The F-16 is re-configuring and resurrecting, Short Take-Offs, and more
The F-16 is re-configuring and resurrecting, Short Take-Offs, and more
Lockheed Martin rolled out the first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft from its new production facility in Greenville, South Carolina. Lockheed Martin is tasked for producing sixteen Block 70/72 aircraft which will be delivered to the Bahrain Air Force. The Block 70/72 is the most advanced F-16 till date and is equipped with the APG-83 AESA Radar, which is also seen on the F-22 and F-35 aircraft fleets. The radar will be integrated with an active and passive internal electronic warfare suite (Viper Shield), along with a Digital Radar Warning Receiver. The aircraft has a modern data link, targeting pod and weapons, Infrared Search and Track (IRST), and an automatic ground collision avoidance system. Lockheed Martin claims the service life of the aircraft will be 12,000 hours, which is almost twice in service life compared to previous variants of the F-16. Lockheed Martin has revamped the F-16 into a formidable 4.5 generation single engine fighter. The aircraft which has been the second-most purchased fighter aircraft of all time (trailing the Mig-21 in sales by 7,000) is back in the market and is looking to compete against the 4.5 generation fighters.
Analysis
There is little doubt that the F-16 has made a formidable comeback into the 21st century competition. Fondly known as the ‘Viper’, it was the preferred aircraft for America and its allies throughout the 1980’s and 90’s with a proven combat record. In the 2000s the introduction of 4.5 generation and stealth fighters reduced the demand for the F-16, yet it continued to receive orders from countries that were cash strapped yet wanted a modern air force. The current global economic situation is in doldrums yet conflicts are on the rise and nations are sharpening their air power. Currently, Lockheed Martin is tasked to manufacture and deliver sixteen F-16 Block 70 aircraft and has an additional order of 128 aircraft from Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan, US Air Force and an undisclosed country. Jordan has also signed the purchase of eight aircraft which will increase the total order to 136. The Block 70/72 are expected to be in flying service till 2060, another forty years.
Why would Lockheed Martin revamp the Viper and increase its years till 2060? Here are a few reasons that I could decipher. The US Air Force has assured Congress that will operate at least 600 F-16s throughout the 2030s, therefore it will be keen to upgrade all its F-16s to the Block 70/72. This will bring down the operational costs for the US Air Force as it will have the more cost-effective F-16 in use and wouldn’t have to rely on F-15s and F-35s for air dominance/swing-role missions. For any aircraft to have a secure and stable production line, domestic orders in large numbers are vital. Along with the US Air Force maintaining its faith in the F-16, the Block 70/72 becomes a trusted pitch to America’s allies that are looking to modernise their air fleets and are not interested in purchasing the F-35. This is already visible with Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan, Jordan, and perhaps even Indonesia re-investing their faith in the upgraded 4.5 generation F-16. What does this mean for Turkey, which has been denied the sale of F-35s due their procurement of the Russian S-400? Though the sale of the F-16 Block 70/72 is possible to Turkey, it is highly unlikely that this would happen. Turkey has previously vowed to not buy America aircraft if it has to operate them with restrictions in place. This is why Turkey is on a reform path of indigenisation and is fast tracking its stealth fighter, the TF-X’s production. It is also unlikely that the F-16 Block 70/72 will be offered to Pakistan since the aircraft is a contender in India’s MRFA program of 114 aircraft, and that is a deal that Lockheed Martin would like to secure in collaboration with TATA, even if the chances are slim. However, Pakistan will be looking at Jordan to sell the Block 70/72 a few years down the line, a deal which the two countries have done in the past.
The Block 70/72 will enable the American Air Force to maintain its strength in numbers against a growing PLAAF and a bullish Russian Air Force. The USAF aims to operate with a “4+1” module and the F-16 Block 70/72 will be the trusted backup warming the benches. Lockheed Martin has promised to deliver all the 128+8 aircraft by 2026, which making it one of the fastest production lines in the world, something that all its competitors will keeping an eye on, as global competition for a single engine fighter aircraft heats up again with the re-entry of the F-16 Viper.
Short Take-Offs
Headlines from the world of aviation.
Here’s the first look at Turkey’s Stealth aircraft, the TF-X, which is scheduled to be in-service by 2030. The Turkish Aerospace Industries released pictures and videos of the aircraft in the assembly line.
The TF-X on final assembly line. The aircraft is schedule to leave the hangar in March 2023. Image Credits- Turkish Aerospace Industries Myanmar grounds its fleet of JF-17 Thunder which it recently purchased from Pakistan due to technical problems. The fleet has reported malfunctions in the Weapon Mission Management Computer, and pilots have reported airframe vulnerability in the wingtips when experiencing strong gravitational forces.
A US Air Force T-38 training aircraft made an emergency belly landing at the Columbus Air Base, Mississippi when the landing gear of the aircraft malfunctioned. This is the second incident of the squadron within weeks. The pilot is safe and in a stable condition.
Malaysia’s fighter aircraft deal which picked the South Korean FA-50 as the winner is currently under investigation by an anti-corruption body. The deal has been put on hold.
The Indian Air Force has submitted a proposal worth over Rs 1,400 crore ($1.7B) to the government for purchasing the Rudram next-generation anti-radiation missiles (NGARM).
Still of the Week
B-1B Lancer performs a roll over Edwards AFB. Image Credits- Reddit
F-16 has been kept alive by LM in a remarkable manner. It is a cost effective and contemporary aircraft for many nations with small air forces. USAF is also looking at numbers against China. As PLAAF and PLAN can field large numbers of 4.5 Gen aircraft with long range and versatile wpn mix, just F-22 ( limited) , F-35s, F-15s and F-18s would not suffice. So, F-16s upgraded ones are still relevant in a high tech/ med/ low mix. Also , trg cost per hour on a single engine fighter, is a point for consideration by many countries/ air forces. LCA is a good option for such countries.