LOCKHEED MARTIN ANNOUNCES F-16V DEVELOPMENT - A new F-16

[Nishan_101]

Lockheed Martin unveiled a new version of the F-16 today at the Singapore Airshow. The F-16V will feature enhancements including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, an upgraded mission computer and architecture, and improvements to the cockpit – all capabilities identified by the U.S. Air Force and several international customers for future improvements.
With nearly 4,500 F-16s delivered, this is a natural step in the evolution of the world’s most successful 4th generation fighter. The Fighting Falcon program has continually evolved as it began with the F-16 A/B as the lightweight fighter then transitioned to F-16 C/D and Block 60 versions as customers’ requirements changed.
AESA radars offer significant operational capability improvements. Lockheed Martin has developed an innovative solution to affordably retrofit this key technology into existing F-16s. The F-16V configuration is an option for new production jets and elements of the upgrade are available to most earlier-model F-16s. The “V” designation is derived from Viper, the name fighter pilots have called the F-16 from its beginnings.
“We believe this F-16V will satisfy our customers’ emerging requirements and prepare them to better interoperate with the 5th generation fighters, the F-35 and F-22,” said George Standridge, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ vice president of business development.

Source: LOCKHEED MARTIN

 

[Mech]

So this used to be marketed as F-16IN in a distant land.

 

[BlackenTheSky]

Due to the challenges of future. The big Airforces are focusing on 5th generation Aircrafts. I doubt if this F 16 could impress any. If it's 4.5, then still it won't get much buyers. As US airforce are acquiring F-35, India on Rafalle, Pakistan on Fc-20. Maybe UAE or any other could show interest. Maybe we could see some more pics.

 

[SQ8]

So this used to be marketed as F-16IN in a distant land.

Nope.. this is the LM pitch for a USAF golden F-16 to stand in for the as of yet delayed F-35.

 

[Nishan_101]

I think only Taiwan which is quite interested in F-16 may going to order, if the UAE, Egypt and Qatar are not selling their Mirage-2000s to them, as these are looking towards replacing their Mirage-2000s with 4.5th or 5th Generation Chinese/Russian Aircrafts.

 

[Mosamania]

Due to the challenges of future. The big Airforces are focusing on 5th generation Aircrafts. I doubt if this F 16 could impress any. If it's 4.5, then still it won't get much buyers. As US airforce are acquiring F-35, India on Rafalle, Pakistan on Fc-20. Maybe UAE or any other could show interest. Maybe we could see some more pics.

UAE has the more advanced block 60.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Gripen has better future prospects than F-16s. Soon it'll sport Vixen 1000E AESA radars by Selex Galileo.

 

[NeutralCitizen]

Pakistan should look into this.

 

[Zabaniyah]

“We believe this F-16V will satisfy our customers’ emerging requirements and prepare them to better interoperate with the 5th generation fighters, the F-35 and F-22,” said George Standridge, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ vice president of business development.

Key feature is that it can establish data links with 5th generation planes.

The F-16V has datalinks which communicate with the F-35 and F-22. “We believe this F-16V will satisfy our customers’ emerging requirements and prepare them to better interoperate with the fifth generation fighters, the F-35 and F-22,” says Lockheed Martin aeronautics VP business development, George Standridge.

The new capability on the F-16 means even if a country is unable to buy the F-35 or F-22, it can still have fighters that can operate alongside U.S. and other air forces’ fifth generation fighters.

This V variant comes with AESA radar, upgraded mission computer and architecture, and improvements to the cockpit, says Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed Unveils New C-130, F-16 Variants | AVIATION WEEK

Thanks to the delays in the F-35 At least Lockheed can make money

 

[Skull and Bones]

Pakistan should look into this.

Highly unlikely with AESA radar, on the fear of tech leakage.

 

[Chogy]

The AESA upgrade is HUGE. It is hard to overstate just how important AESA is for the air to air role - heck ALL roles expected of a fighter.

The F-16 airframe is still one of the best ever designed of the non-stealthy generation. Take that basic airframe and upgrade the sensors, and you will have a superb fighter.

I've emphasized this a dozen times on PDF... the future of the air war is radar, sensors, cooperative data sharing, and smart, advanced weapons. NOT mach 2, zooming around at high G all the time, and doing yo-yos, lag rolls, and scissors.

 

[farhan_9909]

Gripen has better future prospects than F-16s. Soon it'll sport Vixen 1000E AESA radars by Selex Galileo.

Al most same price
More payload
More range
higher twr
damn agile
proven AESA radar
true multirole
More speed
Grummon 2ndto none in avionics

is there any point favoring Gripen NG?

 

[Zabaniyah]

is there any point favoring Gripen NG?

No.

Hell, it even uses an American engine

 

[Nishan_101]

Now Pakistan is only looking towards the further development of JF-17 Block-IIs and Block-IIIs along with the new 5th Generation single engine fighter as we learnt from the post in the past. J-10Bs would be coming Insha ALLAH till 2015 about 50 of them.

 

[Battle Axe]

Lockheed Martin's F-16V seems to be outdated even before its induction, not literally though, but for the fact that it would fetch few buyers in the world market, really few.

Time for LM to grease palms of congressmen for relaxing sanctions on third world AFs which are still enamoured with the prospect of inducting Vipers...