Eglin Units Provide Support for Ukrainian F-16s

In a significant stride toward bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities, the 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron (EWS) at Eglin Air Force Base has taken a leading role in enabling advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems for F-16 fighter jets set to be delivered to Ukraine. The initiative follows the announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the transfer of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine, a move aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s military posture against Russian aggression.

The 68th EWS, a key player in the Air Force’s electronic warfare efforts, specializes in enhancing the lethality and survivability of U.S. and allied forces through the development, testing, and delivery of comprehensive electromagnetic warfare support. This expertise was crucial in overcoming the challenge posed by the need to reprogram the F-16’s EW subsystems to counter the evolving threats from Russia.

Ukraine’s reliance on control of the electromagnetic spectrum in its ongoing conflict with Russia has made EW capabilities a priority. Both nations have been engaged in intense EW battles, employing techniques such as jamming and spoofing to gain an advantage. The introduction of the F-16s with enhanced EW capabilities is expected to provide Ukraine with a critical edge in this domain.

The task at hand was not straightforward. The F-16s being transferred to Ukraine are equipped with an EW system not currently in the U.S. inventory, presenting a unique challenge. Moreover, the tight timeline for the delivery of the aircraft added pressure to the mission. However, the 68th EWS saw this as an opportunity to push the boundaries of their capabilities.

“Most reprogramming centers would have said ‘no way’ when approaching this challenge; it’s uncharted policy,” said the 68th EWS chief engineer. “But we knew we were the right team for the job.”

A team of experienced experts and innovative young engineers was quickly assembled to tackle the problem. Their initial goal was to familiarize themselves with the unfamiliar EW system, using data provided by Denmark and Norway. This collaborative effort led to the adaptation of new processes that deviated from standard procedures, but ultimately proved effective.

In an unprecedented move, the 68th EWS dispatched its team members overseas to work directly with partner-nation labs. This hands-on approach allowed them to develop and test the system alongside coalition partners, resulting in the creation of a highly optimized mission data file tailored to Ukraine’s needs.

“This is not our standard operating procedure,” said the 68th EWS director. “The fact that the team was able to figure out the system in two weeks and develop a best-ever mission data file in-country is a testament to the talent and dedication of our squadron and wing.”

The success of this mission was heavily reliant on the close collaboration between the 68th EWS and its international counterparts. By working together, the teams were able to refine the reprogramming processes and achieve a level of integration that would not have been possible otherwise.

With Ukraine now officially onboarded as a foreign military sales (FMS) case for the 68th EWS, the squadron will continue to provide reprogramming support, with real-time combat data driving future improvements. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of the 68th EWS’s portfolio, which already includes support for 30 partner nations.

“When you’re talking about a near-peer conflict, you need all of your coalition partners to operate with the same playbook so you can achieve spectrum dominance,” the 68th EWS director noted. “One F-16 with a reprogrammed pod won’t achieve air dominance alone, but it may give you a pocket of air superiority to accomplish a mission with strategic significance.”

As the 68th EWS continues to play a pivotal role in this high-stakes endeavor, their efforts are poised to enhance the ability of the U.S. and its allies to achieve crucial objectives in the contested electromagnetic spectrum.