Full-Rate Production Of First Units Under Way

The U.S. Air Force has endorsed a Center Display Unit (CDU) built by Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company  as the F-16's primary flight reference (PFR). Following the endorsement late last year, the Air Force awarded Raytheon a contract for full-rate production of the first 100 CDUs.

A PFR is a requirement in all aircraft and must include airspeed, altitude and attitude data, as well as flight path information for the pilot. Besides flight data, Raytheon's CDU gives the pilot the ability to control and display information from both on-board and off-board sources, including ground force information.

"This endorsement means F-16 pilots can now use our CDU as their sole primary flight reference," said Rudy Lewis, vice president of Customized Engineering and Depot Support for RTSC. "The CDU's efficient installation -- which minimizes aircraft integration, airframe and wiring modifications -- demonstrates how we are listening to, and working with, our customers to provide advanced and cost-effective situational awareness products."

(Image provided by the USAF)

FMI: www.raytheon.com