Elbit’s WACHUD to replace outdated displays in USAF F-16 Block 40/42 jets

Elbit Systems of America has scored a major win with the U.S. Air Force, securing an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract with a ceiling of $89 million for replacing outdated Head-Up Displays (HUDs) in the service’s F-16 Block 40/42 fleet. The contract, announced on Nov. 21, calls for the installation of Elbit’s Wide-Angle Conventional Head-Up Display (WACHUD) in place of the existing Diffractive Optic HUDs currently in use. The first delivery order, worth over $57.5 million, was placed in September 2024, with work scheduled to be carried out at Elbit America’s Talladega, Alabama facility and systems expected to be delivered by September 2027.

A 138th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon from Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma, flies next to a KC-135R Stratotanker April 25, 2019. The Stratotanker, from the 507th Air Refueling Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, refueled four 138th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcons during flight operations over Kansas. (Courtesy photo by Mike Killian)

HUDs are a critical piece of technology in modern fighter aircraft, providing pilots with a clear display of vital flight and mission-related information directly in their line of sight. This allows for rapid and accurate information processing, enhancing situational awareness and overall mission effectiveness. Elbit’s WACHUD represents a significant upgrade, offering advanced features and capabilities that will undoubtedly benefit USAF F-16 pilots.

Elbit America boasts extensive experience with the F-16, having supported the aircraft’s avionics and HUDs for decades. This deep understanding of the platform, coupled with the expertise of the Talladega workforce, makes Elbit America the ideal partner for this crucial modernisation effort.

The decision to standardise the F-16 fleet with the WACHUD will yield substantial benefits for the USAF. By moving to a single HUD configuration, the service can streamline logistics and maintenance, leading to increased efficiency and reduced costs. The commonality will also simplify training for pilots and maintainers.

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