F-16 Fighting Falcon News

June 17, 2003 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $40 million contract for development and test of an extended range (ER) version of its Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD).
WCMD-ER can provide the Air Force's 120,000 CBU-87, -89, and 97 dispenser weapons with enhanced range and accuracy, particularly when launched at high altitudes.

The WCMD-ER system adds a wing kit to the GPS version of the WCMD tail kit to obtain a range of 30-40 miles. This contract, for development and test of the system, will lead to an F-16 Required Assets Available (RAA) date in Fiscal Year 2006 and a B-52 RAA date in Fiscal Year 2007. Anticipated production of 7,500 WCMD-ER kits will begin in 2005.

"We are very pleased to be able to provide this capability to the warfighter," said Randy Bigum, vice president of Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "WCMD-ER enhances both the range and accuracy of WCMD-equipped munitions. The increased range provides a standoff capability that is critical in the presence of tomorrow's air defenses. The improved accuracy ensures target destruction while minimizing collateral damage. WCMD-ER follows our successful WCMD that performed so well in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom."

WCMD was deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq on B-52 and F-16 aircraft. The system was recently certified on the F-15E strike aircraft and is nearing certification on the B-1 bomber. Integration on the A-10 Thunderbolt close-support aircraft and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is also planned.