Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Developments

The Air Force’s F-16 System Program Office within the Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate has awarded a $900 million F-16 Continental United States (CONUS) Depot contract to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, with twelve dock spaces in their Lockheed Martin Greenville Operations facility located in Greenville, S.C., will provide depot level maintenance and modernization support, establishing the first ever U.S. based F-16 industry depot to support the government-owned depot facilities. There are currently two overseas F-16 contract depots, one in Europe and the other in the Pacific.
Click to expand...

www.aflcmc.af.mil

Air Force awards multi-million dollar contract for F-16 depot

The Air Force’s F-16 System Program Office within the Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate has awarded a $900 million F-16 Continental United States (CONUS) Depot contract to Lockheed Martin
www.aflcmc.af.mil
 
AN/AWW-14(V) said:
...

A 40-year-old idea to improve strafing accuracy by transferring flight control of a manned fighter to the autopilot to aim the gun is being revived as the U.S. Air Force looks internally for innovations ...
Click to expand...

That reminds me of a feature that SAAB Gripen, apparently, has:
"The internally mounted 27mm Mauser high-energy gun can operate in an automatic radar-guided aiming mode."
https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/gripen/
 

previous thread,

The new f-16 fly by wire system is different, but the early system on the f-15 worked great

(IFFC) integrated fire and flight control, tested long time ago on f-15 (Low Observable mentioned it)

worked really good on the f-15, and at high closing speeds that a pilot could not possibly manually aim.

Why not used years ago?

Gripen already using it operationally.
 
TomcatViP said:
Canadian aggressor company Top ACE gets approval for suspected Israeli F-16A fleet:
www.skiesmag.com

Top Aces secures approval for F-16 adversary air fleet - Skies Mag

Top Aces has received approval to acquire and import up to 29 F-16 aircraft. Israeli media on Dec. 2 claimed the seller is the Israeli Defense Ministry.
www.skiesmag.com www.skiesmag.com
Click to expand...
Update from Janes:

Top Aces begins receiving surplus Israeli F-16s

Top Aces Corporation has begun receiving surplus Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft from Israel for contractor-based ‘Red Air’ training against the US...
www.janes.com www.janes.com
 
Nice one. Those aircraft once definitely retired will be money makers in the hands of US museums, and who knows, private individuals. Great catch.
 
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Are they the oldest Israeli F-16s ? if so, some of them probably bombed Osirak back in June 1981. Plus the Bekaa the next year. So yes, when they will retire, everybody will want one...
 
So civilians can buy f-16s? that must be like owning a formula one that can fly!
 
AN/AWW-14(V) said:
EO6gz5vWAAEGcGd.png


This is an abbreviated version of the Aviation Week & Space Technology article “USAF Death Claw Shows New Way To Speed Development”, which describes the full details of issues faced with the F-16’s capabilities, how Death Claw aims to address these issues, and industry insights into the system.

A 40-year-old idea to improve strafing accuracy by transferring flight control of a manned fighter to the autopilot to aim the gun is being revived as the U.S. Air Force looks internally for innovations that can be demonstrated and delivered quickly. An operational version of the Digitally Enhanced Aiming Through Control Law (Death Claw) system is in development less than two years after the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School conceived and performed an eight-month demonstration.

In effect, Death Claw has two functions. As a new automated flight mode, it solves a practical problem for pilots of F-16s and potentially other fly-by-wire fighters. The system also highlights a path to introducing aircraft upgrades faster by involving the test community up front. Adding an “auto-gunnery mode” to the flight control law, and allow the autopilot control to point the aircraft when the gun is engaged. Bill Gray, chief test pilot of the test pilot school, launched a demonstration program in late 2017 to prove it could work.

The test pilot school owns the F-16 Variable stability Inflight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA), an aircraft specially modified to allow inflight changes to the flying qualities. “I realized it would be a relatively simple modification to adjust the control of that airplane to actually test this to do the concept exploration,” he says.

As much as the Air Force pushes to accelerate development, the question still remains how much schedule compression is possible during the test-and-evaluation phase.

In the case of Death Claw, the test pilot school used a live demonstration to prove a basic autopilot capability. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works is now working on an improved operational version of the new autopilot gunnery mode, but the Air Force collected the data it needed to make a decision with a rudimentary system created within four months in 2017. The test community also now has experience with the technology, which could help focus the follow-on test schedule.

Death Claw: A New Way To Speed Development? | Aviation Week Network

A 40-year-old idea to improve strafing accuracy by transferring flight control of a manned fighter to the autopilot to aim the gun is being revived as the U.S. Air Force looks internally for innovations that can be demonstrated and delivered quickly.
aviationweek.com aviationweek.com
Click to expand...
www.airforcetimes.com

Air Force likely to expand F-16 air space in New Mexico

The Air Force said it would prefer to extend current operations over Eddy, Otero and Chaves counties for F-16 pilots taking off from Holloman Air Force Base.
www.airforcetimes.com www.airforcetimes.com
 
F-16 belonging to the USAFE in Europe will still be maintained and upgraded in Belgium by Sabca:
www.scramble.nl

USAFE based F-16s will remain in Europe for another ten years

USAFE based F-16s will remain in Europe for another ten years Although the oldest based US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) F-16s are near and over thirty years of age, Belgian SABCA w...
www.scramble.nl www.scramble.nl
 
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upstatebusinessjournal.com

Lockheed Martin's Greenville facility receives first F-16

The Lockheed Martin facility in Greenville received the company's first F-16 airplane from the U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin announced on March 15. It's part of a 10-year, $900 million contract for the company to provide support and depot-overflow services for the aircraft.
upstatebusinessjournal.com upstatebusinessjournal.com
 
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin for development of a new advanced electronic warfare system to protect the international F-16 multirole fighter aircraft against emerging radar and electronic threats.

L3Harris designed Viper Shield to provide U.S. and global coalition partners with cutting-edge countermeasures against sophisticated, ever-changing threats. The baseline version is integrated into the aircraft fuselage, saving space for additional capability such as a fuel pod that could be attached externally to increase mission range.

www.l3harris.com

L3Harris Technologies to Provide Next-Generation Electronic Warfare System for F-16 Multirole Fighter

L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin for development of a new advanced electronic warfare system to protect the international F-16 multirole fighter aircraft against emerging radar and electronic threats.
www.l3harris.com www.l3harris.com
 
The Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) has contracted Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) to maintain a number of Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force) F-16 Fighting Falcons that have been taken out of active service and make them ready for commercial re-sale.

The contract initially applies for two F-16s, with an option to overhaul up to three additional aircraft. The work on the F-16s will take place at KAMS’ facilities at Kjeller, near Oslo, and if the option is exercised the last three aircraft are expected to be ready by the end of 2021. The fighters will be returned to operating status and then maintained so that they are ready for service again. KAMS has 40 years of experience in maintaining, repairing and upgrading Norway’s F-16 fleet.
Click to expand...
www.scramble.nl

Norway might sell F-16s

Norway might sell F-16s The Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) has contracted Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) to maintain a number of Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Roy...
www.scramble.nl www.scramble.nl
 
More than a Lightning but a Rainbow:

1620202097954.png

defence-blog.com

F-16’s pilots receives unprecedented level of situational awareness

Defense giant Northrop Grumman Corp. said in a statement that its LITENING advanced targeting pod has been fielded for the first time with full-color, digital video capability with the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, giving pilots of the service’s F-16s an unprecedented level of...
defence-blog.com defence-blog.com
 
[USAF] on Monday announced a contract for the production of 128 Block 70/72 jets, the latest and most advanced version of the venerable fourth-generation fighter, on behalf of Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Morocco.
[...]
The service will simultaneously work to upgrade more than 400 aging F-16s for four partner nations to the new "F-16V" configuration, which includes the APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array, or AESA, radars.
Click to expand...

www.military.com

$14 Billion Contract Marks Start of New Push to Build US F-16 Fighters for Partner Nations

The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $14 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to build new F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets for five countries through 2026.
www.military.com www.military.com
 
AN/AWW-14(V) said:
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin for development of a new advanced electronic warfare system to protect the international F-16 multirole fighter aircraft against emerging radar and electronic threats.

L3Harris designed Viper Shield to provide U.S. and global coalition partners with cutting-edge countermeasures against sophisticated, ever-changing threats. The baseline version is integrated into the aircraft fuselage, saving space for additional capability such as a fuel pod that could be attached externally to increase mission range.

www.l3harris.com

L3Harris Technologies to Provide Next-Generation Electronic Warfare System for F-16 Multirole Fighter

L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin for development of a new advanced electronic warfare system to protect the international F-16 multirole fighter aircraft against emerging radar and electronic threats.
www.l3harris.com www.l3harris.com
Click to expand...
So Viper Shield compete with AN/ALQ-211 and AN/ALQ-213 in the export Block 70/72 market soon enough. I'm curious if the US gov. will, just like DEWS (for export) and EPAWSS (use in USAF alongside clearance to key allies like Japan), only clear the export of Viper Shield to allied nations?

Also, if I'm right, Viper Shield is the second Fighting Falcon/Viper EW Suite to get an actual nickname after the Falcon Edge for the Block 60. newer 211 was named AIDEWS, which I'm not sure if I'll call it a nickname. Then DEWS and EPAWSS ain't no nicknames either...
 
EPAWSS is not for export as much as we can guess. It's a different EW suites integrated with all US systems, including F-35s.
But I agree that key allies like Japan might get the opportunity since they are already cleared for the F-35.
 
TomcatViP said:
EPAWSS is not for export as much as we can guess. It's a different EW suites integrated with all US systems, including F-35s.
But I agree that key allies like Japan might get the opportunity since they are already cleared for the F-35
Click to expand...
They already have. It was recently revealed that newly inclusion of EPAWSS in JSI upgrade program has been problematic and has become one of the reasons for major increase in cost of the whole program. Now they are reconsidering JSI program althogether because of it.
 
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2021

The Government of the Philippines has requested to buy ten (10) F-16C Block 70/72 aircraft; two (2) F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft; fifteen (15) F100-PW-229EEP engines or F110-GE-129D engines; fifteen (15) Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG); fifteen (15) AN/APG-83 Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radars (SABR); fifteen (15) Modular Mission Computers 7000AH; fifteen (15) LN-260 Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) with SAASM and PPS; twenty-four (24) Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120C-7/C-8 or equivalent; one (1) AIM-120 Guidance Section; forty-eight (48) LAU-129 missile launchers; three (3) KMU-572 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) tail kits; six (6) Mk-82 500lb bombs; six (6) Mk-82 500lb Inert training bombs; six (6) FMU-152 or FMU-139 fuzes; six (6) Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) or Litening ATP; fifteen (15) Multifunctional Information Display System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS) aircraft terminals, and; fifteen (15) M61A1 Vulcan Anti-Aircraft 20mm guns. Also included are AN/ARC-238 radios; Advanced Identification Friend or Foe with Combined Interrogator Transponder and Mode 5; Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems II (JHMCS II) or Scorpion Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tacker (HObIT); Integrated Electronic Warfare Suite; Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program (ECISAP) support; AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Systems (CMDS); Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS) or equivalent; AIM-120 CATM; LAU-118 launchers with Advanced Launcher Interface Computer (ALIC); LAU-117 missile launchers; DSU-38 Precision Laser Guided Sensor for LJDAM; Harpoon interface adapter kits; PGU-28 High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) ammunition; PGU-27 ammunition training rounds (non HEI); Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); ARD-446 impulse cartridges; ARD-863 impulse cartridges; BBU-36/B impulse cartridges; BBU-35/B impulse cartridges; MK-124 smoke flares; MJU-7/B Flare Cartridge L463; BRU‐61 Bomb Racks; BRU‐57 bomb racks; MAU‐12 bomb racks and TER‐9A triple ejection racks; weapons support, test equipment, and missile containers; chaff and flare; Night Vision Devices (NVD) and support equipment and spares; secure communications; cryptographic equipment; aircraft and personnel support and test equipment; integration and test; weapons, ammunition, pylons, launcher adaptors, weapons interfaces, fuel tanks, and attached hardware; travel pods, precision measurement equipment laboratory, calibration, and simulators; spare and repair parts, repair and return services; maps, publications, and technical documentation; studies and surveys; classified / unclassified software and software support; personnel training and training equipment; facilities and facility management, design and/or construction services; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $2.43 billion.

The Philippines – F-16 Block 70/72 Aircraft | Defense Security Cooperation Agency

www.dsca.mil www.dsca.mil

The Government of the Philippines has requested to buy twenty-four (24) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles; twenty-four (24) AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs); six (6) Tactical Guidance Units; and ten (10) Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) Guidance Units. Also included are containers, support and test equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, software delivery and support, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance and other related support; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $42.4 million.

The Philippines – AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles | Defense Security Cooperation Agency

www.dsca.mil www.dsca.mil

The Government of the Philippines has requested to buy twelve (12) AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II air launched missiles; and two (2) ATM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II Exercise missiles. Also included are containers; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $120 million.

The Philippines – AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Air Launched Block II Missiles | Defense Security Cooperation Agency

www.dsca.mil www.dsca.mil
 
MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the F-16 fighter jets that were being offered by the United States were “expensive”, prompting the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to look at other options.

“The US wants us to buy their F-16s. It’s very expensive so the PAF is evaluating others,” he told INQUIRER.net on Friday (June 25).

Only 1 other option is the Saab JAS-39 Gripen from Sweden.
globalnation.inquirer.net

Lorenzana: Pricey F-16s prompted look at fighter jet options

MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the F-16 fighter jets that were being offered by the United States were “expensive”, prompting the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to look
globalnation.inquirer.net globalnation.inquirer.net
 
TomcatViP said:
Draken to get 12 (26 more as an option) ex-Dutch F-16s (soon to be retired airframe) :
theaviationist.com

Dutch Government Agrees To Sell 12 F-16s To Draken International For Use In Adversary Role In The U.S.

Draken International is about to expand its fleet of fighter jets already used for Combat Air Force/Contracted Air Support (CAF/CAS) program in the U.S
theaviationist.com theaviationist.com
Click to expand...
I was surprised to realized how much aicraft Draken operates. Their fleet is larger than many air forces!
and despite that fleet, they have 0 Drakens!
 
I've a question about the F-16s radars and pitot tube

the regular F-16s As through Cs generally have a short pitot tube at the end of the radome

the UAE b.60 F-16s, don't have them. I assume its because of the AESA.

does the V have them? or the AESA equipped USAF F-16s?
the problem with google is htat many media agencies incorrectly use random F-16 stock image, which I think are of an older model

even the official LockMart website
www.lockheedmartin.com

Meet the F-16V: The Most Technologically Advanced 4th Generation Fighter in the World

The F-16V: A 4th Generation multi-role fighter aircraft. Enhanced for international security, it remains at the forefront of modern military capabilities.
www.lockheedmartin.com www.lockheedmartin.com
the top pic has one without a pitot tube
while the next pic has one with a pitot tube

does the relocation of the pitot tube away from the tip of the radome matter for AESA radars?
 
Wichita State University’s National Institute of Aviation Research, or NIAR, will create the digital twin for a projected cost of $27 million. The service intends to award a $19 million contract for the first phase of the effort by September, an Air Force Materiel Command spokesman said in response to questions from Defense News.

“Our goal is to create a full-scale 3D model of the aircraft, with the exception of the engine,” said 1st Lt. Connor Crandall, the program manager within the F-16 program office, which will oversee the digital twin effort. “The data will be used to help address future parts obsolescence and mitigate supply chain risks because we won’t have to rely on legacy manufacturing sources and processes. We’ll have the 3D models and designs that we can send to the manufacturers we choose.”
Click to expand...

www.airforcetimes.com

How two F-16s from the US Air Force’s ‘boneyard’ will find a second life as digital models

From a collection of dismantled F-16s parts, the Air Force hopes to build a "digital twin" of the jet.
www.airforcetimes.com www.airforcetimes.com
 
www.19fortyfive.com

The Smaller, Older—But Busier—U.S. Air Force

“Divest to invest” is a slogan the Joint Chiefs use when touting their approach to managing declining defense budgets that don’t keep up with inflation. While the bumper sticker term is new, the tactic is not. In its 2022 budget request, the U.S. Air Force continued its unproven bet to...
www.19fortyfive.com www.19fortyfive.com
 
“Resuming the production of F-16 wings is a continuation of a decades-long cooperation of manufacturing aerostructures for Lockheed Martin customers. The F-16 assembly line once again joins IAI's assembly center of excellence for the production of fighter aircraft wings. The center also produces F-35 wings along with T-38 wings for the American defense establishment.
Click to expand...

www.jpost.com

Israel Aerospace Industries reopens F-16 wing production line

This production makes use of an assembly line first established in the 1980s, which will make the wings and ship them to the assembly line in Greenville, South Carolina.
www.jpost.com www.jpost.com
 

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