Just a few weeks ago, it was the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. It is true, as many readers will know, that this milestone was fortuitous and the result of a technical failure.[1]. Despite curiosities like this, during these five decades a device born with the aim of being a light and agile day fighter, with simple electronics and cheap to operate, has evolved to become a multi-mission fighter-bomber with the capacity to operate twenty-four hours a day. day and in any weather condition, equipped with increasingly advanced avionics and a wide range of weapons. A device to which we dedicate this article, in which we do an extensive review of the way in which the F-16 Fighting Falcon family has evolved, ending with the latest variants that have been developed of this magnificent combat aircraft.
Table of Contents
- The origins: the light fighter mafia
- A juicy piece of the cake
- A first attempt, many difficulties and, finally, a great success: the Taiwanese case
- A failure and a success: the modernization of Falcon in South Korea
- The F-16 Fighting Falcon of a city-state: the case of Singapore.
- From the Far East to Europe: the Greek fleet
- Two other countries join the group: Morocco and Jordan
The origins: the mafia of the light fighter
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is born from the LWF proposal[2], whose origin is found in the late 60s and has its reason for being in the cost that Western fighter-bombers that served on the front line were already acquiring, such as the F-4 Phantom, the F-111 Aardvark or the future fighter USAF air superiority, the F-15 Eagle. This, together with the experiences acquired in Vietnam, motivated a group of intellectuals linked to the defense industry and the military to recommend the development of a light and simple device that would serve as a second sword to the most cutting-edge devices within the Armed Forces. In addition, it had to be able to be sold to those allied countries that had lesser economic capabilities.
After a series of vicissitudes, this group became known as the “Fighter Mafia.”[3], and largely managed to meet its objectives. Thus, just 5 years later - specifically on August 17, 1978 - the Falcon officially entered operational service with the United States Air Force. As we have mentioned, in its origins, the product of the LWF project was intended to be a cheap system, economical to operate, simple to maintain, extremely agile in close combat within visual range.[4] and equipped for this with light weapons, mainly a cannon and short-range air-to-air missiles, basically limited to the Aim-9 Sidewinder family. Only secondarily would it have some ground attack capability, mainly with unguided weapons.
In order not to deviate from the issue, we summarize the matter by pointing out that, half a century later, the figures that the program has reached are staggering, being unknown in the West since the time of the aforementioned Phantom. To date, more than 4.600 examples of the different variants of the F-16 Fighting Falcon have been produced, of which more than 3.100 units remain in service operating with 25 different users.[5], which makes it the model with the largest number of devices in active service worldwide. It is even more striking that, despite the fifty years that have passed since that first flight, the manufacturing company continues to maintain orders for at least another 130 devices, the manufacturing line remains at full capacity and even additional customers continue to join the family, both new devices - for example Bulgaria - and second-hand models such as Argentina, which on March 26 confirmed the acquisition of 24 devices removed from service in Denmark[6]. What's more, it is expected that Ukraine will soon join this select group of countries.
It should also be mentioned that, ignoring the general outlines of the design, little remains of the original idea. Today, the latest models of F-16 They have become heavier, with a more powerful engine, a greater amount of fuel transported and new and more advanced electronics. All of the above, together with new, more sophisticated weapons, have turned a simple light fighter into an advanced all-weather, multi-mission fighter-bomber, since there is practically no task that cannot be carried out by a Falcon, from combat BVR[7] with medium-range missiles, reconnaissance, going through tasks SEADMore[8] or anti-ship.
A juicy piece of cake
Given the volume of devices we are talking about, there is no doubt that, due to the obsolescence of certain equipment, several industrial conglomerates have realized the existence of an extensive and therefore lucrative market to update a good number of F- 16.
In relation to this, and today, the main deficiency that can be attributed to the F-16 is given by its traditional, mechanically operated radar. Despite having been modernized on several occasions, from the original and simple Westinghouse (now part of the NorthropGrumman conglomerate) AN/APG-66 to the latest multimode models AN/APG-68V(8) and V(9), its main rivals they begin to offer AESA radars[9]. It is true that there is a Falcon model that has had an active radar since its conception. We are talking about the AN/APG-80 that equips the F-16E/F Block 60 of the United Arab Emirates, known unofficially as Desert Falcon, a device that was developed specifically for that nation, at the end of the 90s, entering operational service. starting in 2003. This variant has never been exported since the 3.000 million dollars that its development entailed - including in these costs the very conception of the radar, also by the NorthropGrumman company - were entirely borne by the Arab country. The latter, as is logical and legitimate, imposed a clause for export to other nations, seeking to recover part of the money invested in the event of the acquisition of this model, or a similar one.
To understand the virtues of an active radar compared to a mechanical one, we have recently published an article in which we explain its differences compared to the equipment used until now and above all, its more than important superiority over traditional radars, so we will not elaborate on it here. The topic can be summarized by pointing out the advantages of a radar of this type compared to conventional ones: simplicity of use and maintenance and therefore lower operating cost, greater range, tracking speed, resolution and discovery capacity, better discretion of use as a result. of a minor LPI[10], superior resistance to interference, abilities to carry out electronic attacks[11], possibility of air-air and air-surface scanning almost simultaneously[12], etc. On the other hand, they require a greater electrical power supply and those that do not have a mobile antenna have a smaller field of discovery, which will force the fighter to carry out maneuvers that allow it to expand the spectrum to be recognized.
A first attempt, many difficulties and, finally, a great success: the Taiwanese case
The sale of weapons to this eastern country has always been a tricky issue, due to the particular geopolitical situation in which it finds itself, which is well known. Despite this, in November 1992, after many negotiations and facing threats from communist China, the US government approved the sale of 120 single-seat and 16 two-seat F-30s within the so-called Peace Fenghuang.[13], for an amount close to 6.000 million dollars. In order to reduce tensions with Beijing, the Falcon developed specifically for Taiwan were a kind of “Frankenstein's monster”, since they were devices built with the fuselage of the Block 15OCU, to which the wings of the F were placed. -16C/D Block 30/32, the air intake of the Block 42, the F100-PW-220 engine of the Block 32, derived from the Block 52 and the AN/APG-66V(2)A radar with the avionics of the F-16A/B ADF Block 15[14] but with the MLU[15] which NATO aircraft enjoyed. For this reason they were designated as Block 20. The first examples began to be delivered in 1997, mainly replacing the veteran Lockheed F-104G and TF-104G Starfighter.
The Taiwanese government, despite everything, began to feel technically inferior to China. For this reason, in May 2006, it began negotiating with the Obama Administration for the acquisition of 66 new F-16C/D Block 50/52 to complement the 150 Block 20 previously acquired.[16]. Although the feelings were quite favorable, pressure from the Chinese government finally thwarted a sale that was valued at around $3.000 billion. In return, in September 2011, the US proposed a modernization program for the RoCAF Falcons.[17] that would bring them to a standard similar to the desired Block 50/52. However, with the passage of time the program acquired more ambitious overtones, as little by little the preliminary studies incorporated increasingly advanced avionics, to the point that they ended up surpassing, by a wide margin, the technology available for the Block. 50/52 that were in production at that time, finally resembling the Block 60 of the UAE.
After arduous negotiations, the operation ended up being valued at around 5.300 billion dollars, and would include both the modernization of the cell and the electronic equipment, notably the installation of a new active matrix radar, with several models existing at that time. development. Within this package, new advanced munitions were also included, both for air-to-air combat, for example the Aim-9X Sidewinder[18], as weapons against surface targets, highlighting the advanced GBU-31 and GBU-38 JDAM[19] or next-generation laser-guided bombs[20].
Faced with such an ambitious program, the aeronautical giant could not help but bring out its “Hollywood” side and, in order to generate greater interest in the project, took the opportunity to use a new name, which was outside the usual sequence. In 2012, during the Singapore Air Show, Lockheed presented the F-16V project, which referred to the unofficial but widely used nickname given to the F-16 by both pilots and aeronautics fans. : Viper. This program offered both the modernization of older aircraft and the possibility of acquiring new F-16s fresh from the factory, which would be called Block 70/72, a fact that we will talk about later.
Returning to the topic at hand, the new Taiwanese variant would base all its advanced capabilities around a new radar design, the NorthropGrumman AN/APG-83 SABR[21]. This equipment would also end up being selected by the USAF, both for a good part of its fleet of Fighting Falcons, which we will discuss later in this article, and for the Rockwell B-1B Lancer bombers. In order to accelerate its development, the design team decided to use all the experience acquired with the AN/APG-77, that equips the Lockheed F-22A Raptor, and with the AN/APG-81, which in turn operates on the three variants of the F-35 Lightning II. Without a doubt it was quite a letter of introduction.
From its conception, the radar was designed with modularity in mind, with the aim of avoiding profound changes to the devices that could be candidates for possible modernization. In fact, it has been tested on a USMC F/A-18C Hornet without excessive complications. In the case of the F-16, there are no structural changes, nor is new wiring or greater electrical power needed, let alone expanding heat dissipation, since the unit incorporates its own liquid cooling system. It is practically a plug-and-play set[22].
Despite not involving major physical changes, the new radar offers performance that is far above what conventional antennas offered, as it allows for greater power use, both for the transmission of the radar beams and for the processing of the signals received. Likewise, it offers greater resistance to enemy disturbances (NDE and ECCM[23]). Also supports a SAR mode of use[24] which provides greater precision, resolution and range. All these features increase the ability to discover targets in less time.
Another advantage of active radars is the NCTR mode of use[25], which allows you to identify and categorize the different targets based on the radar signature of the observed item, comparing the signals received by the antenna with the specific shape of an airplane or even counting the number of blades of a jet engine, with which either The shape of an aircraft or the engine that propels it is defined, thus being able to identify the target and classify it as an ally or enemy.
On July 13, 2012, the Fenghuang Rising program was announced[26], signing the definitive contract, for an amount significantly lower than that published by the DSCA. In total it was around 3.800 billion dollars, and included the AESA radar, new equipment such as a modular mission computer[27], avionics with COTS equipment[28], the ALQ-213(V) electronic warfare system, the radar warning receiver[29] AN/ALR-56M, an IFF system[30] APX-126, the JHMCS II helmet visor[31], completely redesigned co*ckpit and adapted to a new night vision system, with two advanced high-resolution full-color presentation screens and a new layout of the central data presentation column or a new HUD[32] with larger size. In addition, it incorporated the Link 16 data exchange system, new communications equipment, advanced global and inertial positioning system, etc. Subsequently, after the accident of an F-16A during an exercise in 2018, it was decided to incorporate an Auto-GCAS system to the entire fleet.[33] which allowed the device to avoid collisions with the ground in case of detecting pilot failure (or suffering temporary unconsciousness).
To all these technical improvements were added structural changes, replacing parts of the cell that had suffered corrosion due to the weather conditions typical of operations from an island. The internal wiring was also renewed, the anti-collision lights were replaced with ones of LED brighter and the structural base of the drift as well as other parts of the cell was reinforced, in order to extend the useful life, from 8.000 to 12.000 hours.
In another order of things, an improved variant of the engine was adopted - Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229, more powerful and less thirsty - and, as a result of this fact, the landing gear was also changed for a more robust one capable of absorb greater operational weights, a fact that would be essential given that the contract included the possibility of acquiring and using new advanced munitions that were heavier than those available to date, such as the AGM-154 JSOW long-range gliding bombs, the anti-radiation AGM-88 Harm or cruise AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER. Of course, other existing equipment that was still capable of providing interesting capabilities was also modernized, such as the AN/ALQ-184 electronic warfare pods. In addition, to guide the advanced weapons, the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper pod, developed by Lockheed Martin, was incorporated.
On the other hand, it is not clear if Taiwan has finally acquired the advanced submunition dispensers CBU-105 Sensor Fused Weapons with Wind-Corrected Munition Dispensers, since although they were present in the DSCA document, we have not been able to verify if they have reached seek said weapon.
To finish this review, we must mention that one of the latest “toys” acquired for the F-16V fleet is the MS-110UTC LOROP reconnaissance pod.[34], from the Aerospace Systems company. This is derived from the simpler DB-110, adding multispectral recognition capacity and being capable of offering high-resolution images at a distance of more than 80 miles, in any weather condition and also at night, which allows them to scrutinize a good part of the Chinese mainland coast without leaving Taiwanese airspace.
An additional aspect that is not usually mentioned is the authorization, by the US Government, to use Have Glass II paint, which has certain radar-absorbing properties, helping to reduce the electromagnetic signature of the Falcon.
In another vein, the agreement between the two countries also included the construction, on the island itself, of facilities adapted to carry out modernization tasks. As it is logical to think, given its previous experience, said work would be carried out by the aeronautical conglomerate AIDC.[35], at the Shalu factory, and for this purpose it built a new hangar capable of accommodating up to 32 F-16s simultaneously. Each cell should complete 37 modernization phases, each lasting around 7 days. Summarizing the action, the program had to begin by making structural modifications, then the new avionics would be incorporated and its correct operation would be checked. Next, the propellant would be assembled, completing a series of tests on the ground and then flying. If approval was obtained from AIDC technicians and Lockheed Martin personnel, the device would move on to the painting phase, after which the devices would be returned to the RoCAF. In total, the 144 surviving Block 20s were expected to be upgraded, with the aim of completing the entire program in 2023.
In 2015 the project started and it was decided to use two of the Falcons that Taiwan still retained in the US, at Luke Air Base (21st Fighter Squadron of the RoCAF, which is integrated into the organization chart of the 162nd Wing of the RoCAF). USAF[36]), as test and training devices for the rest of the fleet, at the Lockheed Martin facilities in Fort Worth, Texas. The first thing that was done was to replace the AN/APG-66(V)3 radar and integrate the new AN/APG-83 SABR, to immediately begin testing, initially on the ground and later in the air. The selected candidates were a single-seater, number 6601, and a two-seater, 6801. After being modernized, they were assigned to the 416th Test Squadron (FTS).[37])-nicknamed Skulls- which in turn is subordinate to the 412th Test Wing of the USAF. For lovers of anniversaries, the single-seat example would have the honor of performing the baptism in the air of an F-16V on October 16 of that same year. For the Taiwanese Air Force, the modernized aircraft would be officially known as F-16AM/BM, although they are sometimes also called AM(V).
Two years later, the RoCAF delivered the first 4 copies to AIDC to begin the profound modernization program on the island. Apparently there were some delays as a result of a series of bugs found during testing of the new software. On August 26, 2018, the first F-16V updated in the country, with number 6626 (single-seat), made its maiden flight. At the controls was Lockheed Martin's chief test pilot, Dwayne “Pro” Opella. On October 19, 2018, said device was officially handed over to the Taiwanese Air Force.
In this way, a frenetic race against time began in which the Taiwanese company delivered an average of 24 modernized examples per year. It is true that the pace of updates originally planned ended up being overly optimistic, both due to the delays in providing the necessary training to the AIDC staff involved, which was forced to hire additional highly qualified labor, and due to the terrible consequences of the COVID pandemic.
In March 2021, the IOC was authorized[38] of the first Viper. Surprisingly, full combat capability was authorized just half a year later, on November 18, at the same time as it was announced that, At that time, no less than 64 devices had already been updated, which were already operating with the RoCAF. In December 2022, the F-16 number 6621 became the 100th modernized aircraft. Exactly one year later, The last of a total of 141 F-16A/B modernized to V standard were delivered, given that at that time the Taiwanese Air Force had suffered three other losses.
The F-16AM(V) and BM(V) serve with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing[39] (with the 21st, 22nd and 23rd Tactical Fighter Groups) at Chiayi Air Base and with the 5th TFW, at Hualien/Chiashan Air Base, further subdivided into the 17th, 26th and 27th Tactical Fighter Groups and the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. As we have already said, they also maintain a small number of F-16s in the US, to train new pilots.
However, Taiwanese ambitions did not end there, and they quickly attempted to negotiate the acquisition of the brand new F-35 Lightning II. However, the Biden Administration was not up for the job, at least in principle, so they offered to acquire more F-16s, this time new and of the latest variant, known as Block 70/72. A possible sale that we will discuss in the second part of this article.
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