F-16 Fighting Falcon News

November 26, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The USAF has contracted Elbit to supply F-16 Block 40/42 Wide-Angle Conventional Head-Up Display (WACHUD) replacements. This is a major step in the ongoing modernization of the USAF’s legacy fighter jets, ensuring they remain mission-capable for years to come.
Elbit Systems of America, a subsidiary of Israeli defence company Elbit Systems, has secured an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract from the United States Air Force with a ceiling up to $89 million. The first delivery order under the contract was received in September 2024 and amounted to more than $57.5 million. The work will be performed in Talladega, Ala., with the delivery of systems through September 2027.

The Wide-Angle Conventional Head-Up Display replacements provide modernization, but also commonality across the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 fleet. This benefits the pilots, maintainers and supply chain, as the single configuration is easier to manage and maintain across the entire F-16 fleet.

The WACHUD system will replace the Diffractive Optic Head-Up Displays currently in use with part of the USAF F-16 fleet.

Mounted atop the aircraft’s instrument panel, the head-up display projects critical flight and mission information directly into the pilot’s line of sight. This eliminates the need to glance down at instruments, allowing pilots to process information more quickly and maintain focus on their surroundings—an essential capability in dynamic combat environments.

By introducing a modernized WACHUD system, the USAF also achieves greater standardization across its F-16 fleet. This commonality benefits pilots, maintenance crews, and logistics operations by simplifying training, repairs, and supply chain management. Standardization reduces costs and downtime, ensuring higher operational readiness rates for the aircraft.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon remains a cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force’s combat aircraft fleet. Although initially introduced in the 1970s, the F-16 has undergone numerous upgrades to keep pace with evolving threats and technological advancements. The introduction of the WACHUD system reflects the USAF’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to extend the operational life and effectiveness of the platform.