Honestly, I was thinking it was a gopro, as much of these video are made for YouTube. Do you have another picture?
Example 2 and 3 are from a Super Hornet, example 4 is an F-15C.
I always assumed it had something to do with an emergency canopy release or something since it looks like it has a button on top with a wire on the backside that goes somewhere.

Curiosity got the better of me so I looked it up but never came across an answer. Asked it here to find out once and for all.
 

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Example 2 and 3 are from a Super Hornet, example 4 is an F-15C.
I always assumed it had something to do with an emergency canopy release or something since it looks like it has a button on top with a wire on the backside that goes somewhere.

Curiosity got the better of me so I looked it up but never came across an answer. Asked it here to find out once and for all.
They're the sensors for JHMCS.
 
Turkey F-16 got the greenlight for a 25B$ order (40 new built + 79 upgrade packages) :


 
nine hundred fifty-two (952) Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120C-8 or equivalent missiles
four hundred one (401) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles
16 x AN/AAQ-33 Sniper TGP
ninety-six (96) AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM)
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) pods
Triple Missile Launcher Adapters (TMLA); aircraft, avionics, and weapons integration, test support, and equipment; major modernization upgrade kits for F-16 Block 40 and Block 50+ aircraft and Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) modifications

The most important part is without a doubt the addition of SLEP kits for indigenous Özgür-2 modernisation. This means;

275 F-16s in total
-139 F-16Vs (with American/NATO munitions) -136 F-16 Özgür-I/-IIs (with domestic radar, avionics and munitions)
 

Türkiye – F-16 Aircraft Acquisition and Modernization​


WASHINGTON, January 26, 2024 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Türkiye of F-16 Aircraft Acquisition and Modernization and related equipment for an estimated cost of $23.0 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Republic of Türkiye has requested to buy 40 new F-16 aircraft and to modernize 79 existing F-16 aircraft to V-Configuration. The request includes: thirty-two (32) F-16 C Block 70 aircraft; eight (8) F-16 D Block 70 aircraft; forty-eight (48) F110-GE-129D engines (40 installed, 8 spares); one hundred forty-nine (149) Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG) (40 installed, 10 spares, 99 for modernization program (79 installed, 20 spares)); one hundred forty-nine (149) AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radars (SABR) (40 installed, 10 spares, 99 for modernization program (79 installed, 20 spares)); one hundred sixty-nine (169) Modular Mission Computers (MMC) 7000AHC (or available mission computer) (40 installed, 10 spares, 119 for modernization program (79 installed, 40 spares)); one hundred fifty nine (159) Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code capability and Precise Positioning Service (PPS) (40 installed, 8 spares, 111 for modernization program (79 installed, 32 spares)); one hundred sixty-eight (168) Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) or equivalent Electronic Warfare (EW) systems (40 installed, 10 spares, 118 for modernization program (79 installed, 39 spares)); eight hundred fifty-eight (858) LAU-129 guided missile launchers; forty-four (44) M61 Vulcan cannons (40 installed, 4 spares); sixteen (16) AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP); one hundred fifty-one (151) Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS) (40 installed and 4 ground terminals, 8 spares, and 99 for modernization program (79 installed and 4 ground terminals, 16 spares)); nine hundred fifty-two (952) Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120C-8 or equivalent missiles; ninety six (96) AMRAAM guidance sections; eight hundred sixty-four (864) GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs Increment 1 (SDB-1); two (2) GBU-39(T-1)/B SDB-1 guided test vehicles; two (2) GBU-39(T-1)/B SDB-1 practice bombs; ninety-six (96) AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM); ninety-six (96) AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM); ten (10) AARGM Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); eleven (11) AARGM control sections; twelve (12) AARGM guidance sections; four hundred one (401) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles; twelve (12) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs); forty (40) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical guidance units; twelve (12) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder CATM guidance units; twelve (12) MK82 Inert Filled general purpose bombs; eight hundred fifty (850) Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) KMU-556 tail kits for GBU-31; two hundred (200) JDAM KMU-557 tail kits for GBU-31v3; three hundred eighty-four (384) JDAM KMU-559 tail kits for GBU-32; three (3) JDAM KMU-572 tail kits for GBU-38 or Laser JDAM GBU-54; one thousand fifty (1,050) FMU-152 fuzes. Also included are AMRAAM CATMs; AIM-9X Sidewinder training missiles and Active Optical Target Detectors (AOTD); HARM control sections, rocket motors, and warhead spares; FMU-139 Joint Programmable Fuzes; DSU-38 Laser Guidance Sets for GBU-54; missile containers; AN/ARC-238 radios; AN/APX-127 or equivalent Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Combined Interrogator Transponders (CIT) with mode 5; Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS) II or Scorpion Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tracker (HObIT) helmet mounted displays; Infrared Search and Track (IRST) pods; AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Systems (CMDS); KY-58 and KIV-78 cryptographic devices; Simple Key Loaders (SKLs); additional secure communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic equipment; Flight Mission Planning Systems (FMPS); Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receivers (ROVER) 6i/6Sis; Tactical Network ROVER kits, and STINGER Multi Bi-Directional (MBI) antennas; SNIPER pod pylons; impulse cartridges, chaff, flares, and ammunition; bomb components and Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); Rackmount Improved Avionics Intermediate Shop (RIAIS); Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); Triple Missile Launcher Adapters (TMLA); aircraft, avionics, and weapons integration, test support, and equipment; major modernization upgrade kits for F-16 Block 40 and Block 50+ aircraft and Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) modifications; aircraft and engine repair and refurbishment after maintenance; engine and aircraft spare and repair parts, consumables, and accessories and repair and return support; aircraft, engine, ground, and pilot support equipment; Classified/Unclassified Computer Program Identification Number (CPIN) systems; electronic warfare database support; pylons, launcher adaptors, weapon interfaces, bomb and ejection racks, conformal fuel tanks, and travel pods; precision measurement equipment laboratory and calibration support; Classified/Unclassified software and software support; Classified/Unclassified publications, manuals, and technical documentation; maps and mapping data; facilities and construction support; simulators and training devices; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $23.0 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security of the United States by improving the air capabilities and interoperability of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ally that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe.
The proposed sale will allow Türkiye to expand and modernize its fleet of F-16 aircraft as older F-16 aircraft approach the end of their service life. These new and refurbished aircraft will provide Türkiye with a fleet of modernized multi-role combat aircraft to enable it to provide for the defense of its airspace, contribute to NATO missions to preserve regional security and defend NATO Allies, and maintain interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces. Türkiye has F-16 aircraft in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft and services into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Greenville, SC. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Türkiye.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs
 
Any word on Argentina acquiring the type? I know not to long ago the United States ok'd selling them.
 

Some prediction i made on potential of RCS reduction from Have Glass. The big issue was no real description of the material used. Except that (but vague) It's a magnetic absorber and 0.3mm thick. In my estimate, the material covers almost whole surface of the F-16's and the inlet lip. The substitute material is Barium Hexaferrite which also a magnetic absorber.

Treatment.png

There are 2 modeled cases (armed and unarmed) Along with 3 conditions, untreated, treated but with old radome, treated and with new bandpass radome.

ResultsWithGraphs.png

The result can be seen above. the treatment along with bandpass radome allow the lowest RCS reduction to be attained, however addition of external weapons kinda diluted the "stealth" advantage of the airframe. This might work against older fighter types like Su-27SK's or MiG-29 Izd 9.13 with old N001 and N019 also to some extent More modern MiG-29SMT with N010 ZhukM/ME. It will however struggle against more modern types with much more powerful radar.
 
1978: Delivering the first production F-16 aircraft:

1706730482137
 
When will those promised F-16s actually start appearing in Ukrainian airforce bases?

With those additional eight F-16s promised what does that bring the total number to?
 
When will those promised F-16s actually start appearing in Ukrainian airforce bases?

With those additional eight F-16s promised what does that bring the total number to?
Currently the estimate of the arrival of the first operational F-16s is in the spring, so within a few months. These six additional F-16s pledged by the Netherlands are in addition to 18 pledged by them previously, so 24 all in all. I am uncertain of the number pledged by Denmark and Norway and of their delivery schedules. In any case, additional F-16s will be retired by the RNLAF later this year as they are replaced by F-35As, but they have not yet been pledged and if Geert Wilders manages to form a government (despite being a Finn not particularly well versed in the finer details of Dutch politics I cosider that rather unlikely), they will probably not be delivered.
 
if Geert Wilders manages to form a government (despite being a Finn not particularly well versed in the finer details of Dutch politics I cosider that rather unlikely), they will probably not be delivered.

Why wouldn't they be delivered if Geert Wilders forms a government?
 
Wilders is negotiating with three political parties to form a coalition government. Two of those three insist - so far - on sending military aid to Ukraine.
Those two parties also insist on finding money for Wilders' plans before agreeing on them, with an eye on limiting budget deficit to the 3% EU-norm, or indeed below that.
At the moment, Wilders' plans would lead to a ~5% deficit, because raising taxes is anathema to him - negotiations are troublesome.

For now, those F-16s are bound for Ukraine.
 
One of the three parties negotiating with Mr Wilders has just withdrawn from the negotiations to form a majority government. It seems a minority goverment is in the offing now, with ad hoc parliamentary majorities to be found for all issues. The latest elections' results would rule out a decision to cut of all aid to Ukraine.
 
1978: Delivering the first production F-16 aircraft:

1706730482137
I remember going up to Hill AFB as a kid when they had an open house specifically to show off their new plane. It did the shortest takeoff I've ever seen an F-16 do and went straight up into the air. Quite a difference from the resident F-4s and F-105s.
 
OK, that does better fit the existing naming conventions.

That article also refers to the aircraft as an "F-16D Block 70, a new-build equivalent to the upgraded F-16V", whereas what I had been seeing labeled all block 70/72s as F-16Vs.

As the Block 60s for UAE had been designated F-16E/F, it did not seem correct for the Block 70s to revert to the earlier type designation... especially with other Block 70s carrying the -V designation, but apparently they did.

What I saw (https://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article5089.html) said
In September 2017, the US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain for 19 new-build F-16V and upgrade its 20 existing F-16C/D Block 40 to F-16V standard.
In June 2018, Bahrain finalized its order for 16 new-build F-16V.
which contradicts your reference.

So does anyone have something official from LM, the US government, or the Bahrain government (not the media) as to how these are designated?
 
"F-16V" seems to be a Lockheed Martin thing, for example this article from 2016: Meet the F-16V: The Most Technologically Advanced 4th Generation Fighter in the World

If we look at Bahrain, for example, in 2017 we see that they are obtaining the F-16V via FMS: Bahrain to buy 19 new F-16Vs and upgrade 20 current Block 40s

FMS aircraft are usually assigned a US military serial number. These aircraft for Bahrain were assigned FY18 serial numbers as follows:

18-0001/0010 Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70
MSN 1601-1610. FMS for Royal Bahraini Air Force
18-0011/0016 Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 70
MSN 1611/1616. FMS for Royal Bahraini Air Force

(from Joe Baugher's serial number lists)

I'm not sure where to look up serial numbers otherwise, but if that is accurate, then the official US military designation is still F-16C and F-16D for these aircraft.
 
The twin-seat F-16s are fully combat capable (Otherwise they'd be called TF-16s).
This is true of the F-16B and F-16D but I believe some later F-16Ds and newer two-seaters are "missionized" in the sense that the guy in back can perform numerous different roles if required. These would be the models with the dorsal "spine" on the back for carrying additional avionics. On the "normal" two-seaters that rear seat is typically just for an instuctor pilot and has only a rather basic set of controls. When those ones are used in combat I'm sure the back seat would be empty.
 

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