Currently, the program of record is for 300 post block aircraft to receive the Service Life Extension Program upgrade. ACC has requested in the FY21 Program Objective Memorandum funding of an additional 150 slots. This modernization initiative ensures the Air National Guards F-16 fleet receives the necessary critical structural modifications that increases the life span of the aircraft up to 4,800 hours. Without this upgrade the post block F-16s will begin to reach end of service life prior to replacement aircraft being available. It will also cause a reduction across the Air National Guard's F-16 fleet reducing each units overall readiness levels. The USAF will be below its desired fighter fleet through the 2020s and that SLEP will directly support mitigation of that risk.

The System Program Office has currently prioritized aircraft induction based off an equivalent flight hour time-out calculation instead of the desired end state of the F-16 fleet. This could result in less combat coded F-16s across both Air Combat Command and the Air National Guard that would reduce readiness. The F-16 System Program Office should re-prioritize the Service Life Extension Program induction schedule to that balances training aircraft and combat coded assets to meet long-term F-16 requirements.

This directly impacts South Carolina, Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.