The "smart weapon" capacity of the Lockheed Martin F-16 has been doubled with the certification of the new BRU-57 multiple weapon rack.

The BRU-57 has two stations, each with MIL-STD-1760 interfaces for smart weapons so flight and targeting data can be transferred to the weapon immediately prior to release. The F-16 now will be able to carry four, instead of two, 1,000-pound class smart weapons.

"Doubling the payload of smart weapons should equate to doubling the expected targets destroyed per sortie," said John L. Bean, vice president of F-16 programs. "We expect the F-16 will continue to set the pace in integration of the latest advanced weapons."

The U.S. Air Force recently certified use of the Lockheed Martin CBU- 103/104/105/107 Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser series using the BRU-57 on its fleet of Block 40/42/50/52 F-16 aircraft. Certification of the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) is expected to be completed late this year. The rack is also compatible with 500-pound and 1,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs). All these weapons are integrated with only a software change to the F-16.

The BRU-57 is a vertical ejection rack using the latest technology. Compared to the previously used TER-3 triple ejector rack, it has advantages of interfacing with smart weapons, higher reliability and maintainability, and greater safety with lower potential for collision of weapons during release.

The F-16 will be the first aircraft to use the BRU-57. The BRU-57 contains two BRU-46 ejector units already used in the U.S. Air Force inventory.

The BRU-57 is currently in production for the U.S. Air Force and is manufactured by EDO Corporation's Marine and Aircraft Systems Division in N. Amityville, NY.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The F-16 is the choice of 24 countries. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered worldwide from assembly lines in five countries. The F-16 program recently marked 25 years of continuous production deliveries and has forged relationships leading to unprecedented international cooperation. Hundreds more aircraft are on order, and production is expected to continue beyond 2010. Major upgrades for all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2. The company produces major components for the F-2 fighter, and is a co-developer of the C-27J tactical transport and T-50 advanced jet trainer.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company