F-16AM
(blk. 24)
1776th
FS det. A 'Freedom Defenders', DC ANG
Operation
Noble Eagle
Oct.
2002
In
the aftermath of the events of 9/11 both the Dept. of Defense and the
newly-created Dept. of Homeland Security were rushing to get new defense
measures installed in and around the country’s major cities. Some argued
that the Army's Avenger airspace defense system would be adequate, while
others pushed for Patriot batteries and adding new Air National Guard
units. The DHS and DoD contracted the Odom group, a leading think-tank
organization for the Pentagon, to advise on this decision. One day while
doing research at the Pentagon's archives, Dr. Leroy Stenzle came across
some of the old material from the ZEL/Mat and ZELL studies done in the
'50s and '60's. He concluded that a similar system could be rigged for the
F-16 and the forthcoming 'Liberty Defender' fighter (Based on the ATG
Javelin mk.30). After much research, Dr. Stenzle concluded that a revived
ZEL concept would not only be viable, but very practical. The joint board
approved the idea for further R&D under Project Zelda. In December
Zelda was approved for Full Scale Development.
14 newly update F-16As were selected to be converted to Blk. 24 spec. for
ZEL operations. Minor modifications were made to the flight control
software, the removal of the Barrier arresting hook to facilitate
installation of the JATO booster, and 4 support attachment arm anchor
points were added to the aft ventral engine housing. 1st modification
started in Jan 2002 with both ground and flight testing of the hardware
soon afterwards. The 1st test of the new ZEL system took place April 12th
at White Sands NM using a remote control F-16A. After a few more unmanned
flights the 1st manned Blk. 24 launch took place in May with Col. Sistrunk
at the controls. After much testing and refinement the Blk. 24 / ZEL
system reached Full Operational Capability in August 2002.
The
1st unit to be activated was the 1776th FS, which was attached to the DC
ANG in July 2002. They gained FOC in Sept. with 6 F-16s deployed in pairs
around the DC area in camouflaged revetments. All Aircraft wear
non-standard Camouflage and full color markings, as well as the ONE emblem
on the Vert. tail instead of the normal 2 letter USAF base code. Normal
armament consists of 2 AIM-120 AMRAAM and 2-4 AIM-9 Sidewinders, plus the
M61 Vulcan cannon. While the 1776th is attached to the ANG, both DHS and
the DC ANG share control over the operational deployment of Project Zelda.
It has been stated that the ZEL mission will pass to DHS when the ATG F-39
Liberty Defender aircraft becomes cleared for ZEL operations.
Bud
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