Lockheed Martin Inaugurates F-16 Production Line in Greenville, South Carolina

[ali_raza]

Since we have no shortage of Experts on this forum, can someone tell me the difference between Blk52 & Blk70 excluding the radar, engine, EW & CFT probe option.

This will be interesting.

@Tps43 @MastanKhan @Signalian Keep an eye on this thread

its more expensive

 

[Wow]

F16s are loved by PAF. They are incredible beasts especially after 27 Feb

Im sure the jf 17 did most of the damage the Indians cant mention it because giving a Pakistani made plane credit would cause massive diarrhea

 

[Khafee]

its more expensive

LOL! I meant technically

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/06/25/new-f-16s-are-headed-to-bahrain/

Don't know if its the same deal but here it say bahrain is going for 16 F16V for 1.12 billion. That makes it 70 million per plane if it includes all the spares and maintenance costs then it's a good deal.

A much more realistic figure than the following, hence my comments.

Btw DSCA is a good source too.

150 to 200 million each....over priced.

 

[Sully3]

Since we have no shortage of Experts on this forum, can someone tell me the difference between Blk52 & Blk70 excluding the radar, engine, EW & CFT probe option.

This will be interesting.

@Tps43 @MastanKhan @Signalian Keep an eye on this thread

ive herd Lockheed Martin are being lazy/no interest in f16, and installing alot of sensors and other techonolgy used in the f35 on the new block f16s.

Also bro do you think f16's latest block is still the best single engine fighter in the world ?

 

[Khafee]

ive herd Lockheed Martin are being lazy/no interest in f16, and installing alot of sensors and other techonolgy used in the f35 on the new block f16s.

F16 Blk70 is meant for countries that can't get, or afford the F35.

Also bro do you think f16's latest block is still the best single engine fighter in the world ?

Not only THE best single engine, but in terms of tech, it gives a lot twin engines a run for their money.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

I doubt they would have ever agreed to transfer their top of the line tech to India. Most likely they wanted India to buy F21 in knocked down kits with an assembly plant in india. They would never transfer their latest tech for the same reason they would never do so to Pakistan. They simply dont want their tech to be sold to china or russia in case relations go sour. US would have insisted on stringent control over the F16 fleet as they do with any other country around the globe. F16 deal with India was never a viable one considering India wants full TOT.

Any production of F-16/F-21 in India will be limited to a percentage of the aircraft since LM has signed away production rights of certain components to a dozen countries already.
I think LM can allow max 40% to be produced in India, the rest has to be imported and assembled.

 

[Keysersoze]

Since we have no shortage of Experts on this forum, can someone tell me the difference between Blk52 & Blk70 excluding the radar, engine, EW & CFT probe option.

This will be interesting.

@Tps43 @MastanKhan @Signalian Keep an eye on this thread

This is all open source stuff but it does give an insight

"the APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, above-wing fuel tanks for increased range, and an automatic ground collision avoidance system. The Block 70 also has a structural service life of 12,000 hours, compared to 4,000 to 8,000 hours for earlier versions of the F-16",
And
Lockheed's promotional video shows the fighter with a remarkable ten missiles—eight medium range, radar-guided AMRAAM missiles plus two AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. The F-21 can be seen carrying a Sniper electro-optical targeting pod, also produced by Lockheed Martin. In service with the U.S. Air Force, the Sniper pod provides HD forward-looking infrared (also known as thermal imaging), a dual mode laser, video data link, and digital data recorder. The F-21 also features an aerial refueling probe for refueling using the drogue system and a huge flat panel cockpit display.

This hints at structural improvement durability and strength.

 

[Pandora]

Any production of F-16/F-21 in India will be limited to a percentage of the aircraft since LM has signed away production rights of certain components to a dozen countries already.
I think LM can allow max 40% to be produced in India, the rest has to be imported and assembled.

I doubt US would give access to engines and avionics so most likely just airframe manufacturing capacity at best.

 

[Khafee]

This is all open source stuff but it does give an insight

"the APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, above-wing fuel tanks for increased range, and an automatic ground collision avoidance system. The Block 70 also has a structural service life of 12,000 hours, compared to 4,000 to 8,000 hours for earlier versions of the F-16",
And
Lockheed's promotional video shows the fighter with a remarkable ten missiles—eight medium range, radar-guided AMRAAM missiles plus two AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. The F-21 can be seen carrying a Sniper electro-optical targeting pod, also produced by Lockheed Martin. In service with the U.S. Air Force, the Sniper pod provides HD forward-looking infrared (also known as thermal imaging), a dual mode laser, video data link, and digital data recorder. The F-21 also features an aerial refueling probe for refueling using the drogue system and a huge flat panel cockpit display.

This hints at structural improvement durability and strength.

Bro, I already excluded what you have mentioned. But thank you for your input, it makes the thread more informative.

Now what I am hinting at is also in the public domain, just that people haven't realized the generational leap.

Since we have no shortage of Experts on this forum, can someone tell me the difference between Blk52 & Blk70 excluding the radar, engine, EW & CFT probe option.

 

[CrazyZ]

25 Block 72 cost Morocco $3.87 billion. That's about $155 mill each.

https://thedefensepost.com/2019/03/25/us-morocco-f-16-3-billion-sale/

There are also reports that Slovakia was pressured into selected the F-16.

 

[Kabotar]

I doubt they would have ever agreed to transfer their top of the line tech to India. Most likely they wanted India to buy F21 in knocked down kits with an assembly plant in india. They would never transfer their latest tech for the same reason they would never do so to Pakistan. They simply dont want their tech to be sold to china or russia in case relations go sour. US would have insisted on stringent control over the F16 fleet as they do with any other country around the globe. F16 deal with India was never a viable one considering India wants full TOT.

Nobody can give full TOT as most of these OEMs are only system integrators. Why would Raytheon or Leonardo will give their radar technology or GE will give their engine tech. If they couldn't get any tech by building 270+ MKIs from Russia forget getting any from US or Europe.

 

[CrazyZ]

Wish it could force us to buy 20-30 F 16s and upgrade all of our fleet to V standard

For the cost of 3 block 72...Pakistan can develop an in house 5th gen airframe. I see no reason to buy more F16.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

I doubt US would give access to engines and avionics so most likely just airframe manufacturing capacity at best.

Part of the airframe has to be imported as well. Countries that bought F-16 was often offered a share in all future production of F-16, and some components are designed and manufactured outside the US anyway, so India would have to negotiate with companies in

• Belgium
• The Netherlands
• Denmark
• Norway
• U.K.
• Germany
• Turkey
• South Korea
• Israel

etc. etc.

 

[Khafee]

25 Block 72 cost Morocco $3.87 billion. That's about $155 mill each.

https://thedefensepost.com/2019/03/25/us-morocco-f-16-3-billion-sale/

There are also reports that Slovakia was pressured into selected the F-16.

Did you remove the Sniper pods, the A2A, A2S missiles, spares, practice equipment, management systems, navigation equipment, support and integration and U.S. government and contractor engineering and logistical support services, to arrive at this figure?

Bahraini Order: US$70.284m per unit
https://thedefensepost.com/2018/06/23/lockheed-contract-bahrain-16-f-16-viper/

 

[Sully3]

F16 Blk70 is meant for countries that can't get, or afford the F35.



Not only THE best single engine, but in terms of tech, it gives a lot twin engines a run for their money.

oh thanks for the calrification, its for countries they dont want to sell f35 to.

as proven on the 27th feb when it drowned at su-30 MKI a twin engined jet.