Block 50/52 versions currently being developed for several other countries.

CCIP development began in June 1998. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, the prime contractor for CCIP, delivered the first production retrofit kits early, in June 2001. Currently, 15 F-16s are undergoing the CCIP mod at Ogden, and 31 kits have been delivered.

Recently, the USAF issued a $85 million contract modification authorising the Fiscal Year 2002 CCIP kit buys. The first of these kits will be delivered late this year.

CCIP modification of aircraft is being implemented in phases. The first phase involves only new core computers and colour cockpit modifications to some Block 50/52 aircraft. In September 2002, Block 50/52 aircraft will begin receiving the advanced interrogator/transponder and will be able to employ the Lockheed Martin Sniper XR advanced FLIR targeting pod.

The next phase, starting in July 2003, adds the NATO-standard Link 16 data link, the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System and an electronic horizontal situation indictor. The Block 50/52 aircraft receiving the modifications in the earlier phases will go back through the depot mod line at Ogden to receive the additional changes. The Block 40/42 versions will receive the entire modification all at one time, beginning in 2005.

Smiths Aerospace has contracted Israeli company RADA Electronic Industries Ltd for the production of Digital Video Ground Debriefing Stations for the F-16I of the Israeli Air Force (Peace Marble V). The contract is valued about $3 million.

The Israeli Air Force is the first airforce to use digital video recording on its F-16 aircraft. Smiths Aerospace provides the digital video airborne recording unit for the F-16I. According to the MOA signed between both companies, RADA will develop and provide Smiths Aerospace Digital Video Ground Debriefing Stations for the IAF.

The Digital Video Ground Debriefing Station is a commercial PC based system, designed for advanced squadron level, post-flight debriefing. The Ground Debriefing Station can easily be upgraded to include Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI).

"We are certain that the Digital Video Ground Debriefing Stations are perfectly suitable for the sophisticated needs and special requirements of the Israeli Air Force,'' said Maj. General (Res.) Herzle Bodinger, RADA President & Chairman.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFPN) -- The first F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 50 fighter retrofitted in the Common Configuration Implementation Program roared back to life recently, increasing pilot training efficiency and reducing the enemy's ability to hide.

The CCIP will refit all the Air Force's Block-40 and -50 F-16s during the next 10 years, creating identical cockpits in each fighter and increasing communication abilities with land, air and sea forces, Officials said.

"This is the biggest electrical modification ever performed on the F-16," said Rick Merrill, F-16 CCIP production chief. "It's going to be a valuable asset to the pilots in the field."

Identical cockpits mean pilots will no longer have to be trained for different configurations, he said.

"They'll be able to fly every F-16 that's been retrofitted," Merrill said.

So far, the program is going smoother than anticipated, Merrill said.

Crews were prepared for the worst but right now all of the aircraft that have been inducted are on or ahead of schedule, he said.

Seven planes have been completed and are preparing to return to their unit. Entire squadrons of planes are being sent, causing affected units to stand down while the retrofitting is taking place.

Making sure the program stays on track and units receive their planes ready to fly on time is essential to success, Merrill said.

"The first couple of planes we produced were ahead of schedule," he said. "We placed a lot of emphasis on them to allow our flight test area a little buffer zone for software glitches and other complications.

"The credit for our success so far belongs to the technicians, some of whom have only seen two planes so far," he said. "Their combined spirit and ingenuity in what they're doing shows daily as they find ways to do the job faster and better."

Merrill went on a "hiring frenzy" a year before the program started to find the best and brightest technicians to do the work.

Those chosen have gone through almost a year's worth of extensive classroom and hands-on training to do the job and more technicians are still needed to get the job done, he said.

Technicians work around-the-clock in three shifts to get the job done, Merrill said. Two full-strength crews work day and swing shifts while a skeleton graveyard shift works critical paths to make sure contract deadlines will be met.

Since entire squadrons of planes are sent in together for retrofitting, Merrill said the importance of reducing the time it takes to do the job is a constant concern for him and his crew.

"Daily, technicians are finding ways to reduce flow time of the retrofitting," Merrill said. "The technicians are very innovative on how to reduce items that come up. As we do more aircraft, we're looking at ways to reduce the flow and return the fighters to the field faster." (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company has been awarded a contract for delivery of F-16 modification kits to upgrade the capability of F-16s used by air forces in several European countries. Total programme value, including options, is approximately $142 million.

The contract is for delivery of 306 modification kits, an option for 39 additional kits, plus spares, support equipment and technical manual changes. These kits will be used to upgrade F-16s previously modified with the F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU), and operated by the air forces of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. Portugal is planning to incorporate this modification on its F-16s as well, but under a separate contract at a later date.

"The European Air Forces continue to enjoy the economies of scale and interoperability of our F-16s,'' said Lt. Gen. Dick L. Berlijn, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. "MLU combined with this new upgrade will keep our F-16s on the leading edge of fighter capability in the critical areas of cockpit, avionics, sensors and weapons.''

Provisions for this new upgrade, called 'M3', were included in the original F-16 MLU modification, and the upgrade gets its name from the nomenclature of the software portion of the change. New systems/capabilities include:
- Link 16. Asecure, jam-resistant, high-volume, NATO-standard data communications that significantly increase pilot situation awareness
- Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System. A new US helmet display for improved situation awareness and employment of high-off-boresight weapons
- Upgraded processors and displays at lower cost and improved supportability
- US family of new 'smart weapons'. The Joint Direct Attack Munition, Joint Stand-Off Weapon, Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser all provide all-weather, precision attack from standoff distances.

There are also enhancements to existing systems including the multimode radar, electronic warfare management system and reconnaissance pods.

The MLU programme shares a common avionics architecture and has extensive hardware and software commonality with the US Air Force's Common Configuration Implementation Program, a major cockpit and avionics upgrade to about 650 Block 40/50 F-16C/Ds.

The new modernisation kits will be produced and assembled in the United States. Kit installation will be done in depot facilities in each of the respective European countries.

Development of the M3 upgrade began in 1998. Development testing of the software began Dec. 5, 2001, and will continue through 2003. Long-lead effort on kit production was initiated in September 2000.

M3 kit deliveries will begin in the second quarter of 2002 and will continue through mid-2007. Operational evaluation testing begins in late 2002, and software release to operational units is scheduled for spring 2004.

Astronics Corporation's Luminescent Systems, Inc (LSI), has won a contract to provide spare parts for the US Air Force's fleet of F-16 fighters. The contract covers a base period of two years with options for eight additional years. The contract value will be determined by the actual quantity of spare parts purchased. Based on the estimates provided by the US Air Force, the total contract value will be in excess of $30 million if all the options are exercised.

This contract is separate from, but related to, the contract the company won in April of 1998 that also involved parts for F-16 aircraft. That contract, which is still in production, is to equip the fleet with night vision compatible lighting systems. The US fleet includes more than 1,100 F-16 aircraft.

"We have worked hard on the original F-16 NVIS programme the last few years, and the programme has been very successful. We consider the Air Force's selection of LSI to provide the necessary replacement and spare parts going forward a significant endorsement of our hard work and capabilities,'' said Peter J. Gundermann, President of LSI.

The Boeing-Vision Systems International Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) recently began flight-testing on the US Air Force's F-16, its third platform, as testing on the Air Force's F-15 and the US Navy's F/A-18E/F nears completion.

The Air Force began flight-testing on the F-16 with two missions at Edwards Air Force Base in California last month. Those focused on the system's air-to-air and air-to-ground operation. F-16 manufacturer Lockheed Martin is responsible for integrating the system on that aircraft.

''F-16 flight-testing continues our progress toward providing the transformational capabilities of the JHMCS,'' said Stephen Winkler, Boeing's JHMCS programme manager.

Alan Brown, F-16 JHMCS integration team leader at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Ft. Worth, Texas, added, ''the main helmet functions operated as expected, and the missions went well.''

The JHMCS displays flight information on the inside of helmet visors, keeping that data in sight at al l times. It also allows aiming or deploying sensors and air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons with little more effort than looking at a target and pressing a switch.

Boeing integrates the system on its F-15 and F/A-18, and flight-testing on these aircraft should be completed by March. Earlier this year, the company was awarded a second low-rate production contract for 131 JHMCS systems, with units ordered for all three aircraft, and a third low-rate production order is expected in March. Customers for the programme outside the United States include the Greek Hellenic Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.

The pilot from the New Jersey Air National Guard, based out of the Atlantic City International Airport, ejected safely, but with minor injuries.

The plane crashed in a heavily wooded area near a highway.

Air Force officials will investigate the incident.