The F-16 Fighting Falcon is the first operational fighter to employ fly-by-wire flight controls, relaxed static stability, high-g cockpit, bubble canopy, variable camber wings, blended wing-body design, modular construction, and integrated digital avionics.

The latest version of the aircraft is Block 60 which is designated F-16E/D. These aircraft were developed for the UAE Air Force.

The F-16E/F resembles earlier F-16 aircraft in appearance only. Internally, the Block 60 has an all-new cockpit that features all-digital instruments and three 5x7-inch color displays. It is powered by a General Electric F110-GE-132 engine that produces 32,500 pounds of thrust. Additionally, the F-16E/F features a new avionics suite with highlights including a revolutionary Electronic Warfare (EW) system, the new APG-80 Agile Beam Radar (ABR) or Active Electronically Scanned Array and a new Integrated FLIR Targeting System (IFTS), all provided by Northrop Grumman.

Block 50/52

The latest version of the aircraft in service with the USAF are F-16C/D Block 50/52. Under a program started in June 2001, and refered to as Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP), Lockheed Martin is in the process of upgrading 650 Block 40/50 F-16s in the USAF inventory to Block 50/52 status. Each CCIP upgrade is valued at over $1 billion.

The CCIP modifications, besides standardizing the US inventory of F-16's provides a high degree of commonality with F-16A/Bs being upgraded by five European NATO countries and with advanced Block 50/52 versions currently being developed for several other countries.

Block 50/52 Features include the modular mission computer, color cockpit displays and recording equipment, on-board oxygen generating system, and the APX-113 advanced electronic interrogator/transponder.

Phased Implementation of CCIP

The F-16 CCIP significantly enhances the cockpit and avionics. The program is being implemented in two phases.

The first phase of the CCIP consisted of upgrades to computers and cockpit MFDs. Computer software changes will allow the aircraft to operate either the High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile Targeting System pod or a FLIR targeting pod (including the new Sniper XR Advanced Targeting Pod) from the right inlet chin station.

The second phase includes Link 16 data link, the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System and an electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI).

The Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) provides a secure, jam resistant, high-capacity data communications link with other fighters, airborne control aircraft and ground control centers.

The helmet-mounted cueing system allows various weapons and sensors to be cued to the pilot’s line of sight, and the pilot’s eyes to be cued to targets that sensors are tracking, or targets data-linked from other sources. The system is particularly useful in cueing and launching agile weapons, such as AIM-9X, at high angles off the aircraft’s nose.

The HSI uses the APX-113 air-to-air interrogator, which provides the F-16 pilot increased situation awareness and the ability to autonomously identify targets, and thus, a robust beyond-visual-range intercept capability using the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

Radar

The Northrop Grumman AN/APG-68 provides 25 separate air-to-air and air-to-ground modes, including long-range, all-aspect detection and tracking, simultaneous multiple-target tracking, and high-resolution ground mapping. The planar antenna array is installed in the nose of the aircraft. The current version of the radar designated as AN/APG-68(V)9 features 30% increase in detection range, 5X increase in processing speed, 10X increase in memory, as well as significant improvements in all modes, jam resistance and false alarm rate. The detection range of the radar in the look down mode is around 120 Kms.

Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a three-year contract from the U.S. Air Force to finish developing a fire-control radar replacement "kit" that will improve performance and enhance reliability in approximately 240 F-16C and D fighter aircraft.

The AN/APG-68(V)10 radar and will give the F-16 an all weather autonomous detection and targeting capability to take full advantage of GPS-aided precision weapons to conduct evolving missions of time critical targeting and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD). The AN/APG-68(V10) will be integrated into Blocks 40 and 50 and capability will be incorporated into other blocks as required.

Weapon Load

The current Block 50 F-16 can carry up to 22,000 pounds of weapons, electronic countermeasures, sensor pods, and external fuel tanks on 11 store stations. With full internal fuel, it carries more than 15,500 pounds of external stores at its maximum takeoff gross weight.

Air-to-air missiles which have been carried on the F-16 include the Lockheed Martin/Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder, Raytheon AMRAAM, Raytheon Sparrow, MBDA Skyflash and ASRAAM, and the MBDA R550 Magic 2. In April 2004, the F-16 first fired the new-generation AIM-9X Sidewinder, which is in full-rate production for the USAF.

Air-to-surface missiles carried on the F-16 include Maverick, HARM and Shrike missiles, manufactured by Raytheon, and anti-ship missiles include Boeing Harpoon and Kongsberg Penguin.

The first guided launch of the new Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) was successfully carried out from an F-16 and the F-16 was the first USAF aircraft to be fitted with the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) in April 2000.

The F-16 can be fitted with Lockheed Martin Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD), which provides precision guidance for CBU-87, -89, and 97 cluster munitions. The system corrects for launch transients, ballistic errors, and winds aloft.

Targeting

The F-16 carries the Lockheed Martin LANTIRN infrared navigation and targeting system. This is used in conjunction with a BAE Systems holographic display. Block 50/52 aircraft are equipped with the HARM Targeting System, AN/ASQ-213 from Raytheon.

US Air National Guard F-16 aircraft are fitted with Northrop Grumman Litening II/Litening ER targeting pods.

In August 2001, Lockheed Martin was selected to provide the Sniper XR as the new Advanced Targeting Pod for USAF F-16 and F-15E aircraft. Sniper XR (Extended Range) incorporates a high-resolution mid-wave FLIR, dual-mode laser, CCD TV, laser spot tracker and laser marker combined with advanced image processing algorithms. Deliveries began in March 2003.

Under the USAF Project Sure Strike, the F-16 is being equipped with an improved data modem (IDM), which automatically provides target data to the HUD using data transmitted by a ground observer. A follow-on program, Project Gold Strike, integrates an upgraded IDM for the transmission of images to and from a range of sources, including ground units and unmanned aircraft. The system can transmit images from the LANTIRN targeting pod and display video imagery to the cockpit

Engine

The aircraft is powered by a single engine the General Electric F110-GE-129 or Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-229. Engine thrust is 27,000 pounds(12,150 kilograms) An inflight refuelling probe is installed in the top of the fuselage

Specifications