F-16 automatic test system solution for the aerospace expeditionary force concept

The recent Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept envisions multiple Air Force platforms deploying to hotspots throughout the globe at a moment's notice. Air Force units must be capable of operating mixed force packages at great distances from main operating bases with limited airlift support. Under this scenario, military airlift comes at a premium, and standardization of support equipment across weapon systems becomes vital. Avionics support equipment, traditionally a heavy user of airlift, must be standardized to support the AEF's tenets of light, lean and lethal. Headquarters Air Combat Command has taken the first step to implement this standardization by developing an operational requirements document for an AEF Common Avionics Test System. This system must provide test and repair capability for a wide range of avionics from multiple weapon systems operating in austere conditions. The F-16 has a combat-proven automatic test system currently capable of meeting all its AEF deployment requirements. Based on a series of planned system upgrades scheduled for completion by mid-2002, the F-16 SPO believes its avionics test solution will offer AEF weapon systems an excellent opportunity to capitalize off the F-16's investment and established infrastructure to meet their AEF avionics support deployment requirements with minimal cost technical and schedule risk.