USAF tests Harpoon missile integration on F-16 aircraft
The test showcased a viable pathway for integrating the Harpoon quickly onto existing platforms without requiring modifications. (Photo: U.S. Air Force / Airman 1st Class Timothy Perish)
The integration of the Harpoon missile on the Lockheed Martin fighter worked to showcase the rapid speed at which a ‘gateway system’ integration can add new capabilities to aircraft.
The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group (TEG) of the US Air Force (USAF) has announced a successful integration and test of a US Navy AGM-84 Harpoon missile onto an F-16 fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on 27 February.
According to the USAF, the team developed a gateway system that allowed for communication between the missile and aircraft without needing modifications to either platform.
By leveraging this approach, the team sped up the integration process, and reportedly demonstrated a faster, more efficient process for adding new weapons capabilities to the F-16 aircraft.
The chief project manager for
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?]()
Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?
While the headlines remain dominated by the use of drones for combat operations in Ukraine and other conflicts, there are emerging use cases where the technology could usefully feed back into areas and missions outside the war zone.
-
![USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC]()
USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC
The Grey Wolf has entered operational service nearly three years later than originally planned, while new sustainment contracts indicate that some UH-1Ns could remain supported until 2031.
-
![Extending mission readiness: where XR adds real value in pilot, crew and maintenance training]()
Extending mission readiness: where XR adds real value in pilot, crew and maintenance training
Extended reality (XR) is becoming increasingly relevant in military aviation training, adding a flexible layer to an integrated ecosystem spanning the pilot, crew, and maintenance domains.
-
![US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms]()
US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms
As the US continues to invest heavily in counter-drone systems, demand for low-cost, mobile and autonomous technologies is on the rise, with Edda designed to align with these emerging requirements.
