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F-16 rapid integration with FAMM-L
The F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft was rapidly integrated with Family of Affordable Mass Munitions – Lugged (FAMM-L) weapon in March 2026 at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB).
The test series included fit and functionality checks, validation of loading procedures, and ensuring flight compatibility of the FAMM-L and F-16. This effort culminated with the carriage and release of the weapon off the F-16.
“This was a perfect demonstration of test readiness to meet warfighter needs,” said Lt. Col. Brett Tillman, 780th Test Squadron commander, in a US Air Force (USAF) news release. “Integrating the entire test team allowed us to safely test and deliver a critical capability at incredible speed. I am immensely proud of the tremendous work this team accomplished under such a tight deadline.”
The integration of the 96th Test Wing (96th TW), as the lead developmental test agency, 53rd Wing, as the lead operational test agency, and Air Force Life Cycle Management Center program office, was critical to the rapid onboarding and execution of the test series.
“The combined test team is laser focused on accelerating experimentation to deliver capability into the hands of warfighters, faster,” said Lt. Col. Taylor Wilson, 40th Flight Test Squadron commander. “The team was able to rapidly generate and execute sorties to deliver crucial data for evaluating new, innovative warfighter capabilities.”
“The ability of our operations and maintenance teams to execute this test series in such a short time emphasizes their professionalism and dedication towards the mission,” Wilson said.
The test execution navigated experimental configurations and high-risk envelope expansion.
Family of Affordable Mass Munitions
Beehive Industries, an American manufacturer of advanced propulsion systems for uncrewed aerial defense applications, announced on Apr. 9 that it has been awarded a $29.7 million contract from the USAF to complete vehicle integration, flight testing, and qualification of the company’s 200 lbf Frenzy 8 engine—a pivotal step toward operational readiness and scalable production of Beehive’s flagship propulsion product.
The award also includes funding to advance Beehive’s 100 lbf Frenzy 6 engine, beginning with the manufacturing of a First Engine to Test (FETT) asset and options for further testing, vehicle integration, and flight demonstration.
The award, managed through the SOSSEC consortium, supports a Small Expendable Turbine (SET) — FAMM prototyping effort led by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). The SET engine program is a critical component of the USAF’s broader strategy to develop, produce, and qualify low-cost, disposable jet engines for uncrewed aerial systems and standoff systems. FAMM is a FY2026-focused, Pentagon-wide initiative designed to shift from high-cost, low-quantity weapons to a large-scale, cost-effective arsenal. Beehive uses additive manufacturing to produce low-cost jet engines at high speed, and its Frenzy engine is specifically designed for mass-produced munitions and swarm-class drones.
96th Test Wing
The 96th TW, Eglin AFB, Fla., is the test and evaluation center for Air Force air-delivered weapons, navigation and guidance systems, command and control systems, and Air Force Special Operations Command systems. The wing provides expert evaluation and validation of the performance of systems throughout the design, development, acquisition, and sustainment process to ensure the warfighter has technologically superior, reliable, maintainable, sustainable and safe systems.
The unit performs developmental test and evaluation across the complete system life cycle for a wide variety of customers including: Air Force Systems Program Offices, the Air Force Research Laboratory, logistics and product centers; major commands; other DoD services and US government agencies (Department of Transportation, NASA, etc.); foreign military sales; and private industry.
The 96th TW executes developmental test and evaluation enabling the warfighter to put weapons on target in all battlespace media while also providing support for all other Team Eglin missions as the installation host wing. Eglin deploys combat ready forces while delivering full spectrum support to the DoD’s second largest test and training complex.
Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Blake Wiles and Tech. Sgt. Thomas M. Barley / U.S. Air Force
