First, let’s clarify the designation. F-16V “Viper” (.pdf) is a modernization program for older F-16A/B/C/D. For example, Greece will upgrade 83 F-16C/D Block 52+ to F-16V standard. The Greek Air Force took delivery of the first two F-16V fighter jets last year. The aircraft upgrade is provided by the domestic manufacturer HAI (Hellenic Aerospace Industries).
Naopak F-16 Block 70 (s motorem General Electric F110) nebo F-16 Block 72 (Pratt & Whitney F100) (.pdf) are newly manufactured machines. It will be a new standardized version of the F-16 intended for all new customers (see below). Just the first newly produced two-seat version of the F-16 Block 70 made its maiden flight for the Bahrain Air Force a few days ago.
The F-16V and F-16 Block 70/72 are interchanged because the F-16V is an upgrade (especially electronics and avionics) to the Block 70/72 level. The focus of both versions is in particular installation of advanced radar APG-83 with active electronic scanning AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) from Northrop Grumman. This is a top-of-the-line radar that brings the radar capabilities of the F-16 to the level of the F-22 and F-35. APG-83 among others they will also get the National Guard’s F-16C/D Block 30/32 serving in the US air defense system.
First flight of the F-16 Block 70
Both versions will also get a new Viper Shield electronic warfare system, more powerful on-board computers, a modernized cockpit with larger color displays (including the ability to zoom and change the order of displayed information), a new large central CPD (Center Pedestal Display), the ability to use most modern weapons, the option carry a targeting/reconnaissance container with IRST technology (InfRared Search and Track), improved data connections, accurate and durable navigation (Embedded GPS/INS), anti-collision system Auto GCAS (Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System) and a new own-foreign AN/APX-126 Advanced IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) transponder. A new helmet with a JHCMS II (Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System II) display is ready for the pilots.
The design life of the new Block 70/72 is 12,000 hours (50% more). Newly produced F-16s can thus remain in service until 2060. In addition, F-16 Block 70/72 will receive an improved engine and optional conformal additional tanks.
To make life easier, Lockheed signed a $62 billion framework contract with the Pentagon in 2020 to produce an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity of standardized F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft. All machines of this framework contract are intended for export within FMS (Foreign Military Sales).
JHMCS II
Until now, creating F-16 contracts and configurations for each customer has been very time- and cost-intensive (for example, a specific F-16 Block 60 for the United Arab Emirates). Custom assembly of components for a specific customer slows down production greatly. Now any potential buyer will be able to order a serial fighter “off the shelf” for a clearly defined fixed price including specific packaging.
If the customer intends to equip their F-16 with non-standard features, such as a different display or their own home system, this is possible, but each of these features will be subject to a separate contract and extra payment.
Several countries are waiting for the new F-16 Block 70/72 – Slovakia, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Taiwan, Morocco, and Jordan have committed orders for 128 F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft for $14 billion. In addition, Jordan intends to purchase another 12 machines and Bulgaria eight. In the near future, the number of F-16s on binding orders may rise to 148. Greenville will be able to produce all of these aircraft by the end of 2026 – the factory intends to produce four new F-16s per month.
However, interest in the F-16 is not abating. In 2021, Turkey, denied by the Americans from acquiring the F-35A Lightning II, requested 40 new F-16 Block 70/72 and “F-16V” upgrade kits for 80 Turkish F-16C/Ds. In addition to buying new Block 72 F-16s, Morocco intends to upgrade 23 F-16s to F-16V standard. South Korea also expects to upgrade 134 F-16s to the F-16V standard.
F-16 production in Greenville; larger photo / Lockheed Martin
The furthest along in the deployment of the F-16V is Taiwan – this “frontline” country in the power struggle with China has already taken delivery of 100 F-16Vs out of 141 ordered. The rest are due to be delivered this year. However, Taiwan lost one F-16V in an accident a year ago.
In the case of Greece, Turkey, Taiwan and South Korea, the strategy is the same – Lockheed Martin will supply the F-16V modernization kits, including the new APG-83 radar, and the domestic industries of the mentioned countries will carry out the installation in their F-16s.
Back to the first flight of the F-16 Block 70 for the Bahrain Air Force – the flight lasted 50 minutes and the pilot performed various airworthiness, engine, flight control and fuel system checks, as well as testing the basic controls of the aircraft. Bahrain will receive the first F-16 Block 70 in the first half of 2024. The last of the 16 ordered will be delivered in 2025.
“The aircraft will remain at the Lockheed facility under the direct supervision of Lockheed personnel, with limited non-flying training activities with Bahrain permitted under a contract between the US Air Force and Lockheed,” a US Air Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense. “When a group of aircraft is ready (usually four), US Air Force pilots will transport them across the sea to the Bahraini operational site.”
The F-16Vs are the backbone of the Taiwanese Air Force. They are busy. They are constantly chasing away Chinese planes from Taiwanese airspace.
Major General Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the head of the Bahraini Air Force said that “the proliferation of unmanned suicide weapons and the use of hybrid warfare through cyber-attacks that have affected governments, economies, and health institutions in some countries, as well as the emergence of hypersonic weapon technology capable of evading current air defense systems, have all become clear threats to international security and stability , especially if these weapons end up in the hands of terrorist groups through some countries.”
According to Al Khalifa, the fleet of F-16 Block 70 aircraft will assist the Bahraini Air Force in its tasks, including the fight against terrorism and securing the airspace against possible attacks. The new aircraft will also serve as a deterrent against rivals in the region.
F-16 aircraft still have a very long service ahead of them. Last year the US Air Force announced an extensive modernization program for 608 F-16C/D aircraft worth $6.3 billion. The modernization will allow the aircraft to remain in service until the late 1940s. The program, called the Post Block Integration Team (PoBIT), includes improvements to the Block 40/42 and Block 50/52 machines produced between 1988 and 2005.
Since the start of F-16A production in the 1970s, more than 4,550 fighters of this type have been delivered to customers. Lockheed management sees the potential to reach 5,000 units. Outside the US, the F-16 can be expected to remain in service until the 1970s, a century after the first variant began production.
Source: EurasianTimes, Breaking Defense, Lockheed Martin, Conflicts
