Romania receives its first F-16 fighter aircraft

[Zarvan]

The first six Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters for Romania were delivered on 28 September. Source: Romanian Ministry of National Defence
Romania's first six Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft were officially handed over on 28 September at Monte Real Air Force Base Nº5 in Portugal.

The former Portuguese Air Force aircraft are due to be flown to Romania on 29 September where they will be assigned to the 86th Air Base at Borcea, which is currently home to MiG- 21 LanceR aircraft.

Romania purchased 12 F-16s from Portugal for EUR181 million (USD203 million) in September 2013. These include nine F-16AM single-seaters and three F-16BM two-seaters, and were bought via C. N. Romtehnica under the Peace Carpathian programme, with third-party transfer authorisation coming from the US government.

Three more aircraft will be delivered by December, while the final three will be delivered in October 2017, the Portuguese Ministry of National Defence (MoND) toldIHS Jane's .

The deal also included overhaul of engines; initial logistics support; training of up to nine pilots, 75 technicians, and four mission planers; two years of on-site support; and updating the fleet to operational flight program (OFP) development software M5.2R standard, with support from Lockheed Martin.

Romania also operates MiG- 21 LanceRs from its 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii. The country is hoping to procure another batch of F-16s from a NATO nation and have them upgraded to finally replace the LanceR.

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http://www.janes.com/article/64152/romania-receives-its-first-f-16-fighter-aircraft

 

[JPMM]

We dont like the paint!!!

The two Air Frces are brothers!!

These are good machines, they are in Tape 5.2 meaning some restrictions , we are allready flying Tape 6.1 and developing Tape 7 (Aesa)

They will be 100% operational as they enter Romanian Air Space

GOOD LUKE FRIENDS

There are rumors that we will sell the remaining F16 to Romania and Bulgaria, and buy Eurofighter

 

[Skull and Bones]

F-16 is a credible fighter jet.

 

[flamer84]

These are good machines, they are in Tape 5.2 meaning some restrictions , we are allready flying Tape 6.1 and developing Tape 7 (Aesa)

There re no restrictions for Romania ,Lockheed told us that they can supply the latest "V" variant to or upgrade SH F16's to that level.Bell wants to open a factory in here with ToT for their latest AH attack choppers if we buy some.We allready ordered and were given approval for the AIM9X BLK 2.It's just that Romania gets what it pays for,hopefully,for next year's batch they'll pay more for something better.

Arriving at their new home

 

[Incog_nito]

From which block they belong to?

 

[Penguin]

From which block they belong to?

ex-Portugese. AM version. That is to say, all six F-16A block 15 aircraft upgraded to MLU M5.2. The next three aircraft will be delivered at the end of this year, with the last ones to arrive at the end of 2017.

The MLU changes include: block 50 F-16C/D-style cockpit with color multifunction displays, modular mission computer, APG-66(V)2 radar update, digital terrain system, Global Positioning System, advanced identification friend or foe, Improved Data Modem data link, electronic warfare management system, plus provisions for a reconnaissance pod and a helmet-mounted display. These modifications will result in the Portuguese Air Force having a configuration common with the other western European NATO F-16A/B users that participate in the MLU program (Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway)

For details Portugese F-16s see http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article16.html
For details Block 15 see http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article3.html
For details MLU see: http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article2.html

 

[Sine Nomine]

ex-Portugese. AM version. That is to say, all six F-16A block 15 aircraft upgraded to MLU M5.2. The next three aircraft will be delivered at the end of this year, with the last ones to arrive at the end of 2017.

The MLU changes include: block 50 F-16C/D-style cockpit with color multifunction displays, modular mission computer, APG-66(V)2 radar update, digital terrain system, Global Positioning System, advanced identification friend or foe, Improved Data Modem data link, electronic warfare management system, plus provisions for a reconnaissance pod and a helmet-mounted display. These modifications will result in the Portuguese Air Force having a configuration common with the other western European NATO F-16A/B users that participate in the MLU program (Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway)

For details Portugese F-16s see http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article16.html
For details Block 15 see http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article3.html
For details MLU see: http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article2.html

Does these upgrades increase load carrying capability.

 

[JPMM]

No it doesnt.
And it is not needed!

For F16AM tapes search http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article2.html

Sorry! someone in Portuguese Air Force saw my post and correct me, we are already operating Tape M6.5 standard.

Sorry Flamer84 , Tape M5.2 do not have

• Improved IFF system (Mode 5 waveform with better distinction between friendly and enemy aircraft)

• Introduction of AIM-120D missile (two-way datalink, improved navigation and High-Angle Off-Boresight capabilities, a doubled range)

• Introduction of more advanced A/G weapons (GBU-39 SDB, GBU-54 LJDAM)

• Integration of improved Link-16 functions with net-centric capability

• Integration of a new Universal Armament Interface to standardize communication between the aircraft and the weapons, illuminating the need for new OPF tapes with every new weapon system

 

[flamer84]

No it doesnt.
And it is not needed!

For F16AM tapes search http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article2.html

Sorry! someone in Portuguese Air Force saw my post and correct me, we are already operating Tape M6.5 standard.

Sorry Flamer84 , Tape M5.2 do not have

• Improved IFF system (Mode 5 waveform with better distinction between friendly and enemy aircraft)

• Introduction of AIM-120D missile (two-way datalink, improved navigation and High-Angle Off-Boresight capabilities, a doubled range)

• Introduction of more advanced A/G weapons (GBU-39 SDB, GBU-54 LJDAM)

• Integration of improved Link-16 functions with net-centric capability

• Integration of a new Universal Armament Interface to standardize communication between the aircraft and the weapons, illuminating the need for new OPF tapes with every new weapon system

No problem mate,I'm not disputing the technicalities,just that this isn't about restrictions but more about that we were given what we paid for.We wanted something on the cheap,we got that.If we stop being cheeapscakes we will get a better product.All our partners literraly shove top defence items in our face but we dance around "what's the most cheap one?".

There's no secret about this purchase,on this batch Romania wanted an air policing fighter which will maintain a 4th gen capability for RoAf.For the next batch the ideeais that we need to evolve.From 2020,the F35 is the target.