Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon News and Developments

In 2014 there was a contract signed for BAE Fort Worth to modernise the 134 C/D Block 52 with new avionics and radar and a separate contract for 35 older block 30 but after two conversions were done Korea cancelled the contract in a dispute with the US government over what it was charging in FMS for the Raytheon AN/APG-84 radar (an AN/APG-79 from the F-18E/F and Growler G shrunk down to fit the F-16).
In 2016 a new contract was signed with Lockheed Martin to convert the C/D's to the Block 70 standard with the work to be completed by 2025, this is installing a new ethernet bus, centre VDU, mission computer and Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 radar. They plan to retire the older block 30's ~2028 with their KF-21.
 
WatcherZero said:
In 2014 there was a contract signed for BAE Fort Worth to modernise the 134 C/D Block 52 with new avionics and radar and a separate contract for 35 older block 30 but after two conversions were done Korea cancelled the contract in a dispute with the US government over what it was charging in FMS for the Raytheon AN/APG-84 radar (an AN/APG-79 from the F-18E/F and Growler G shrunk down to fit the F-16).
In 2016 a new contract was signed with Lockheed Martin to convert the C/D's to the Block 70 standard with the work to be completed by 2025, this is installing a new ethernet bus, centre VDU, mission computer and Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 radar. They plan to retire the older block 30's ~2028 with their KF-21.
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Thanks.
But i can't find a single delivery newsbite about it all. Even though deliveries must have been ongoing for the last 5 years if not more.
Do you think you or anyone else can help with that?
 
The leadership of the Hellenic Air Force is in talks with US officials and representatives of Lockheed Martin regarding the modernization program of 38 F-16 Block 50 aircraft to the Viper variant.

US officials and company representatives visited Hellenic Air Force headquarters on Monday. The talks are expected to be completed by Friday.

According to Kathimerini, the aim is to review the draft Letter of Acceptance (LOA) sent by the US a few months ago and find a way to keep the cost of the program below $1 billion.

The Greek Air Force had initially estimated the cost of upgrading the 38 fighters to the Viper configuration at around $800 million, while the US LOA valued the program at $1.5 billion.


Reports suggest that the two sides could reach an initial agreement of about $900 million by omitting some of the systems originally requested by the Hellenic Air Force.
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https://www.ekathimerini.com/politi...-martin-over-f-16-modernization-program-cost/
 
USAF testing AGM-84N Block II+ Harpoon models off their F-16D (looking very snazzy in Have Glass V)
The "N" model as of right now is unique to the Navy and carried by Super Hornets.

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Traditional weapons integration can take years, but this test showcased a method to accelerate the process without costly aircraft modifications, giving leaders a decisive edge to rapidly field advanced weaponry, outpace adversaries and enhance operational flexibility across multiple platforms.
The test team achieved integration by developing a gateway system that facilitated communication between the missile and the aircraft without requiring modifications to either platform. The gateway functioned as a translator, enabling the F-16 to recognize the Harpoon and the Harpoon to receive signals from the F-16.
Leveraging the gateway approach, the 53rd TEG team expedited the integration process, significantly reducing the timeline and demonstrating a faster, more efficient method of adding new weapons capabilities to the aircraft.
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https://www.53rdwing.af.mil/News/Ar...4079552/test-integrates-navy-missile-on-f-16/https://theaviationist.com/2025/02/28/usaf-tests-harpoon-f-16/
 
Erieye have also reportedly arrived in Ukraine, making the first time UkAF got access to modern AWACS (but I don´t know where to post a link).
 
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TomcatViP said:
Erieye have also reportedly arrived in Ukraine, making the first time UkAF got access to modern AWACS (but I don´t know where to post a link).
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Aside from Erieye AWACS are there any surplus USN E-2Cs in the Boneyard at the moment?
 
VishnuOsiris said:
Why? Clearly she's no F-35, but she will be effective in the Standoff and (D)Counter-Air role, no? Better than nothing?
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It's basically as good as nothing for the capabilities it offers (even purely on a specifications basis). The bases where these jets are going to be deployed at are set to be among the first to be (absolutely) annihilated in wartime. Even if they try to do what Ukraine has done, they are a small island and China's intelligence and strike capabilities are unmatched, especially in their own backyard, even compared to the combined might of the US military and its allies.


Taiwan has already sacrificed more than enough for the promise of de facto independence, and it keeps doing so every time the US demands yet another thing from them. What has the US provided/promised to provide in return?
 
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The USAF is now adding AI pilots to combat-coded F-16s, from Alex Hollings:


The United States is officially installing artificial intelligence fighter pilots into a half dozen combat-coded F-16s, and the last of these testbed fighters just arrived in Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to get started.
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Watch our previous coverage on this program here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghh-wf5NaQw
• SKYBORG: How the Air Force really bui...

• The Air Force is adding AI PILOTS to ...

• The Air Force is pitting its AI-pilot...
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The first F-16 Block 70s ordered by Taiwan in 2019 have been rolled out by LM, from Defense Updates:


Lockheed Martin unveiled Taiwan's first newly built F-16 Block 70 during a rollout ceremony at its Greenville, South Carolina, facility on March 28, 2025. The aircraft, an F-16D which is a two seater variant, with serial number 6831, is the first of 66 F-16 Block 70s ordered in 2019 as part of an $8 billion deal.
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These new aircraft will complement the 139 F-16s already in service with the Taiwanese Air Force.
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The existing fleet was upgraded from the original F-16 Block 20 Mid-Life Update (MLU) configuration to the F-16V Block 70 standard. The F-16V reached Final Operational Capability in 2021, with the last upgraded aircraft delivered in 2023. According to the Taipei Times, the new jets will be assigned to the 7th Tactical Fighter Wing to bolster Taiwan’s eastern defenses.The publication also reported that during a January 2025 inspection, President William Lai stated that two of the wing’s three tactical groups had been staffed and were awaiting aircraft deliveries.
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In this video, Defense Updates analyzes how F-16 Block 70 provides Taiwan with a means to counter China?
#defenseupdates #usvschina #taiwanvschina
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Chapters:
0:00 TITLE
00:11 INTRODUCTION
01:32 SPONSORSHIP - NordVPN
02:06 THE DEAL
03:17 F-16 BLOCK 70 IS POTENT
06:43 ANALYSIS
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Looks like my country's finally gonna get some F-16s for their Air Force. About time!
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/united-states-oks-sale-f-16-fighter-jets-april-2025/
The possible purchase, as approved by the DSCA, includes 16 F-16 C Block aircraft, four F-16 D Block aircraft, 20 installed engines and 4 spares, radars, missile launches and missiles, and anti-aircraft guns, among others. “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” it added.
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What is the main if any difference to the Scorpion from the JHMCS Helmet Mounted Displays?
 
While JHMCS, which now comes in a more advanced digital JHMCS form, uses a custom carved visor unique to each pilot to display its projected information, Scorpion uses a pane-like monocle system that fits under a visor and in between the eye and night vision goggles. The original JHMCS is not night vision goggle compatible.

Scorpion is also capable of projecting in full color, not just monochrome, which can help with crew interpretation of the vast amount of information that can be displayed through the system. This includes weapons targeting, navigation, sensor, and data-link symbology. Going beyond simpler flight data and weapons information, modern HMDs like Scorpion leverage augmented reality that can project friend-and-foe locations all around the pilot.
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See back here
 
Valiant, Top Aces
It seems as if Ukraine is taking a more hands-on control on their crew training with a direct copycat of DoD approach to operational training. I would not be surprised if that be the first step to in-country crew conversion for a more homogeneous fleet built around a ramp up in F-16 induction.
 

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