Project Management of F16 Software Code Update (SCU) Research Proposal

Project Management of F16 Software Code Update (SCU) - Research Proposal Example F-16 has many classified information and has several versions and type of weapons for operational flight program. The whole F-16 system hardware is enabled by the Operational Flight Program which is made up of a series of software modules. Each software module of Operational Flight Program codes the functions of a separate weapon system or operational systems. This study is aimed at analyzing the software capabilities of Operational Flight Program of F-16 aircrafts and its upgrades made from time to time. Introduction F-16 aircraft was designed to strengthen the combat capabilities of Air Force of United States. It was developed originally by the General Dynamics and later developed further by Lockheed Corporation which was then became Lockheed Martin. Fighting Falcon is one of the most significant fighters of the latter part of the 20th century. The development of F-16 began with the concept for an experimental lightweight fighter. It then fostered into an aircraft fighter that oper ated in all types of weather and had capabilities of attacking precisely to any enemy target. The manufacturing of F-16 is done at five different production lines. Over 4,000 F-16 aircraft fighters have been built for the Western World and it has become their largest fighter program. The F-16 aircraft is used in war and its design and development is mostly classified. The software technology used in embedded computer system is the most critical, accurate and zero tolerance code. The automation of warfare management is done with the operation flight program of F-16 aircraft. The Operational Flight Program (OFP) is a computer program written for computer hardware fixed inside the F-16 aircraft. The Operational Flight Program needs to be updated and upgraded as and when new needs for improvements of F-16 aircraft are identified and consequently weapons are improved or changed. Methods F-16 Operational Flight Program The F-16 Operational Flight Program is written in the form of modules. Each module executes and performs the functions of the weapon system. The coding of the functions is done such that each function describes the phases of the mission a weapon system performs. The phases which are included in the mission are â€Å"preflight, takeoff/time to cruise, outbound cruise, SAM (surface to air missile) evasion, descent, penetration, bomb delivery, climb, air-to-air combat, inbound cruise, loiter, and approach and landing.† (Charles P. Satterthwate, 1994) â€Å"Function types include communication (external/internal), IFF (identification friend or foe), navigation, guidance, steering, control, target acquisition/identification, stores management, weapon delivery and threat warning.† (Charles P. Satterthwate, 1994) â€Å"The modules of the F-16 Operational Flight Program include executive; control and display; air-to-air; air-to-ground; navigation; communication; heads up display; vertical situation display; gun, missiles; overload warning and v isual identification.† (Charles P. Satterthwate, 1994) â€Å"A module type, such as controls and displays, might contain multiple modules which are prioritized according to the timing requirements of the functional calls of the OFP. The OFP is required to process real time interrupt driven schedules, which are handled by the executive