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U.S. Air Force Pauses F-16 Ejection Seat Competition for 90-Day Review
The U.S. Air Force paused its reopened competition for new F-16 ejection seats on June 5. Officials are conducting a 90-day review of requirements and alternatives after integration delays with Collins Aerospace's ACES 5 seat.
Jul 21, 7:29 AM·1m read1 source
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The U.S. Air Force suspended a competition for new ejection seats on its F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets on June 5. The pause lasts 90 days while the service conducts a comprehensive assessment of operational requirements and acquisition alternatives, an Air Force spokesperson said.
The suspension follows the service's August 2024 decision to review the Next Generation Ejection Seat program after delays integrating Collins Aerospace's ACES 5 seat. Collins had won the program as a sole-source contract in 2019. The Air Force later announced it would retain Collins for new seats on the F-15 while competing the F-16 portion.
Martin-Baker received formal notice of the suspension in June, according to Steve Roberts, who leads business development for the company. The British firm is offering its US18E seat, which it states is already qualified for foreign exports of the F-16. The ejection seat market for Western aircraft is a virtual duopoly between Collins and Martin-Baker.
The Air Force will decide acquisition and modernization strategies for the F-22 and B-1 after reaching a final decision on the F-16 ejection seat strategy, the spokesperson said. Roberts noted that a competition for B-1 seats now appears off the table.
A Collins spokesperson said the ACES 5 seat was designed and built in the United States alongside combat pilots and meets Air Force technical and safety requirements.
The company added that it remains committed to working with the customer on its timeline. Collins ACES 5 is separately slated for the T-7 Red Hawk trainer and has been selected to replace seats on the B-2 Spirit bomber, with the first installation completed in November 2024.
