M Technologies, DRS Technologies and EDO have been awarded a $26 million five-year production contract by the US Air Force to produce a new bomb rack that will double the amount of munitions USAF Lockheed Martin F-16s can carry.
The contract calls for the production of 378 BRU-57 smart-bomb racks for USAF Block 50 F-16C/Ds, by remanufacturing surplus US Navy Boeing F/A-18C/D bomb racks, 1,100 of which are available for conversion. First deliveries are scheduled for October 2001.
Currently, F-16s can accommodate two pylon-mounted smart weapons such as the Raytheon Joint Standoff Weapon, the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition or the Lockheed Martin Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser. BRU-57s mounted at the mid-span hardpoint will be able to carry two smart munitions each.
Source: Flight International
