BAE Systems Upgrades Link 16 Testing for US Air Force F-16s

BAE Systems has finalized an upgraded Link 16 test capability for the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) terminals installed on US Air Force F-16 aircraft. Announced in May 2026, this integration aims to streamline maintenance processes and accelerate the return of aircraft to service. The new automated testing equipment is now operational on both the Versamodule Extensions for Instrumentation Improved Avionics Intermediate Shop (VXIIAIS) and the Rackmount Improved Avionics Intermediate Shop (R-IAIS). This advancement allows maintenance teams to perform rapid, on-site validation and diagnosis of MIDS JTRS terminals at military bases, reducing reliance on additional parts procurement and improving recovery rates for line-replaceable units. Meg Redlin, director of BAE Systems' advanced mission solutions, highlighted that the enhanced fidelity in testing supports the US Air Force's modernization efforts by increasing aircraft availability and reducing downtime. The MIDS JTRS is a software-defined radio platform providing situational awareness and encrypted tactical data exchange via the NATO-standard Link 16 network. The upgraded test equipment is manufactured at BAE Systems' facilities in California and New Jersey.