Tuesday, December 18, 2012

40th to test F-16 software

F-16s test software. Courtesy photo
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- For the first time, developmental testing for an F-16 operational flight program (OFP) will occur at the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin. The testing for Block 40 and 50 model F-16s is scheduled to begin in 2014. It will also be the first time developmental testing (DT) and operational testing (OT) of the OFP will be conducted at the same base. An OFP is the software in the F-16 that controls the avionics and allows the jet to interface with external weapons. It is currently in the design-try-out phase here. This phase is primarily to help the software developers. This new software package will be incorporated in all active-duty F-16s and many Reserve aircraft. (Source: Eglin Public Affairs, 12/18/12)