Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Develops Fix for Grounded F-16Ds
More than 80 of the aircraft have been grounded since cracks were discovered in the canopy sill longerons this summer.
F-16s taxi at Hill Air Force Base, site of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
F-16s taxi at Hill Air Force Base, site of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

The U.S. Air Force expected to begin the repair process this week to return to flight the two-seat F-16Ds it grounded this summer after discovering cracks in canopy sill longerons between the front and rear pilots’ seats. The service inspected 157 of the fighters, which it uses for training, and grounded 83 to address cracking of the longitudinal brace.