»Lockheed Martin
~ USAF and five European Participating Air Forces (EPAFs) -- Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal --
~ are receiving new technologies for their F-16s that will ensure the latest combat capabilities,
~ along with an unprecedented degree of interoperability and cost savings among these NATO allies
~ capabilities are being implemented mostly through software developed by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)
~ new software packages for the USAF F-16s, designated M3+, and the corresponding EPAF version, designated M3,
~ were released 2006 summer and are being implemented on aircraft having received appropriate avionics upgrades
~ there is a high degree of commonality in the software, with some differences owing to features that are unique to the various aircraft models
~ the most notable common new capabilities are the Link 16 data link and a helmet-mounted cueing system (HMCS
~ USAF F-16s also will be receiving a capability to deliver Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)
~ and have compatibility with Lockheed Martin Sniper XR targeting pod, both recently certified on the F-16
~ European F-16s will gain the capability to deliver the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)
~ M3+ is installed on 200-plus USAF Block 50 F-16C/Ds receiving F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) modification,
~ which is providing a common hardware upgrade to the cockpit and avionics of these and approximately 400 Block 40 F-16C/Ds
~ M3+ software update is being installed as a field retrofit to Block 50 aircraft already modified with CCIP hardware,
~ and the rest of the aircraft will receive the software loads during the initial depot modification at the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Utah
~ modification of the Block 40 aircraft will begin in 2006
~ M3 software will be installed on approximately 350 EPAF F-16A/Bs that have already undergone the F-16A/B Mid-Life Update modification
~ and are now receiving hardware changes associated with the M3 upgrade
~ M3 modification will take place at depot facilities in each country
~ currently working on M4/M4+ to be released in 2007 and M5/M5+ to be released in 2009
~ Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) provides a secure, jam resistant, high-capacity data communications link
~ with other fighters, airborne control aircraft and ground control centers
~ NATO-standard Link 16 ensures a high degree of interoperability between the USAF and allied air forces,
~ increased battlefield control, and excellent situational awareness for the pilots
~ Link 16 ensures that F-16s will be at the leading edge of network-centric warfare initiatives and
~ that they will interface well with next-generation combat aircraft, such as the F/A-22 and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
~ helmet-mounted cueing system allows various weapons and sensors to be cued to the pilot's line of sight,
~ and the pilot's eyes to be cued to targets that sensors are tracking, or targets data-linked from other sources
~ system is particularly useful in cueing and launching agile weapons, such as AIM-9X, at high angles off the aircraft's nose
~ value of these enhancements was made evident during separate initial operational test and evaluation activities performed in U.S and Norway
~ F-16 is the choice of 24 countries, more than 4,000 aircraft delivered worldwide from assembly lines in five countries
~ F-16 program has fostered unprecedented international cooperation among governments, air forces and aerospace industries
~ major upgrades to all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life