F-16 Post Production Support

The F-16 Post Production Support program is a critical line item in the Air Force's Aircraft Procurement budget, designed to ensure the continued operational readiness and modernization of the F-16 fleet. The F-16 currently represents approximately 40% of the USAF fighter inventory, with over 830 aircraft supporting a wide spectrum of missions including air-to-air combat, close air support, air interdiction, and suppression/destruction of enemy air defenses. The overarching goal of this program is to provide post-production support that maintains and enhances the fleet's capabilities in response to evolving threats and operational requirements.

One of the primary objectives of this line item is the procurement and sustainment of support equipment and facilities necessary for F-16 operations. This includes deferred peculiar ground support equipment, training equipment, and mission support assets. These investments are essential for maintaining the aircraft's mission readiness and ensuring that both active duty and Air National Guard (ANG) units have the necessary resources for effective training and deployment.

The program also funds interim contractor support, which is vital for ongoing maintenance and modification activities. The line item specifically supports several key F-16 modification programs aimed at upgrading avionics and mission systems. These include the integration of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Modular Mission Computer/Programmable Display Generator (MMC/PDG), communications suite upgrades, Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (AGCAS), Secure Mission Data Systems (SMDS), and advanced simulators. Each of these upgrades is intended to address capability gaps, improve survivability, and ensure interoperability with allied forces.

The AESA radar enhances target detection and tracking, while AGCAS improves flight safety. A notable component in FY25 is the Congressional Add for the procurement of F-16 Simulators for the Air National Guard. This investment is justified by the need to provide advanced training capabilities that mirror operational environments, thereby improving pilot proficiency and readiness. Simulators also offer cost-effective training solutions and reduce wear on operational aircraft.

The Production Tooling Storage Management contract is another essential element of the program. This contract covers specialized engineering services to manage and store unique aircraft manufacturing equipment and tooling, which are required for producing spares and supporting aircraft modifications. Maintaining the Electronic Tool Inventory Management System (eTIMS) in partnership with Lexes Inc. and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Inc. ensures that critical tooling is available when needed, avoiding costly and time-consuming re-manufacturing processes. This aspect of the program also addresses Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issues, helping to mitigate risks associated with obsolete or unavailable components.

Additional objectives include the procurement of peculiar training equipment and support for the Pilot Training Center Beddown. These investments facilitate the establishment and sustainment of training infrastructure, ensuring that pilots and maintenance personnel are equipped with the latest tools and resources. The program also supports the integration of advanced electronic warfare suites, helmet-mounted targeting systems, and Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) upgrades, all of which contribute to the F-16's effectiveness in modern combat scenarios.