Manned Destructive Suppression

The Manned Destructive Suppression program, identified as Program Element (PE) 0207136F in the Air Force's FY 2026 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, is focused on developing and sustaining capabilities for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD). The program's primary objective is to ensure that Air Force platforms, particularly the F-16, remain effective against evolving and increasingly sophisticated enemy air defense systems. This is achieved through continuous upgrades to the High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Targeting System (HTS), which is currently the only programmed reactive SEAD/DEAD capability for the Air Force.

The F-16 HARM Targeting System (HTS) line item supports the integration and enhancement of the AN/ASQ-213 targeting pod on F-16 Block 50/52 and Block 40/42 aircraft. The HTS enables the F-16 to employ HARM missiles in their most lethal operational modes, providing precision geo-location capabilities for targeting both fixed and mobile enemy air defense elements. The program's goals include maintaining the relevance of the HTS pod through Pre-Planned Product Improvements (P3I), such as Revision 7 (R7), which allows for simultaneous carriage of both the HTS R7 pod and an Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP), and facilitates sharing precision targeting data across Joint Forces via Link-16.

A major objective within the program is the P3I R7 Software Upgrade Program (SWUP), which encompasses risk reduction, iterative software development, and engineering efforts to support F-16 Operational Flight Profile (OFP) releases. These software upgrades are designed to keep the HTS pod capable in a rapidly evolving threat environment, incorporating improvements requested by operational users and findings from field deployments.

The SWUP process is structured to be agile, with multiple software builds (A, B, and C) released incrementally to address emerging requirements and maintain mission effectiveness.

The Flight Test component of the program is responsible for validating software upgrades and hardware modifications through rigorous test planning, execution, and post-test analysis. This includes both government flight test operations and ground testing, such as anechoic chamber evaluations, to ensure that new capabilities perform as intended in operational scenarios. Flight test activities also provide critical data for refining requirements and supporting future software releases.

Another key element is the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), which supports the development and testing of mission planning software upgrades that are necessary for effective fielding of HTS enhancements. JMPS ensures that aircrews can fully leverage new capabilities provided by SWUP releases, integrating them into broader mission planning processes and enabling more effective SEAD/DEAD operations.

The program also addresses Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) by allocating resources to mitigate risks associated with component obsolescence and supply chain disruptions. This includes leveraging digital acquisition strategies, promoting open and agile development, and supporting common component development across weapon systems to reduce redundant costs. Program management and administrative support are provided to oversee contract execution, facility upgrades, and security requirements.

The Manned Destructive Suppression program is structured under Budget Activity 7, Operational Systems Development, as it involves upgrading fielded systems and preparing for future production funding. The program's objectives are justified by the need to maintain air superiority and protect U.S. and allied aircraft from advanced enemy air defenses, while promoting efficiency, cost savings, and alignment with broader Department of Defense and Administration policies. Continuous software development, risk reduction, and agile release strategies are central to ensuring the F-16's SEAD/DEAD capabilities remain effective until the mission can be transitioned to newer platforms such as the F-35.