The Air Force is gearing up to conduct testing of an operational flight program software upgrade for F-16 Block 40 and Block 50 fighters at Eglin AFB, Fla., beginning in 2014, announced testing officials. This evaluation will mark the first time that developmental testing and operational testing for an F-16 OFP upgrade will occur at the same installation—giving DT and OT pilots the unique chance for face-to-face discussions on test issues, according to an Eglin release. The OFP is the software that controls the F-16’s avionics and allows the fighter to interface with its weapons. This upgrade effort is also taking on special significance since it represents the first time that the Air Force has developed the F-16 software, as opposed to a contractor. Lockheed Martin developed the previous OFP updates, but this time members of the 309th Software Maintenance Group at Hill AFB, Utah, did the work. In preparation for the integrated DT/OT testing, the combined test team has been performing “design-try-out” activities, according to the Dec. 18 release. (Eglin report by Samuel King Jr.)
The U.K. and the U.S. will continue to enjoy access to the ports, airfield, and workshops at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for at least another century, under a deal inked between the U.K. and Mauritius May 22.