F-16V Viper Fighter Aircraft: Latest Evolution Detailed
Known also as the F-16 Block 70/72, the F-16V (Viper) is the most recent evolution of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a renowned fourth-generation multi-role fighting falcon aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin. This variant incorporates a suite of advanced capabilities designed to significantly enhance its ability to inter-operate seamlessly with fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 and F-22. The F-16V configuration is positioned to maintain the platform’s relevance and effectiveness in modern combat environments for decades to come, leveraging decades of operational experience and continuous upgrades to deliver a potent Viper Fighter Aircraft to global allies.
The fighter jet is engineered for a wide range of missions, including the suppression of enemy air defence, air-to-ground and air-to-air combat operations, as well as deep interdiction and maritime interdiction tasks.
The aircraft boasts airborne mission role-change capability, allowing for dynamic adaptation mid-flight. It is equipped to detect and track time-critical, hard-to-find targets effectively in all weather conditions. Furthermore, the design and upgrade package aim to reduce operational costs for the user nations, adding economic efficiency to its combat prowess. As a versatile single seater fighter aircraft, its adaptability is key to its enduring success.
The F-16 aircraft is widely deployed, currently serving with the armed forces of over 20 countries, including the US and its key allied nations such as 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. The F-16 fleet has undergone continuous upgrades throughout its history to improve its capabilities and maintain effectiveness against evolving threats and in advanced combat scenarios. These structural and capability enhancements are projected to keep the F-16 fleet operational until 2060 and potentially beyond, solidifying its place as one of the world’s best air fighter aircraft platforms.
F-16V Development Timeline
The F-16V jet fighter variant was officially unveiled to the public at the Singapore Air Show in February 2012, marking a significant milestone in the platform’s evolution. The Viper configuration is offered both as a newly manufactured aircraft and as a comprehensive components upgrade package for existing F-16 versions, providing flexibility for current operators.
In October 2012, Lockheed Martin secured a substantial $1.85bn contract from the US Government for the upgrade of 145 Block 20 F-16A/B aircraft belonging to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force. These upgrades are primarily based on the advancements introduced with the F-16 Viper version. The integration of a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system, a key feature of the Viper, was completed in August 2014, significantly enhancing the aircraft’s targeting and situational awareness capabilities.
Lockheed Martin showcased the F-16V cockpit demonstrator in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October 2015, for evaluation by the Indonesian Air Force. Further development and testing continued, with the first Hellenic Air Force F-16 upgraded to the Viper V setup arriving in the US for testing in February 2021.
The first newly produced F-16 Block 70 aircraft conducted its maiden flight at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, in January 2023. This aircraft was the first of 16 destined for Bahrain. Lockheed Martin subsequently delivered this first F-16 Block 70 aircraft to Bahrain in March 2023. Beyond Bahrain, five other nations, including the US, the Philippines, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Greece, have selected the F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft to bolster their air forces.
F-16V Viper multi-role fighter aircraft on display, revealed at Singapore Airshow 2012
Cockpit and Avionics of the F-16 Viper
The F-16V features an advanced glass cockpit environment, incorporating an upgraded mission computer and state-of-the-art avionics systems. Key components include colour multi-function displays, a large high-resolution centre pedestal display (CPD), a helmet-mounted cueing system, and a high-volume, high-speed data bus for rapid information transfer.
The CPD is particularly important for enhancing crew situational awareness by supporting real-time processing and imaging of critical flight safety data and tactical information. The F-16 Viper is also equipped with an upgraded, programmable display generator, a Link-16 theatre data link for network-centric operations, identification friend or foe (IFF) systems, and comprehensive HF/UHF/VHF radio communications.
Side view of an F-16V Viper fighter jet in flight, showcasing its design
A single, high-performance, modular mission computer replaces the three original computers found in older F-16 variants. This provides significantly higher computing power to the avionics and weapon systems, resulting in improved situational awareness, enhanced air-to-air strike performance, more accurate targeting, and superior information processing capabilities. The aircraft’s gigabit ethernet-based architecture enables sophisticated control over electronic warfare (EW) displays and other avionics systems.
The advanced fighter jet is also fitted with precision GPS navigation and an automated ground collision avoidance system (Auto-GCAS). This system provides the pilot with timely alerts of an imminent collision with the ground and can even take control of the aircraft to avoid the collision if the pilot is unresponsive to the visual cues. Pilot safety is further enhanced by Martin-Baker’s US18E ejection seat, which offers fifth-generation escape performance. The seat features a modular design for easier and lower-cost maintenance and includes a Martin-Baker electronic sequencer, neck protection device, head support panel, and a large-diameter parachute.
F-16V Weapon Systems
An F-16V can be armed with a diverse array of weapon systems to fulfill its multi-role mission requirements. This includes a range of air-to-air missiles (AAMs), such as AIM-9 Sidewinder, Magic II, and ASRAAM for short-range engagements, as well as AIM-7, Sky Flash, and AIM-120 for medium-range intercepts. High off-bore-sight, infrared AAMs like AIM-9X, Python IV, AIM-132 ASRAAM, and IRIS-T are also available, providing pilots with expanded engagement envelopes.
For air-to-ground and anti-ship missions, the aircraft supports the integration of AGM-119/AGM-84/AGM-65G anti-ship missiles and the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground tactical missile. It can also employ precision-guided munitions such as Paveway laser-guided bombs, GBU-15 bombs, and wind-corrected munitions dispenser weapons, enabling accurate strikes against various ground and naval targets. In March 2021, L3Harris introduced the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield, an advanced all-digital EW suite specifically tailored for integration into the baseline configuration of F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft. Developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin, this EW suite is designed to significantly enhance the survivability and mission success of the the most advanced fighter aircraft variants against sophisticated electronic threats.
Targeting and Countermeasures of Viper Fighter
The F-16V’s offensive and defensive capabilities are significantly enhanced by its advanced targeting and countermeasures systems. The APG-83 AESA radar is a cornerstone of the Viper’s sensor suite, enabling all-weather targeting and providing high-resolution detection and imaging of land-based targets. The phased array nature of the radar allows for the simultaneous application of both air-to-air and air-to-surface modes, providing the pilot with comprehensive situational awareness and targeting flexibility.
The onboard Sniper advanced targeting pod (ATP) provides the F-16 Viper with high-precision air-to-surface and air-to-air targeting capability. It supports the launch 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 depending on the mission. The Sniper ATP, when combined with the Legion-ES™ infrared search and track (IRST) system, further improves the situational awareness of the pilot and enhances warfighter survivability by passively detecting airborne targets.
To defend against threats, the Viper Fighter Aircraft is equipped with upgraded EW equipment and modern threat warning systems. These include jammers, threat warning receivers, electronic countermeasures equipment pods, and chaff and infrared flare dispensers, all designed to protect the aircraft from the most dangerous threats encountered in complex battlefield scenarios. Comparing it within its generation highlights why it’s a key player in 4th generation fighter aircraft comparison.
F-16 Viper Engine Specifications
Powering the F-16V fighter jet is a single turbofan engine, with customers having the option to choose between two powerful models: the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 or the General Electric F110-GE-129. The F100-PW-229 engine develops a thrust of 29,100lb (129.4 kN), while the General Electric F110-GE-129 generates a slightly higher power output of 29,500lb (131.2 kN).
This robust power plant provides the aircraft with impressive performance characteristics, including a maximum speed of Mach 2 (approximately 2,450 km/h or 1,500 mph) and a substantial ferry range of 1,740 nautical miles (about 3,220 km or 2,000 miles) when equipped with external fuel tanks.
An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in flight, representative of the global fleet
F-16 Viper Orders and Deliveries
The F-16V (Viper) and Block 70/72 variants have seen significant interest and orders from various countries seeking to modernize their air forces. In November 2016, the US Air Force (USAF) awarded Lockheed Martin a foreign military sales (FMS) contract for the upgrade of 134 F-16 aircraft to the F-16V configuration for Taiwan.
Lockheed Martin received a $1.12bn contract from the US Government in June 2018 for the development and production of 16 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft specifically for the Royal Bahraini Air Force. The Kingdom of Bahrain holds the distinction of being the first international customer to receive this new-build version, which integrates advanced avionics, the APG-83 AESA radar, and sophisticated weapons systems.
F-16 Block 70 fighter jet delivered to the Royal Bahraini Air Force in March 2023
Further FMS approvals have paved the way for other nations to acquire the Viper. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved the potential $1.67bn sale of eight F-16 Viper fighter jets, along with associated weapons and training equipment, to Bulgaria. In a larger deal, the US State Department approved a possible $8bn sale of 66 F-16C/D Block 70 fighters and related equipment to Taiwan in August 2019. 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 $2.43bn.
Amidst rising regional tensions, Greece received the initial batch of upgraded F-16 Vipers for the Hellenic Air Force in September 2022, as part of a comprehensive $1.5bn F-16 modernization programme. This upgrade aims to increase NATO interoperability with both fourth and fifth-generation fighter aircraft, thereby enhancing the capability of allies to defend Greece’s security interests. By August 2023, the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) had received its tenth upgraded F-16 jet in the Viper configuration.
Deliveries have also commenced for European customers. Lockheed Martin successfully completed the maiden flight of the first F-16 Block 70 aircraft destined for the Slovak Republic in September 2023. Following this, in January 2024, Lockheed Martin formally handed over the first duo of F-16 Block 70 jets to Slovakia, marking a key delivery milestone.
The first F-16 Block 70 Viper jet delivered to Slovakia, the first European recipient
Contractors Involved in the F-16V Program
The development and production of the F-16V and Block 70/72 involve collaboration with numerous contractors supplying specialized systems and services. In December 2016, the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) contracted Stauder Technologies, a company specializing in targeting, geodetic, and communications systems, to upgrade the existing IDM 302 avionics boxes on their F-16s with HydeDM 302 VMF Modems. Designed to meet Lockheed Martin’s F-16 specifications, the HydeDM 302, driven by Stauder’s JECL messaging and peripheral management software, replaces the IDM 302 with form/fit/function+ compatibility. This transition requires no alterations to aircraft wiring or Operational Flight Programs (OFPs) and instantly ensures aircraft interoperability with US and allied forces using Joint CAS (JCAS) digital messaging standards for digitally aided CAS (DACAS).
In a significant move related to manufacturing, Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Lockheed Martin signed an agreement in September 2018 to commence production of F-16 wings in India for export, supporting India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Electronic warfare systems are a critical area of development. In March 2021, Lockheed Martin contracted L3Harris Technologies to develop an advanced EW system aimed at safeguarding the F-16 multi-role fighter aircraft from evolving radar and electronic threats on the global stage. Separately, in January 2021, Northrop Grumman was selected by the USAF to finalize the EW suite design that will replace the legacy EW systems on its existing F-16 fighter aircraft fleet. The USAF further contracted Northrop Grumman in May 2022 to advance the development of the AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) for developmental testing and complete hardware qualification. Northrop Grumman has conducted a series of hardware and software tests to ensure the readiness of IVEWS. In April 2023, the IVEWS completed US Air Force Laboratory Intelligence Validated Emulator (LIVE) testing and demonstrated its ability to counter modern radio frequency (RF) threats effectively.
Maiden flight of the first F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Slovakia in South Carolina
Support services are also essential. Lockheed Martin and the Polish company WZL-2 entered into a service agreement in June 2021 to provide ongoing support for Polish F-16s. Furthermore, in August 2023, Amentum received a substantial $818m contract to support and modernize the US Navy’s F-16 fleet, offering technical, sustainment, and logistics solutions for the F-16 aircraft stationed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nevada.
In conclusion, the F-16V (Viper) represents a significant modernization of the venerable F-16 platform. Its integration of advanced avionics, weapon systems, and electronic warfare capabilities ensures its continued relevance in contemporary and future air combat scenarios. With ongoing production and deliveries to numerous global partners, the viper fighter aircraft remains a critical asset for air forces worldwide, projected to serve for decades to come.
