Pakistan F-16 Discussions 2

[fatman17]

10 Apr 1992
First Pakistani aircraft: F-16A (#90-943) and F-16B (#90-948) arrive at AMARC under designations AAFG0001 & AAFG0002. They are the first of 28 Peace Gate III & IV aircraft to be embargoed.

 

[umair86]

More F-16 MLU from RNLAF might be up for sale

Netherlands makes final trim to F-16 fleet size

 

[mosu]

Are Kill Switches on Pakistani F-16s Possible?


The discussion about kill switches existing or not in Pakistani F-16s is a critical issue since Pakistan cannot afford to find its planes of no worth in case of war. Further, another issue is whether in such a mode these F-16s may be able to infect other data linked platforms. We have only recently observed how the Stuxnet virus infected the Iranian reactors. We also observed how Syrian radars could not observe the Israeli planes that attacked Syria’s supposed nuclear facilities. There have been concerns raised that this may have been a form of new EW systems that are closer to computer viruses in that they exploit the software of the radars.

Pakistan’s C4I could be compromised if these F-16s or other US equipment are found to be Trojan horses or less identifiably, entry points for such attacks.
We open the discussion with analysis that the discussion of kill switches in Pakistani F-16s may be one that is politically motivated. The purpose behind this is described as American attempts to sell their weapons, particularly combat jets, to India.

Pentagon’s “Non Lethal Weapons Directorate” has only recently begun sending RFPs for such technologies. The proposed technology would allow aircraft to be safely diverted or prevented from taking off. The respected Pakdef member confirms his analysis through a conversation with a former Lockheed Martin colleague. This reviewer notes that such RFPs are mainly targeted for general purposes. Public and open RFPs are needed to make this technology acceptable for FAA purposes. Embedding such technologies in foreign military sales would not be related to such RFPs, but rather be black projects unknown to the public and not shareable with individuals considered attached to foreign militaries.
evidence of tampering with aircraft sold by the United States to foreign countries. He notes that even a close ally such is Australia, has had issues with technical limitations programmed into them. notes that Australia has had a problem with BVR weapons capabilities. Australia overcame their limitations by hacking into the system, an issue on which they do no see eye-to-eye with their American counterparts on.

example of Malaysia’s F/A-18s and notes issues with accuracy [perhaps discussing targeting systems]. This author also notes that Malaysian F/A-18 pilots found, to their surprise, that they cannot designate way-points on Singapore. Malaysia is unlikely to be a customer of US military aircraft.
Another point raised is that Indonesian Su-27s had mysterious glitches that would suddenly indicate that the planes were under attack. doubts that this was merely a software error.also notes that it is not possible to go through everything as such planes are extremely complex machines with million of lines of codes. A thorough review would be expensive, time consuming and by and large, beyond the reach of a customer.

Also talks about how a Chinese purchase of a Boeing aircraft was bugged by the CIA. He asks us to ponder upon why the JSF has only black boxes that need to be returned to the USA with everything produced and maintained by US companies. Essentially, Americans can best be understood in a Machiavellian light. They cannot be trusted and cannot be relied upon in any way.

i believethat F-16 can be compromised using its satellite receiver. This is located on the spine of the aircraft. Any party that controls the GPS transmission can scramble anything it wants into the aircraft’s receiver. This can simple be a passive activation of a hidden trigger. He notes that this has implications not only for the aircraft, but also for the air force. He gives the example of Israel’s attack on the Syrian supposed nuclear site. i wonders allowed what could happen if the Indians receive such EW devices which could not only impact the F-16s, but could impact the entire C4I through these Trojan horses.

The respected Pakdef member notes that such details and information is not likely to be confirmed or rejected in a manner than can be considered reliable because of the conflict of interest. He notes that such kill switches, judging by past US policy, is in their interest.

 

[TOPGUN]

There is no kill switches stop the bs plzzz come back to reailty from outer space .... PAF know what it's doing .

 

[Dazzler]

kill switch saga was killed a long time ago. There is no such thing in our F-16s and it was just a myth created on purpose.

 

[VCheng]

Like Chogy and I agreed to say some time ago: all technologies on the F-16s are supplied under mutually accepted and legally binding agreements and capabilities, and will not say anything else here.

 

[RazPaK]

kill switch saga was killed a long time ago. There is no such thing in our F-16s and it was just a myth created on purpose.

A myth?


I remember reading about the Turks finding something in a wreck of one of their F-16's??

 

[fatman17]

A myth?


I remember reading about the Turks finding something in a wreck of one of their F-16's??

oh god - not again!!!

 

[Last Hope]

F-16s owned by Pakistan Air Force haven't got any kill switches, but the strings and restrictions are good enough for them.
PAF F-16s have been used against India, Afghanistan and USSR. The first is our biggest concern though.

And from kill switches you mean to say that they have inserted them so that PAF doesn't use them against US or their allies, then here is the answer to that:
Link

 

[Jango]

I had a long long discussion with a PAF officer about this myth, and got a good understanding of the fact that......it is BS!!!!

 

[VCheng]

I had a long long discussion with a PAF officer about this myth, and got a good understanding of the fact that......it is BS!!!!

A PAF officer who understands millions of lines of software code running an F-16? "Good" understanding is a relative term, I would think.

 

[nomi007]

F-16 Production Finally Winds Down
April 13, 2012: Production of the American F-16 fighter has hit 4,500. For the last decade, nearly all new F-16s have gone to the export market. Thus F-16 number 4,500 is headed for Morocco, as has about half of all F-16 production. Nearly 80 percent of all F-16s were manufactured at one plant in Texas, with the rest built overseas in several locations, largely from American made parts. About 68 percent of all F-16s built are still in use.

Many nations are planning to retire their F-16s and replace them with F-35s, which will begin arriving before the end of the decade. There is already a very active market for used F-16s (as a result of the Cold War ending in 1991 and much subsequent disarmament). Because of all this, F-16 production will probably cease in four or five years. Currently there are only 70 on order. Entering service in 1978, the F-16 will probably end up remaining in service 40 years and possibly 50 years.

The U.S. F-16 is also one of the most modified jet fighters in service. While most are still called the F-16C, there are actually six major mods, identified by block number (32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. The other special version (the Block 60), for the UAE, is called the F-16E. The various block mods included a large variety of new components (five engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit, and electrical mods.) The F-16 is the most numerous post-Cold War jet fighter, with at least 4,570 built or on order. During The Cold War, Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s, but since 1991, warplane manufacturing has plummeted about 90 percent. The F-16 was one of the few Cold War era fighters to buck that trend.
Procurement: F-16 Production Finally Winds Down

 

[fatman17]

F-16 Production Finally Winds Down
April 13, 2012: Production of the American F-16 fighter has hit 4,500. For the last decade, nearly all new F-16s have gone to the export market. Thus F-16 number 4,500 is headed for Morocco, as has about half of all F-16 production. Nearly 80 percent of all F-16s were manufactured at one plant in Texas, with the rest built overseas in several locations, largely from American made parts. About 68 percent of all F-16s built are still in use.

Many nations are planning to retire their F-16s and replace them with F-35s, which will begin arriving before the end of the decade. There is already a very active market for used F-16s (as a result of the Cold War ending in 1991 and much subsequent disarmament). Because of all this, F-16 production will probably cease in four or five years. Currently there are only 70 on order. Entering service in 1978, the F-16 will probably end up remaining in service 40 years and possibly 50 years.

The U.S. F-16 is also one of the most modified jet fighters in service. While most are still called the F-16C, there are actually six major mods, identified by block number (32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. The other special version (the Block 60), for the UAE, is called the F-16E. The various block mods included a large variety of new components (five engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit, and electrical mods.) The F-16 is the most numerous post-Cold War jet fighter, with at least 4,570 built or on order. During The Cold War, Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s, but since 1991, warplane manufacturing has plummeted about 90 percent. The F-16 was one of the few Cold War era fighters to buck that trend.
Procurement: F-16 Production Finally Winds Down

it will continue as they have orders from Iraq (36), Indonesia(12) and maybe 14 from Pakistan. yes they dont have a huge back-log.

 

[nomi007]

it will continue as they have orders from Iraq (36), Indonesia(12) and maybe 14 from Pakistan. yes they dont have a huge back-log.

i hope next time paf try to get some technology also for spare parts manufacturing

 

[nomi007]

A new concept, developed by FAR Technologies can apply to various military aircraft, fighters and trainers, adapting existing fuel tanks to be carried under weapon stations. Under the patent pending design, an installation of fuel lines, flowing fuel from the outboard weapon stations (3 and 7 on the F-16) to fuel tanks pylons, (stations 4 and 6 on the F-16). In Israel, IAI/Lahav is promoting the implementation on the F-16 and is working on the necessary adaptations. The installation can be applied in only two hours, and enable the Falcon to carry a total of up to five external fuel tanks, reduce the need of air refueling, extend ferry range by 40% and add 25% to the mission radius (on attack and reconnaissance missions, for example), and up to doubling endurance on combat air patrol missions.

Israel's IMI is also offering a higher capacity external fuel tanks (600 Gallon) for the F16, which can significantly extend the F-16 range, These tanks can replace the 370 gallon tanks or carried in addition to other tanks, especially on long haul ferry missions. However, the 600 Gal version cannot be dropped when the aircraft enters a dogfight and therefore, can be carried when the aircraft is armed for all aspect combat (when maneuvering relative to the target is not required), or maintained in relatively safe flight pattern (such as various mission support roles) or being escorted by other fighters.

Extending the F-16 range