Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

Does anyone know approximately how many older Block 25 and 30/32s were upgraded to the C+ or ++ configuration (Litening II, SADL, GPS, etc.)?

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Are you talking about CUPID?

There was no upgrade that I'm aware of. C+ just meant Blk 25/30/32's with targeting pod capability.

ViperDude

CUPID - Maybe. I'm thinking maybe it was just a group of upgrades to the 25/30/32s to give them targeting pods, SADL, AMRAAM, GPS, and color displays. It's hard to really nail it down. Apparently some Guard units had their 25s modded up to a "C+" standard that's almost a Block 50/52 equal.

Hello mouthwso,

The CUPID program embraces the following;

The Combat Upgrade Plan Integration Details (CUPID) effort is an ongoing initiative to bring older U.S. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command Block 25/30/32 F-16s closer to Block 50/52 specifications. CUPID focuses on adding improved precision attack capabilities, night vision equipment, datalinks, carriage of the Litening II / Sniper infrared targeting pod, and laser- and GPS-guided weapons.

AMRAAM capability was added in the early 1990s and was therefore not part of the CUPID integration. CUPID is a Block-25/30/32 upgrade program only and is in short a lot of TOs thrown into one. The installment of the AN/APX-113 AIFF system in some of the Block-25/30/32s became another subordinate of the CUPID progeam in 2005 / 2006. Few Block-25s had the APX-113 system installed as well as a handfull of the "Small Inlet" Block-30s and furthermore a few of the Block-32s now serving the CA ANG in Fresno.

Most AIFF Block-30s are "Big Inlet" examples and those systems installed in the Block-25s and "Small Inlet" Block-30s are to be removed as they retire and re-installed in remaining "Big Inlet" Block-30s that are to remain in service untill 2018 - 2020.

Cheers,

Henrik.

I've heard the ANG has upgraded their birds with color moving map displays. Was this part of CUPID?

discofishing wrote:

I've heard the ANG has upgraded their birds with color moving map displays. Was this part of CUPID?

Disco,

If You´re talking about the recently won Raytheon contract to retrofit ANG / AFRC Block-30s with the 6 x 8in centre pedestal display, then this is not part of CUPID. It´s a pre-SCU 8 - Systems Capabilities Upgrade - plan that will also see the Block-30s fitted with the Commercial Fire Control Computer (CFCC) replacing the Expanded Enhanced Fire Control Computer (EEFCC).

The Block-30 SCU 8 Phase I - planned for 2012 - will also see integration of the Helmet Mounted Cuing System (HMCS), Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) fielding, and Mode V advanced combat identification compliance. SCU Phase II is planned for 2014.

Cheers,

Henrik.

I can't quite find a source to back this up, but I believe it was a member of the AL ANG saying their Block 30's already had color moving map displays on their normal MFDs, the same as what the Polish AF got. I could be wrong though. I've also read the reserve units are going for the Scorpion HMS instead of the JHMCS. It's nice to see these Block 30s get some more advanced stuff, even if it makes the active duty guys jealous.

Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

F-16C+ (Converted Block 25 or 30/32)