After hints that the US can disable Turkish F-16’s by executing hidden segments of software not revealed to Turkish authorities in the critical mission computers of the F-16, the Turkish Air Force has given orders for the removal and replacement of all US made or foreign originated mission computers on it’s F-16 aircraft with the indigenous ASELSAN designed, developed and produced mission computers. It is said that the new mission computers also allow Turkish weapons to be used on the Turkish vipers.
“TuAF F-16 Block 30s to fly with Turkish computers”
http://www.trdefence.com/2010/12/17/turkish-f-16-block-30s-to-fly-with-turkish-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-3036
Turkey will start integrating indigenous flight mission computers on its fleet of Block 30-type F-16 fighting falcons, daily Hurriyet newspaper reported.
The decision came after a key Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) meeting that, for the first time, gave the green light for development of Turkey’s first modern jet trainer and combat aircraft. Turkey’s move to start using its own mission computers on F-16s will greatly increase the country’s self-sufficiency in aerial defence and add to its growing pool of know-how and aerospace technology.
Turkish F-16s foreign-originated mission computers and hidden source codes have long been a matter of controversy, with some claiming that foreign manufacturers held the power to disable Turkish jets by executing hidden segments of software not revealed to Turkish authorities. The decision to start using indigenously-developed Turkish mission computers and flight software will effectively eliminate these worries.
Turkey’s military eletronics giant Aselsan will design and assemble the new mission computers. |