On February 27, 2025, the U.S. Air Force took a step in rapidly integrating weapon systems by conducting a test at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group’s Detachment 3 mounted a U.S. Navy Harpoon missile on an F-16 Fighting Falcon, demonstrating an approach that enables existing aircraft to be equipped with new operational capabilities without requiring extensive structural modifications. This test highlights a strategic shift in how the U.S. Air Force adapts its fleet to emerging threats.
Traditionally, integrating new weapon systems into an aircraft requires years of technical adjustments, certifications, and hardware modifications. In this case, engineers employed an alternative method using a gateway system, which acts as an interface between the missile and the aircraft. Instead of modifying the aircraft’s onboard systems or altering the missile itself, this technology facilitates seamless communication between the two platforms, allowing the F-16 to operate the Harpoon without physical modifications. By focusing on software updates rather than hardware changes, this approach increases flexibility in integrating different weapons across multiple aircraft types.
The A/U/RGM-84 Harpoon, originally developed for the U.S. Navy and introduced in 1977, is an all-weather, over-the-horizon cruise missile designed for anti-ship operations. Used by 29 countries, it can be launched from ships, submarines, aircraft, or coastal defense batteries. Equipped with active radar guidance, it follows a low-altitude trajectory to avoid detection and employs terminal maneuvers such as sea-skimming or pop-up attacks to increase effectiveness. Over time, the missile has been upgraded, including the Block II version, which features GPS-assisted inertial navigation, enabling land attack capability. The latest iteration, the Harpoon Block II+, enhances guidance, network connectivity, and resistance to electronic countermeasures, improving its ability to operate in electronic warfare environments.