Contributor - UK

David Donald

Following the recent order for 16 F-16V Block 70 fighters for Bahrain, and the announcement last week that Slovakia has selected 14 of the same version to replace its aging MiG-29 fighters, the Lockheed Martin F-16 is underlining its credentials in the fighter marketplace. Although the prototype first flew in January 1974, the type remains a force to be reckoned with in competition with much younger rivals.

 


“We’re seeing a remarkable resurgence in interest in the F-16,” remarked Randy Howard, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 business development executive. “A lot of it has to do with the Block 70.”

 


The current version, also known as the F-16V, brings together a host of recent developments, including conformal fuel tanks, revised cockpit with two 10- by 10-cm (4- by 4-inch) side displays and a 15- by 20-cm (6- by 8-inch) center pedestal display, auto ground collision avoidance system, advanced helmet-mounted cueing sight, Sniper ATP targeting pod, and Link 16 datalink.

 


Most importantly, it is the first F-16 with an AESA “E-scan” radar in the form of the Northrop Grumman APG-83. This radar has greater than 90 percent software commonality and more than 70 percent hardware commonality with the APG-81 radar of the F-35. Indeed, much of the Block 70 technology has been drawn from the F-35 program and can continue to benefit from similar updates in the future. It’s not all a one-way street either: F-16V technology such as the Auto-GCAS is finding its way into the F-35.

 


APG-83 and the F-16V’s new mission computer and high-speed data network provide the aircraft with advanced radar capabilities, such as the ability to track 20 air-to-air targets, with up to six prioritized. The radar can work in interleaved air-to-air and air-to-surface modes, the latter including mapping to 160 nm (296 km). At the same time, the solid-state radar is considerably more reliable than the earlier mechanically scanned radars.

 


Lockheed Martin is offering the F-16V as both new-build machines and as an upgrade to older Block 40/50 aircraft. The upgrade could be applied to earlier Block 30 machines, but the process would be more invasive and might not be cost-effective for high-time aircraft, the company said.

 


Life Extension

 


In terms of structural life, 841 of the U.S. Air Force’s F-16s will go through a service life-extension program that raises their lives from 8,000 to 12,000 hours, sufficient to keep them in service until at least 2045. One test aircraft was put through a simulated life of more than 27,000 hours. New-production aircraft are now being built as 12,000-hour airframes.

 


With production at Fort Worth coming to an end to provide more space for F-35 assembly, future F-16s—﻿beginning with those for Bahrain—﻿will be built in Greenville, South Carolina, where the production line will start receiving components next year. The first aircraft being delivered from the new plant is expected in late 2021/early 2022.

 


Howard reported that there are four F-16V upgrade programs under way, covering more than 400 aircraft. He also envisions a realistic market for more than 400 new aircraft.

 


Of the 4,588 F-16s built to date, nearly 3,000 remain operational in 25 countries, providing good potential for upgrades or follow-on orders. As well as pointing out that the aircraft has flown more than 400,000 combat sorties and has a 75:0 kill-to-loss ratio in air combat, Howard noted that there have been 56 cases of repeat orders throughout the F-16’s history.

 


Among the most prominent new-build opportunities is that for India, where Lockheed Martin has offered to move the production line if selected. The company has teamed with Tata to compete for the Indian requirement. There would be some local modifications required, including the installation of probe/drogue refueling gear.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Plenty of Life Left in the F-16

With its latest AESA radar-equipped F-16, Lockheed Martin has reminded the fighter world that the "Viper" remains a highly competitive fighter.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Rapcon-X is a heavily modified Bombardier Global 6500 business jet

Sierra Nevada’s Rapcon-X ISR Jet Makes First Flight

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Ultra short landing and takeoff performance could support military applications

Electra's Hybrid-Electric STOL Demonstrator Flies in Pentagon Exercise

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

To date, 300 of the large-cabin jet family have been delivered

Gulfstream Notches G600/G500 Delivery Milestone

The turboprop twin is the first of a two-ship order

Textron Aviation Delivers Aeromed King Air 360CHW

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Digital platform to make supply chain processes more transparent and collaborative

Embraer Rolls Out ONEChain To Improve Supply Chain Ops

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

2018 Farnborough Airshow

More In Aircraft

Sierra Nevada’s Rapcon-X ISR Jet Makes First Flight

Rapcon-X is a heavily modified Bombardier Global 6500 business jet

Electra's Hybrid-Electric STOL Demonstrator Flies in Pentagon Exercise

Ultra short landing and takeoff performance could support military applications

Gulfstream Notches G600/G500 Delivery Milestone

To date, 300 of the large-cabin jet family have been delivered

Textron Aviation Delivers Aeromed King Air 360CHW

The turboprop twin is the first of a two-ship order

Embraer Rolls Out ONEChain To Improve Supply Chain Ops

Digital platform to make supply chain processes more transparent and collaborative

Heart Selects New York Site For ES-30 Regional Airliner Flight Testing

Technology demonstrator will be brought across the Atlantic from Sweden in early 2025

First Global 6500 Delivered for U.S. Army HADES Program

Endurance up to 18 hours makes the Bombardier jet an ideal ISR platform

Gulfstream G700 Heads to MEBAA Show with Cert in Hand

Long-range business jet has accumulated 65 city-pair records

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN