Extensive testing overcomes software problems and upgraded fighters will be ready to fly this year in Europe
The third major element of Europe's multinational Lockheed Martin F-16 mid-life update (MLU) is expected to be deployed operationally by the end of 2004, following the completion of extensive operational flight programme testing in Europe and the USA.
The M3.3B tape version is the latest phase of the MLU effort, which saw initial M1 improvements introduced in 1998. The enhancement is almost a year later into service than originally planned, due to the greater-than-expected complexities of integrating systems such as the Link 16 datalink and modular mission computer (MMC).
The M3 software is largely hardware-related and also adds the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), plus the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Joint Stand-off Weapon and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser air-to-surface weapons. The MMC plays a critical part in the upgrade, being responsible for fire control, stores management and head-up-display processing, including the addition of new helmet-mounted display features.
Initial M3 testing took place at Edwards AFB, California from early 2002 and continued until May 2004. An early operational assessment at Leeuwarden airbase in the Netherlands in mid-2003 revealed a series of potential issues, including several crashes of the MMC during its first test in a Europeanised format, dubbed MMC-3051.
The problems stemmed from overloads during the combined use of the JHMCS and radar modes. The issues were also seen during Phase 1 operational test and evaluation (OT&E) trials at Orland, Norway between February and March this year, when eight M3-loaded F-16s flew with aggressor aircraft and communicated with NATO and UK Royal Air Force Boeing E-3A/D airborne warning and control system aircraft.
A second set of random MMC crashes were also encountered, and were thought to have been caused by an unidentified software bug in the Link 16 files.
A Lockheed Martin-developed solution for the radar MMC restarts (M3.3B) was tested during OT&E Phase 2 at Nellis AFB, Nevada during the annual "Red Flag" exercise last April. Three M3-equipped aircraft operated for more than 108h over 76 sorties, resulting in the test team rating the system's performance as being 86% satisfactory - a 20%improvement over Phase 1. The exercise included the first operational deployment of a JDAM on a Dutch F-16, and demonstrated a "significant reduction" in MMC restarts, says the OT&E team.
Development test work on an M4 tape, covering further enhancements and weapons systems integration, is now getting under way and completion of requirements for a final M5 software load is due by the end of the year.
The upgrade is being introduced to around 390 F-16A/Bs operated by Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. The MMC portion of the MLU is also used by the US Air Force in its Block 40/50/52 F-16s.
GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES
Source: Flight International
