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Raytheon wins development contract for the F-16 ejection rack
January 12, 2006 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
A subsidiary of Raytheon Company has been awarded a $2.1 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to design and develop an interface modification for the existing Triple Ejection Rack (TER-9A) to expand the munitions capability of the F-16 aircraft.
Options included in the contract provide a potential additional value of $6.3 million.
"With the enhanced capability to provide more precision-guided weapons per sortie at a lower cost, the Smart Triple Ejection Rack (Smart TER) will have the ability to become a true force multiplier and serve a vital role toward enabling mission success," stated Lt. Col. Phil Louden, Aging Aircraft Systems Squadron commander.
Under the basic contract, Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC) will design, develop and test a Smart TER. Program options can be exercised for the production of a limited number of proof-of-concept units. Work will be performed in Indianapolis.
"There is a compelling combat need for this modification," said Larry Parsons, program manager for Aircraft Auxiliary Systems at RTSC. "This addition of smart weapons to the force commanders' arsenal not only provides them flexibility but also significantly increases the precision munitions available to them."
To provide this enhanced capability, the aircraft interface of the TER-9A will be modified to allow it to carry multiple smart weapons, including the JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition), the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser, and MALD (the Miniature Air Launched Decoy), in addition to the conventional weapons it currently carries. By modifying an existing ejection rack to provide the increased capability rather than adding additional carriage equipment to the aircraft, the Smart TER program can significantly reduce the logistics footprint and cost.
Raytheon has a long history of successfully designing, developing and producing weapons carriage and release systems in response to customers' critical mission needs. The knowledge and best practices developed through years of experience allow Raytheon to develop a low-risk, rapid-response solution for the Smart TER requirement.
"Raytheon recognizes that the Smart TER is imperative for the Air Expeditionary Force and has the experience to deliver this breakthrough technology quickly and cost-effectively," said John Balaguer, RTSC vice president and general manager of RTSC's Indianapolis-based business unit. "Our experience also provides excellent insight into future supportability requirements the Smart TER program is likely to encounter, allowing us to design a solution informed by likely future requirements to extend the Smart TER life and ensure it remains a significant component in successful missions for years to come."
A triple ejector rack (TER) mounted on RDAF F-16B block 15 #ET-022 at Aalborg AB on July 3rd, 1992. [Photo by Erik Frikke]
"With the enhanced capability to provide more precision-guided weapons per sortie at a lower cost, the Smart Triple Ejection Rack (Smart TER) will have the ability to become a true force multiplier and serve a vital role toward enabling mission success," stated Lt. Col. Phil Louden, Aging Aircraft Systems Squadron commander.
Under the basic contract, Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC) will design, develop and test a Smart TER. Program options can be exercised for the production of a limited number of proof-of-concept units. Work will be performed in Indianapolis.
"There is a compelling combat need for this modification," said Larry Parsons, program manager for Aircraft Auxiliary Systems at RTSC. "This addition of smart weapons to the force commanders' arsenal not only provides them flexibility but also significantly increases the precision munitions available to them."
To provide this enhanced capability, the aircraft interface of the TER-9A will be modified to allow it to carry multiple smart weapons, including the JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition), the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser, and MALD (the Miniature Air Launched Decoy), in addition to the conventional weapons it currently carries. By modifying an existing ejection rack to provide the increased capability rather than adding additional carriage equipment to the aircraft, the Smart TER program can significantly reduce the logistics footprint and cost.
Raytheon has a long history of successfully designing, developing and producing weapons carriage and release systems in response to customers' critical mission needs. The knowledge and best practices developed through years of experience allow Raytheon to develop a low-risk, rapid-response solution for the Smart TER requirement.
"Raytheon recognizes that the Smart TER is imperative for the Air Expeditionary Force and has the experience to deliver this breakthrough technology quickly and cost-effectively," said John Balaguer, RTSC vice president and general manager of RTSC's Indianapolis-based business unit. "Our experience also provides excellent insight into future supportability requirements the Smart TER program is likely to encounter, allowing us to design a solution informed by likely future requirements to extend the Smart TER life and ensure it remains a significant component in successful missions for years to come."
Additional images:
FAV F-16 with triple ejector rack at Puerto Ordaz Airport, Venezuela on May 25th, 2004. [Photo by Iván Peña Nesbit]
USAF F-16B block 10 #80-0632 which is part of the 184th TFG taxiing prior to a training mission. Note the small practice bombs on triple ejector rack in this unusual load. The airframe was transferred to Israel in 1994 as tail #998. [Photo by Mike Kopack]
USAF F-16A block 5 #78-0068 at AMARC still in the markings for the 466th FS. Around the F-16 laying on the ground are some wing pylons and triple ejector racks. Note in the background two C-5's and a lot of the tail removed from one. [Photo by Phillip Kovaric]
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