F-16 Squadrons
The F-16 is a multi-role fighter that comprises roughly 40% of the USAF fighter fleet with 810 aircraft supporting 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). F-16 posture and readiness combined with low operating costs delivers affordable capacity for the USAF and partner nations. Its capabilities continue to evolve, capitalizing upon advancements made in computers, avionics systems, engines, and structural technologies. These advancements meet emerging warfighter requirements to combat current and evolving enemy threats. Funding described in this document provides upgrades to the F-16 platform necessary for the delivery of joint lethality in the coming decades. These computer processing and avionics upgrades are critical to a modernized architecture compatible with current open, agile, and digital concepts that will maintain platform viability into the 2040s. Post-Block (40/42/50/52) and Pre-Block (30) F-16s have similar capabilities and are interoperable but require some independent modernization and sustainment of hardware, software, and training. The F-16 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program is one of the largest in DoW, providing assurance to 29 partners and growing. F-16 remains in production in South Carolina and additional nations continue to commit to new aircraft purchases. RDT&E efforts include, but are not limited to, enduring programs for Operational Flight Program (OFP) Software (SW) development, Integrated Test activities, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Simulators/Trainers, Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS), Next Gen Mission Computer (NGMC)- New Start, Engineering Manufacturing and Design (EMD) Hardware/Advanced capability improvements, M-Code, and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS). Programs complete or nearing full development completion for Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF-Mode 5) APX-127, Data Bus Cybersecurity, and F-16 Electrical Test Equipment. The FY2026 spend plan amount for RDT&E includes $229,857 thousand of discretionary and $82,500 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $312,357 thousand. Mandatory funds are for the IVEWS program.
Funding supports the fielding of M8.2 and begin the development for M8.3. M8.2 OFP will include the following major candidates: AESA phase III, Comm Suite upgrade, JASSM Dynamic Targeting Phase II, MIDS-JTRS queuing Enhanced Data Link (EDL) while maintaining and upgrading portions of the SIL to the M8.2 OFP baseline. Continuing to…
Read the FY2027 plan →Continuation of M8.2.7 DT/OT for Rehost of OFP, HRPDG and APX-127(V)1. DT/OT for Support for F-16 OFP SCU 15 and M8.3, DT/OT flight test of cybersecurity upgrades, VENOM, IVEWS, MMC, PDG, HSDN, and SMDS with A-GCAS OT. Continuation of integration of Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER). Integration of Stand-in…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work F-16 STP will support the continued acquisition, development, fielding, and integration of F-16 Simulators with a targeted FY27 focus on enhancing simulator concurrency with AESA 3.4, EDL, IVEWS, JASSM DT, Comm Suite, LDP-C & LDP 2nd PiP, SiAW, AARGM-ER, J-Voice, 3D Audio, CDU Win11, M7.4 Tape 11, ALE/ALR/ALQ EW Updates and supporting M8.2 and advanced weapons integration. This effort ensures warfighter readiness by enabling the USAF to train with the most current F-16 capabilities. FY27 Funds will be used to develop and implement specific agile software development features, support test, integration, and fielding of simulator updates, and address configuration changes aligned with…
FY2026 to FY2027 change No significant increase from FY2026 to FY2027
FY2026 plans — current year F-16 STP will support the acquisition, development, fielding, and integration of F-16 Simulators with an FY26 focus on enhancing simulator concurrency with M7.4 re-release and backlog items for AESA 3.3, EDL, IVEWS, JASSM DT, Comm Suite, LDP-C & LDP 2nd PiP, SiAW, AARGM-ER, J-Voice, 3D Audio, CDU Win11, M7.4 Tape 11, ALE/ALR/ALQ EW Updates. These effort ensures warfighter readiness by enabling the USAF to train with the most current F-16 capabilities. FY26 Funds will be used to complete and implement OFP specific agile software development features, support test, integration, and fielding of simulator updates, and address configuration changes aligned with aircraft modernization. These…
FY2027 planned work N/A - Development Complete
FY2026 to FY2027 change N/A - Development will end in FY26
FY2026 plans — current year Complete Production Readiness Review, Flight Test, and AIMS Certification.
Continued development and testing of AESA Phase 3.4 radar software capabilities which include completing integration of Enhanced Data Link, Improvements and Enhancements to A-A and A-G Combat Identification and Maritime Detection; Electronic protection improvements and engineering support to complete F-16 post block implementation of…
Read the FY2027 plan →Complete development and Qualification of Spiral 1 Software - Formal Qualification Testing (SFQT), Firmware Formal Qualification Test (FFQT), and Design Verification Testing (DVT). Start Spiral 2 Development, Big Iron development and lab demonstrations, Kit Proof installs on Test A/C #3 and #4, and Hardware Qualification.
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work Funding will start the integration and testing of the R-EGI box into the F-16 platform which includes but is not limited to SIL testing, Software Integration, Flight Testing, and Engineering support to integrate the R-EGI software into the M8 rehost of OFP.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Increase of $3.018M from FY26 to FY27 reflects program re-phasing for M Code integration onto the F-16 platform after development delays.
FY2026 plans — current year Engineering Services for FY24 Congressional Add that awarded Sep 25. Support required for development of prototypes, to include Group A mechanical, Group A electrical, and Software Integration Lab (SIL) support.
FY2027 planned work NGMC acquisition strategy approval, finalization of requirements, development contract award estimated Q2 FY27, and start of development efforts to include EMD asset buys. Concurrent Organic OFP Development (OO-ALC 309th SWEG) early efforts supporting hardware agnostic architecture and software modules, standup team of software developers/engineers, and purchase of tools/materials/licenses/equipment to build new organic OFP.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Program is a 2027 New Start