Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve F-16s are going to get a center display unit upgrade. Raytheon announced Monday that it has received an initial $3.1 million contract to start replacing multiple analog flight instrument displays in these F-16s with the large-LCD color displays currently used in active duty F-16s. The new screens will allow pilots to overlay data from onboard and remote sensors on a digital moving map, according to the company. They also will allow for video processing and two-way datalink situational awareness messaging. “The CDU will be a significant advance in providing information F-16 pilots need to conduct their missions,” said Wayne Iurillo, Raytheon’s vice president for customized engineering and depot support. The contract includes options for annual production of up to 120 CDU systems for five years.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
