F-16 Fighting Falcon
IOC: 1979
Total Production: 4,475
F-16D Block 50
IOC: 1991
Unitary Cost: USD$34 million
Also Known As
F-16 Peace Puma
F-16D Fighting Falcon
F-16DJ
Origin
United States of America
Contractor/s
Lockheed Martin
Family Members
F-16A Fighting Falcon
F-16B Fighting Falcon
F-16C Block 32
F-16C Block 40
F-16C Block 42
F-16C Block 50
F-16C Block 52
F-16C Fighting Falcon
F-16D Block 32
F-16D Block 40
F-16D Block 42
F-16D Block 52
F-16D Fighting Falcon
F-16E Desert Falcon
F-16F Desert Falcon
F-16I Soufa
Air-to-Air Missiles:
AIM-120B AMRAAM
AIM-9M-9 Sidewinder
AIM-9X Sidewinder
Guided Missiles:
AGM-154A JSOW
AGM-154B JSOW
AGM-154C JSOW
AGM-158A JASSM
AGM-65G Maverick
AGM-65H Maverick
AGM-65K Maverick
AGM-88D HARM
Bombs:
GBU-10 Paveway II
GBU-12 Paveway II
GBU-16 Paveway II
GBU-24 Paveway III
GBU-27 Paveway III
GBU-31 JDAM
GBU-32 JDAM
GBU-35 JDAM
GBU-38 JDAM
Power plant:
F110-GE-129
Sensors & Communications:
AN/ALR-69
AN/APG-68
AN/ASQ-213 HTS
DB-110
LITENING AT
RACR
Sniper XR
TARS SAR
Guns & Missile Launchers:
M61A1
Protection Systems:
AN/ALE-50
AN/ALQ-211 SIRFC
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Description:
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a lightweight, compact fighter aircraft designed to perform a wide range of military mission profiles. More than 4,000 F-16s have been or will be produced for 24 nations worldwide. The first F-16A achieved initial operational capability in 1979. As of 2004, more than 11 million flight hours have been logged by F16s from 20 air forces worldwide. The United States Air Force remains the world's largest operator for the type with more than 1,200 units in service of all models. USAF's Block 50/52 cumulative mishap rate was 2.3 losses/mishaps per 100,000 flight hours in FY2004.
In air-to-air engagements the F-16 is highly maneuverable and in the air-to-surface role the aircraft has demonstrated the capability to accommodate any guided and unguided weapon. It carries internally a 20mm M61A1 gun for close-in air-to-air engagements. In addition, the F-16C/D is able to launch the AIM-9 Sidewinder and medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. To deliver precision guided munitions the Falcon can accommodate the LANTIRN targeting/navigation pod system, as well as the LITENING and others. The targeting and navigation pods have provided day and night, all-weather strike capability to the F-16 all along its service life.
The F-16C/D multi-role fighter can fly deep inside enemy territory, deliver precision guided munitions in non-visual conditions and defend itself against enemy aircraft even in day and night, adverse weather. This performance was demonstrated for the first time during the Gulf War in 1991. F-16C/Ds played a vital role during air campaigns over the former Yugoslavia (1999), Afghanistan (2001), and recently Iraq (2003).
The two-seat Block 50 F-16D, also known as F-16DJ, is a Block 40 follow-on with more powerful engine models and new weapon options. The US Air Force has integrated the HTS pod in some F-16DJs for suppression of enemy air defenses using the HARM missile. The Block 50 F-16D was deployed in 1991.
The US Air Force Block 50 F-16D will receive the advanced Sniper XR targeting/navigation pod replacing older systems currently in the US inventory, as well as software updates for integration of smart munitions such as AGM-154, JDAM bombs, and AGM-158. The US Air Force expects the F-16DJ to remain in service until 2025.
Beginning Summer 2004, US Air Force and five European Participating Air Forces (EPAFs) - Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal - operating the F-16 aircraft received the a new software packages called M3+ by the US Air Force and the corresponding EPAF version designated M3. The most notable new capabilities added to F-16s thru the M3/M3+ software packages were Link 16 data link and the helmet mounted cueing system (HMCS). USAF F-16 capabilities under M3+ encompassed AGM-158 long-range attack missile and Sniper XR targeting pod, while European F-16s gained the capability to deliver JDAM bombs.
More than 200 USAF Block 50 F-16C/Ds modified thru the Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) were scheduled to receive the M3+ software package at the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Utah. Approximately 400 USAF Block 40 F-16C/Ds were scheduled to follow the same upgrade beginning in 2006. By the way, about 350 European F-16A/Bs will receive hardware and M3 software upgrades at depot facilities in each participating country. In addition to the M3/M3+ update initiated in March 2000, the F-16 software updates roadmap the M4/M4+ to be released in 2007 and the M5/M5+ to be released in 2009.
F-16 Block 50 Common Configuration program focuses on five major components: a new mission computer for increased processor power; color displays improving pilot-aircraft communication; an air-to-air interrogator to allow communication of the F-16 with other aircraft that appear on its radar; internet-like system to enhance communication with coalition aircraft; and helmet-mounted display to better visualize information and to allow the pilot lock on a given target by looking at it. The scope of the program is to modify 650 US Air Force and National Guard F-16s through 2010 with a total estimated cost in excess of $2 billion.
Falcon STAR, F-16 Structure Augmentation Roadmap, program will see US Air Force F-16 fleet receiving parts kits to strengthen their structure. This measure will enable the F-16 aircraft to attain its projected 8,000-hours of service life through 2025 for the US Air Force, when the entire fleet should be dismantled. Falcon STAR program is valued at $1 billion. The parts kits involved in this program number 79,000. Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is where modification work is taking place. Starting in 2006, F-16s for European countries will undergo Falcon STAR modification. All in all, more than 2,000 F-16s belonging to the United States, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Israel, Greece, Singapore, Thailand and Bahrain will be modified through 2014.
Lockheed-Martin delivered the last F-16 aircraft produced for the US Air Force at Lockheed-Martin Aero Plant in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 18, 2005. Since 1978 the US Air Force received 2,231 F-16s of which 1,300 were in the USAF inventory as of 2005. The last F-16 aircraft is scheduled for retirement in 2025.
In February 2002, Chile signed an agreement with the US government on the purchase of 10 advanced Block 50 F-16C/D (6 single-seat and 4 twin-seat) aircraft which translated into Peace Puma foreign military sales program. The agreement included the F110-GE-129 engine. The first aircraft was completed in early April 2005 with the first flight expected summer 2005. The first two F-16 Peace Puma aircraft were delivered to the Chilean Air Force January 24, 2006. Peace Puma program was valued at $547 million including aircraft and a weapons package consisting of AIM-9, AMRAAM and JDAM.
In May 2002, the Sultanate of Oman signed an agreement with Lockheed-Martin for 12 Advanced Block 50+ F-16C/D aircraft to be delivered beginning in 2005 through 2006. Under Peace A'sama A'safiya (Clear Skies) Foreign Military Sales program eight single seater F-16Cs and four tow-seat F-16Ds powered by the General Electric F110-GE-129 engine will be delivered to the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO).
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 2
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 20 mm
Dimensions: Height 4.9 m, Length 15 m, Wingspan 10.0 m
Weights: Max Weight 17,010 kg (37,500 lb), Min Weight 6,800 kg (14,991 lb), Payload 5,400 kg (11,905 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 29,000 lb (13,154 kg)
Performance: Ceiling 15,250 m (50,033 ft), Max Range 1,400 km (756 nm), Top Speed 698 mps (Mach 2.10)
Other: Number of Engines 1
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Chile / 4 
Greece
Oman / 4 
Turkey
United States of America