The F-16V Fighting Falcon: A Premier Fourth-Generation Multi-Role Aircraft
The F-16V (Viper), also known by its Block 70/72 designation, represents the most recent advancement in the distinguished line of F-16 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. This fourth-generation multi-role fighter jet is a product of Lockheed Martin, integrating sophisticated capabilities designed to significantly enhance its interoperability with fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35 and F-22. This upgrade package positions the F-16V as a highly relevant and formidable platform in modern aerial warfare.
![Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper multi-role Fighting Falcon Aircraft in flight]
The F-16V is engineered for a wide array of combat roles. Its operational deployments include suppressing enemy air defenses, engaging in both air-to-ground and air-to-air combat scenarios, and executing deep interdiction and maritime interdiction missions.
Beyond its combat versatility, the aircraft boasts an airborne mission role-change capability, allowing for dynamic adaptation during flight. It excels at detecting and tracking time-critical, hard-to-find targets across all weather conditions, while simultaneously contributing to reduced operational costs for its operators.
Global Presence and Ongoing Upgrades of the Fighting Falcon
The F-16 fighter aircraft generations fleet has achieved widespread global adoption, currently serving with the armed forces of over 20 nations. These include key allies such as the US, Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovakia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the UAE.
To ensure continued relevance and effectiveness in advanced combat scenarios, the F-16 fleet undergoes continuous structural and capability upgrades. These enhancements are designed to keep the aircraft operational and effective well into the future, with projections extending its service life until 2060 and potentially beyond.
Development History of the F-16V
The F-16V jet fighter was officially revealed to the public at the Singapore Air Show in February 2012. The Viper configuration is offered both as a new production aircraft and as a comprehensive components upgrade for existing F-16 variants, providing flexibility to operators looking to modernize their fleets.
A significant milestone occurred in October 2012 when Lockheed Martin secured a $1.85 billion contract from the US Government to upgrade 145 Block 20 F-16A/B aircraft for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force. These upgrades are based on the advanced F-16 Viper version.
The integration of a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar onto the Viper aircraft was successfully completed in August 2014. Demonstrations of the F-16V cockpit followed, including one in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October 2015 for the Indonesian Air Force.
Further development saw the first Hellenic Air Force F-16, upgraded to the Viper V setup, arrive in the US for testing in February 2021. The maiden flight of the first F-16 Block 70 aircraft destined for Bahrain took place at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, in January 2023. This aircraft was the first of 16 ordered by Bahrain, which received its initial delivery in March 2023.
![F-16V Viper Fighting Falcon Aircraft unveiled at Singapore Airshow]
Five other countries – the US, the Philippines, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Greece – have also selected the F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft for their respective armed forces, highlighting its appeal on the global market.
Cockpit, Avionics, and Crew Safety
The F-16V’s advanced glass cockpit represents a major upgrade. It features an enhanced mission computer and state-of-the-art avionics, including full-color multi-function displays, a large high-resolution center pedestal display, and a helmet-mounted cueing system. A high-volume, high-speed data bus facilitates rapid information flow.
The Central Pedestal Display (CPD) significantly improves crew situational awareness by supporting real-time processing and imaging of flight safety data. The F-16 Viper is also outfitted with an upgraded, programmable display generator, a Link-16 theatre data link, identification friend or foe systems, and advanced HF/UHF/VHF radio communications.
Replacing three original computers, the single, high-performance, modular mission computer in the F-16V provides substantially higher computing power for the avionics and weapon systems. This results in improved situational awareness, enhanced air-to-air strike performances, more accurate targeting, and superior information capabilities. The aircraft’s gigabit ethernet-based architecture enables seamless control of electronic warfare (EW) displays and other avionics systems.
Fitted with precision GPS navigation and an automated ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS), the advanced fighter jet provides pilots with timely alerts of imminent ground collisions. In the event of a pilot’s unresponsiveness, the system can automatically take control to prevent a collision.
Crew escape performance is addressed by Martin-Baker’s US18E ejection seat, designed for fifth-generation capabilities. Its modular design facilitates easy and low-cost maintenance and includes features like an electronic sequencer, neck protection, and head support panel with a larger diameter parachute.
Weapon Systems and Electronic Warfare
The F-16V can be armed with a comprehensive suite of weapon systems, making it a versatile platform for diverse combat missions. It supports a range of air-to-air missiles (AAMs), including short-range variants like AIM-9 Sidewinder, Magic II, and ASRAAM, as well as medium-range AAMs such as AIM-7, Sky Flash, and AIM-120. High off-bore-sight, infrared AAMs like AIM-9X, Python IV, AIM-132 ASRAAM, and IRIS-T are also compatible.
For ground and maritime attack roles, the aircraft can integrate AGM-119/AGM-84/AGM-65G anti-ship missiles and the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground tactical missile. It also supports precision-guided munitions, including Paveway laser-guided bombs, GBU-15 bombs, and wind-corrected munitions dispenser weapons.
In March 2021, L3Harris introduced the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield, an advanced all-digital EW suite developed specifically for integration into the baseline configuration of F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft in partnership with Lockheed Martin. This EW suite is designed to significantly enhance the aircraft’s survivability and mission success against evolving threats.
Advanced Targeting and Countermeasures
Targeting capabilities are significantly enhanced by the F-16V’s APG-83 AESA radar. This system provides all-weather targeting capabilities and offers high-resolution detection and imaging of ground-based targets. The phased array radar allows for simultaneous operation in air-to-air and air-to-surface modes.
The onboard Sniper advanced targeting pod (ATP) provides the F-16 Viper with high-precision air-to-surface and air-to-air targeting. It supports the deployment of all laser-guided and GPS-guided weapons against multiple fixed and moving targets. The aircraft can also be integrated with FLIR/laser systems and various reconnaissance and navigation pods. The combination of the Sniper ATP and the Legion-ES™ infrared search and track (IRST) system improves the pilot’s situational awareness and enhances survivability for the warfighter.
![First F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon aircraft delivered to Royal Bahraini Air Force]
Equipped with upgraded EW equipment and modern threat warning systems, the Viper fighter can effectively defend against the most dangerous threats in complex battlefield scenarios. These systems include jammers, advanced threat warning receivers, electronic countermeasures equipment pods, and chaff and infrared flare dispensers.
F-16 Viper Engine Performance
The F-16V is powered by a single turbofan engine, with operators having the choice between a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 or a General Electric F110-GE-129. The F100-PW-229 engine generates a thrust of 29,100lb, while the F110-GE-129 offers slightly more power at 29,500lb.
This powerful engine provides the aircraft with impressive performance metrics, including a maximum speed exceeding Mach 2 and a substantial ferry range of 1,740 nautical miles. Considering it among the world’s best air fighter aircraft, the propulsion system is key to its mission effectiveness.
Orders, Deliveries, and Global Adoption
The F-16V has seen significant global interest and adoption. The US Air Force (USAF) awarded Lockheed Martin a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract in November 2016 to upgrade 134 F-16 aircraft to the F-16V configuration for various international partners.
Bahrain was the first customer for the new production version, the F-16 Block 70. Lockheed Martin received a $1.12 billion contract in June 2018 from the US Government for the development of 16 such aircraft for the Royal Bahraini Air Force, with the first delivery occurring in March 2023.
Other notable FMS approvals include the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approval in August 2019 for a possible $8 billion sale of 66 F-16C/D Block 70 fighters and associated equipment, and in June 2021, the DSCA approved the sale of F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft and related equipment to the Government of the Philippines for an estimated cost of $2.43 billion.
Amidst regional tensions, Greece began receiving its initial batch of F-16 Vipers for the Hellenic Air Force in September 2022, as part of a $1.5 billion modernization program. This upgrade is aimed at enhancing NATO interoperability with fourth and fifth-generation aircraft and bolstering Greece’s defense capabilities. By August 2023, the Hellenic Air Force had received the tenth upgraded F-16 jet in the Viper configuration. While discussing global deployments, it’s interesting to note the variety among national air forces, from the widely adopted F-16 to specialized fleets like Japanese fighter aircraft.
Lockheed Martin completed the maiden flight of the first F-16 Block 70 aircraft designated for the Slovak Republic in September 2023, and the first two jets were handed over to Slovakia in January 2024, making Slovakia the first European country to receive this variant.
![Slovakia becomes first European nation to receive F-16 Block 70 fighting falcon jet]
Key Contractors and Industry Partners
The development and ongoing support of the F-16V involves a network of key contractors and industry partners.
In December 2016, the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) contracted Stauder Technologies to upgrade the avionics boxes on their F-16s with HydeDM 302 VMF Modems. This upgrade, based on Stauder’s software, ensures interoperability with US and allied forces using Joint CAS (JCAS) digital messaging standards without requiring aircraft wiring or Operational Flight Program alterations.
As part of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Lockheed Martin signed an agreement in September 2018 to produce F-16 wings in India for export.
L3Harris Technologies was contracted by Lockheed Martin in March 2021 to develop an advanced EW system specifically for the F-16 multi-role fighter, enhancing its protection against evolving global radar and electronic threats. This system is distinct from earlier Cold War fighter aircraft electronic suites.
Lockheed Martin and Polish company WZL-2 established a service agreement in June 2021 for ongoing support to Polish F-16s.
Northrop Grumman was selected by the USAF in January 2021 to finalize the EW suite intended to replace legacy systems on the USAF F-16 fleet. Further development continued in May 2022 with a contract awarded to Northrop Grumman to advance the AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS). The IVEWS successfully completed US Air Force Laboratory Intelligence Validated Emulator (LIVE) testing in April 2023, demonstrating its capability to counter modern radio frequency threats.
Finally, in August 2023, Amentum received an $818 million contract to provide support and modernization services for the US Navy’s F-16 fleet stationed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nevada, offering technical, sustainment, and logistics solutions.
In summary, the F-16V Fighting Falcon represents a significant evolution of a proven airframe, incorporating advanced technologies to remain a highly capable and globally relevant multi-role fighter aircraft for decades to come.
