Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Developments

www.armyrecognition.com

Denmark delivers first F-16B training airframe to Argentina for pilot and crew instruction

Denmark delivers first F-16B training airframe to Argentina for pilot and crew instruction
www.armyrecognition.com www.armyrecognition.com

Denmark_delivers_first_F-16B_training_airframe_to_Argentina_for_pilot_and_crew_instruction_925_001-6a10effd.webp
 
It is a ground instructional airframe and not part of the 24 operational aircraft to be delivered next year. It has a bit of history aswell.

F-16.net - The ultimate F-16, F-35 and F-22 reference

Two Argentine C-130s went to pick up a disassembled F-16B MLU Block 10 in Denmark. It is a two-seat variant that will not fly but will used instead by the VI Air Brigade of Tandil to training pilots and ground personnel.
www.f-16.net www.f-16.net
 
USAFE Torrejon AB, Spain 401st TFW/614th TFS "LUCKY DEVILS" F-16C/D Vipers launch out of Doha, Qatar for a 1991 DESERT STORM air to ground strike mission into Iraq, complete with a New Hampshire Air National Guard KC-135E Stratotanker top up prior to their push time.
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View: https://youtu.be/AebebvuF5oQ?si=ov-Z7_wy6SyApy1w

Also present in this footage:
- Spaniards Mirage F-1 and Alphajets
- Close formation medium alt KC-135E refueling
- undelivered asymmetrical ordinance (3x CBU) landing
- full radio chatter
- Chaffs release
 
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Does anyone know what modernization have Korean KF-16 went through recently? I know in mid 2010s there was a BAE contract signed, but I also remember it was very quickly terminated. And since then I can't find any single piece of news pointing to modernization of the block 50 airframes. That's like 130 planes to modernize, a sizable chunk of their air force. It's ten years later now and still no news, which is strange. One would expect something was done, at least domestically by KAI. Yet Google doesn't give anything. Is it really possible that in 2025 Korean Air force is still stuck with largely unmodernized block 50s? (not to mention those few block 30s)
 
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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www.53rdwing.af.mil

Test integrates Navy missile on F-16

Joint weapons integration accelerates advanced capabilities.
www.53rdwing.af.mil
theaviationist.com

U.S. Air Force Tests Harpoon Missile Integration on F-16

The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group completed an operational taxi test with a U.S. Navy AGM-84N Harpoon Block II+ anti-ship missile loaded on a U.S. Air
theaviationist.com theaviationist.com
 
TomcatViP said:
F-16 (and M2K) slowly reshaping the battlefield in Ukraine:

www.yahoo.com

Ukrainian F-16 pilot says Russia's battlefield actions show its troops think NATO jets are higher quality and fear them

"They are afraid to approach us," the pilot said. "After all, there is a living person sitting there, too, who also does not want to die."
www.yahoo.com www.yahoo.com
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Can you blame them for taking precautions though? They haven't met these jets in a real combat environment yet , so this is hardly something shocking enough to use as a propaganda material.

You gotta expect the unexpected...
 
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?
 
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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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
 
FighterJock said:
What is the main if any difference to the Scorpion from the JHMCS Helmet Mounted Displays?
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At this point in time, given JHMCS production started in '02, maintainability and parts availability may be a major issue.
 
ssdunkel said:
Scorpion HMD is newer (designed in 2008), designed using a full color wave-guide display (not a visor projection), can be used with NVG's, lighter weight, more accurate, does not require a custom helmet...
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The latest F-16 variant is also being integrated with the JHMCS II which was launched back in 2012/13. Existing JHMCS users can choose between upgrading to JHMCS II, upgrading existing JHMCS to JHMCS - Digital or the Scoprion HMD which is a more cost effective option to all new helmet like a JHMCS II or something else.

Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II Undergoes Flight Testing Aboard F-16V | Elbit Systems

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - AUGUST 3, 2020 – JHMCS II, the newest member of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System family of products, is being flight tested aboard the Lockheed Martin F-16V aircraft in the United States. This follows the completion of JHMCS II safety qualification testing, including...
www.elbitsystems.com www.elbitsystems.com
 
ssdunkel said:
Scorpion HMD ... can be used with NVG's, ...does not require a custom helmet...
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Being able to be used with NVGs was part of the JHMCS spec, so that's not an advantage for Scorpion. Meanwhile, if you're hanging a couple of pounds of gear off a helmet that has to go through ejection forces, then an individually fitted, integrated design may be precisely what you want, particularly if it can integrate night vision without hanging NVGs off the front of the helmet.
 
snne said:
Can you blame them for taking precautions though? They haven't met these jets in a real combat environment yet , so this is hardly something shocking enough to use as a propaganda material.

You gotta expect the unexpected...
Click to expand...

Given that the combat deployment of the F-16 in Ukraine so far was most notable for it slamming into the ground repeatedly, I somewhat doubt the veracity of the article at hand overall. Especially given what's flying against these old MLUs.
 
isayyo2 said:
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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Forest Green said:
www.twz.com

F-16 Is Getting Massive Anti-Ship Missile Upgrade

F-16s will get stealthy AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles, giving them the ability to attack highly defended ships over great distances.
www.twz.com www.twz.com
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Who would be the potential users of AShMs carried by F-16s?

I suppose Korea and countries in SEA?
 

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