U.S. Air Force to brief industry on new F-16 mission computer at October industry day

# What the event is and who's running it Sept. 18 announcing a two‑day industry day for the Next‑Generation Mission Computer program. The sessions will be held Oct. 20–21 at Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The event is intended to brief companies on replacing the onboard mission computer used on F‑16 Block 40, 42, 50 and 52 aircraft.

# Why the Air Force is pursuing a new mission computer A fighter's mission computer links radar, sensors, weapons and cockpit displays and processes data into information the pilot can act on. The F‑16 computers were designed decades ago and have limited processing power and memory by modern standards. A newer mission computer would provide additional processing headroom so the Air Force can add updated systems—radars, electronic warfare pods, precision weapons and similar upgrades—without redesigning the entire airframe.

# What the industry day will cover Sessions will take place at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center on base. Planned elements include:

• A welcome briefing and hardware and software overviews.
• A large group question and answer period on day one.
• 25‑minute one‑on‑one meetings both days between company representatives and a government panel that includes the program manager, contracting officers and technical leads.

Companies may register for up to 24 one‑on‑one meeting slots. The notice includes a scheduling link for booking individual slots.

# Registration, attendance limits and submission rules The notice sets specific administrative limits:

• Registration closes Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. Eastern time.
• Total attendance is capped at 80 people.
• Each company may send up to two representatives.
• Registration requires company name, CAGE code and attendee information.
• The Air Force will not reimburse travel costs or expenses tied to preparing materials for the event.
• Companies can submit up to three questions in advance for the panel discussion using an attached template.

# Where the program stands contractually The industry day follows an earlier sources‑sought notice the Air Force issued under a related solicitation number to gauge capable companies. The notice makes clear the event does not commit the government to awarding a contract. At the time of the posting the Air Force had not issued a request for proposals.

# What the notice leaves unanswered The Air Force did not disclose several major program details in the notice: no program budget or contract value, no count of how many F‑16s would receive the upgrade, and no timeline for when a follow‑on solicitation might be released. The notice also did not name which specific systems or weapons the new mission computer must support.

# Practical implications for companies If your company intends to participate, plan to register by Oct. 14, limit attendees to two people, and use the scheduling link to reserve one‑on‑one slots early. Prepare hardware and software materials that fit a briefing format and up to 24 short meetings. Factor in that travel and preparation costs are not reimbursed, and submit up to three written questions in advance using the provided template.

# Bottom line The Air Force is starting a formal industry engagement process aimed at replacing the F‑16 mission computer on Block 40/42/50/52 jets. The industry day will provide detail and face‑time with program leadership, but core program specifics—budget, scope and schedule—remain undisclosed at this stage.