“We are upgrading to the foundational capabilities that will make the F-16 a valuable part of the U.S. Paired with initiatives like the South Carolina Electronic Warfare Range (SCEWR) Initiative, which innovatively uses standard training airspace in new, dynamic ways, 20th FW pilots are leveraging a full range of tools to sharpen their combat capabilities. These upgrades enhance the Wild Weasels’ real-world and training capabilities, allowing 20th FW pilots and aircrew to train to the nation’s adversaries’ more advanced threats, which ultimately allows the 20th FW to be more lethal and survivable in combat scenarios. “All the units on Shaw will be more lethal, more combat-ready, and able to perform better against new types of threats we may encounter. Bryan Ellis, 79th FGS specialist expeditor. “These modifications not only enhance the training that aircrew and pilots receive, but also better equip them in an Area of Responsibility environment,” said U.S. The updated F-16 radar systems allow pilots to use Synthetic Aperture Radar mapping to detect and deploy weapons against air-to-air and air-to-ground threats at much longer ranges, keeping the aircraft in the fight as the 20th FW progresses into the next decade of threats.

“Our adversaries haven’t slowed down getting new technology, so it’s critical that we ensure the F-16s stay relevant and stay lethal to be able to compete with ” Matthew “Cash” Croghan, 79th Fighter Squadron chief of weapons. “What this upgrade means for Shaw is that not only just one or two jets in a formation are the most lethal, but the increased situational awareness across the formation is going to be incredible, making us a total lethal force,” said U.S. These modifications give the fleet the same advanced radar equipment that is standard for fifth generation F-22 Raptors and F-35A Lightning II aircraft, ensuring 20th FW aircraft are ready for tomorrow’s missions, today.

In conjunction with SLEP, maintainers assigned to the 55th, 77th and 79th Fighter Generation Squadrons (FGS) worked together over the past year to install the APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar, a multifunction, active electronically scanned array radar, replacing the legacy APG-68 model and providing 22 modification upgrades to the more than 70 F-16s at Shaw. Air Force’s Service Life Extension Program (SLEP).

The summer of 1978 meets the spring of 2023 as 45 years of progress and modernization to the F-16 Fighting Falcon airframe continues in the form of ongoing mission-critical upgrades to the 20th Fighter Wing’s (FW) fleet here in line with the U.S.

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