Raytheon has been selected to produce new mission computers for the US Air Force's (USAF) F-16 fighter aircraft fleet.

Based on commercial technology, the new modular mission computer upgrade (MMCU) is anticipated to offer more than two times the current processing power and 40 times the current memory as existing F-16 computers.

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems electronic warfare systems programme manager Josh Cobbs said: "The new mission computer is a game changer for the F-16.

"The brain of the F-16, this mission computer can process more information faster, allowing the pilot to put weapons on targets with greater reliability."

The MMCU combines multi-core processing and cyber security with next-generation high-speed computing and data networks, therefore delivering capabilities to combat emerging threats alongside fifth-generation fighters.

Raytheon said that MMCU serves as the foundation for potential new advanced sensors and capabilities for the USAF F-16, including next-generation weapon systems.

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The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a fixed-wing, single-engine, fourth-generation multi-mission fighter, and the MMCU is fundamental to increasing its combat capabilities, according to the company.

The aircraft can be fitted with air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface missiles.

"The brain of the F-16, this mission computer can process more information faster, allowing the pilot to put weapons on targets with greater reliability."

The USAF currently retains close to 1,200 F-16s in active service.

Besides the US, 25 other countries also have 2, 500 F-16s in operational service.

The company has been providing mission-processing technologies for domestic and international F-16 aircraft for more than 25 years.


Image: A USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford Jr.