Quantcast

USAF awards $89M contract for new head-up displays for F-16 fleet

US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
USAF awards $89M contract for new head-up displays for F-16 fleet
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

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."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The WACHUD system features an Israeli-developed wide-angle design that improves upon existing narrow HUDs by offering a broader field of information. It integrates with current systems on the F-16 such as radar and targeting systems, helmet-mounted display systems, and night vision goggles. The updated HUD brings F-16 capabilities closer to those found in fifth-generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35.

Since its inception in the 1980s, the Block 40/42 program for the F-16 has focused on enhancing navigation, night operations, and strike precision capabilities among other improvements. The U.S. plans to keep this aircraft model operational until at least the 2040s despite efforts to retire older airframes being delayed by Congress until fiscal year 2025.

In addition to this latest contract with Elbit America, past significant investments include a $6.3 billion upgrade initiative named Post Block Integration Team (PoBIT) announced in 2022 for over 600 Block 40/42 and Block 50/52 jets involving multiple modifications including Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR). Another major investment was a $1 billion Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) around 2000 which involved installing new cockpit displays among other updates.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Recently, Flying Food Group, Inc. held a celebration at its LAV facility to mark Hispanic Heritage Month.

Oct 29, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. recently held an employee appreciation event at its LIH facility, coinciding with Halloween festivities.

Oct 29, 2025

Emirates Airline hosted members of UAE Team Emirates XRG at its Group Headquarters, marking the team's successful season in international cycling.

Oct 28, 2025

Amazon has announced that its KSBD Air Hub in San Bernardino recognized its September High Flyers for their outstanding commitment to the company's 16 Leadership Principles.

Oct 28, 2025

Amazon announced that employees at its KSBD Air Hub in San Bernardino participated in the 2025 Pink on Parade for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Oct 28, 2025

The ShebaMiles loyalty program, operated by Ethiopian Airlines for over 26 years, has more than 5.38 million members and offers four membership tiers: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Oct 28, 2025