The United States Air Force (USAF) has awarded a contract to Elbit Systems of America, valued at up to $89 million, for equipping its F-16 Block 40/42 fleet with new head-up displays (HUD). This system, known as the Wide-Angle Conventional Head-Up Display (WACHUD), is designed to provide pilots with critical information during flights and will replace the Diffractive Optic HUD currently installed on some USAF F-16s.
The contract was issued as a firm Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) agreement to Elbit America, the U.S. subsidiary of Israeli military technology company Elbit Systems. The initial order placed in September is valued at over $57.5 million, while the total ceiling cost of the contract could reach $89 million.
Elbit America will carry out these upgrades at its facility located in Talladega, Alabama, with deliveries scheduled through September 2027. Scott Tumpak, Senior Vice President of Electronic Systems at Elbit America, stated: "The Wide-Angle Conventional Head-Up Display replacements provide modernization but also commonality across the US Air Force’s F-16 fleet. This commonality benefits the pilots, maintainers and supply chain, as the single configuration is easier to manage and maintain across the entire F-16 fleet."