F-16 A/B Mid-Life Update Production Tape M1. The pilot’s guide to new capabilities & cockpit enhancements

The Mid-Life Update (MLU) F-16 aircraft represents the culmination of a multinational design and development effort to upgrade the capabilities of existing F-16A/B Block 10 and 15 aircraft of the Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, and Norway Air Forces. The Mid-Life Update initiative has incorporated numerous hardware and software enhancements to the F-16A/B aircraft while retaining its previous capabilities. New hardware and software capabilities include: (1) the Modular Mission Computer (MMC) which expands core memory and throughput capabilities while replacing the functionality of the Expanded Fire Control Computer (XFCC), Stores Management Set (SMS) Central Interface Unit (CIU), and Head-Up Display (HUD) Electronics Unit (EU); (2) the APG-66 (V2) radar which provides increased air-to-air target detection ranges, reduced false alarm rates, and improved ground mapping capabilities; (3) the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile with improved hands-on controls; (4) AGM-119 Penguin anti-shipping missile, (5) the TERMA Electronic Warfare Management System (EWMS) with expanded countermeasures dispensing capabilities and provisions for centralized control/management of jamming pods; (6) the APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) which expands the traditional IFF transponder capabilities to include Mode S and adds an on-board interrogation feature; (7) the Improved Data Modem (IDM) which provides both intraflight air-to-air and air-to-ground datalink capabilities; (8) the Horizontal Situation Display (HSD) coupled with Color Multifunction Displays (CMFDs) and Enhanced Upgraded Programmable Display Generator (EUPDG) provides significant enhancements to pilot situation awareness, (9) a generic reconnaissance pod capability that includes a video line at station 5 as well as improved hands-on control of the sensor suite. Other miscellaneous features include the Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) Inertial Navigation System (INS), color HUD camera, three channel Color Airborne Video Tape Recorder (CAVTR), Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) compatible cockpit, Wide Angle Conventional (WAC) HUD, and a drag chute.