MigBuster 2,884 Posted February 15, 2012 Okay - upgraded F-16 unveiled Lockheed Martin announces new F-16V at Singapore Air Show Lockheed Martin unveiled a new version of the F-16, which will include an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, upgraded mission computer and improvements to the cockpit. The "V" designation is derived from Viper, the name fighter pilots have called the F-16 from its beginnings. During a presentation at the Singapore Airshow, George Standridge, vice-president of business development at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics noted that most legacy F-16s can be upgraded to the F-16V standard, which is roughly equivalent to the F-16 block 60. 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 F-16V is intended to satisfy customers' emerging needs and prepare them to better interoperate with fifth generation fighters such as the F-35 and F-22. As for V upgrades, Standridge mentioned South Korea's requirement to upgrade F-16s and the U.S. Air Force's interest in upgrading 300-350 F-16s. from http://www.f-16.net/news_article4521.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+GrinchWSLG 24 Posted February 16, 2012 Get to work Dave. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+SkateZilla 49 Posted February 16, 2012 yes!, another dagger in the F-22's Back.. lol... j/k... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SFP1Ace 33 Posted February 16, 2012 perhaps in F-35's back? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FastCargo 412 Posted February 17, 2012 Ya know, I'll bet no one thought when they first designed the F-16 in the mid-70s as a LWF that they would STILL be coming out with new models almost 35+ years later... FC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted February 17, 2012 I wonder if anyone ever did one of those "lifetime cost" estimates for the F-16 that seems all the rage now? All they want to talk about for the F-35 is how much will have been spent by the day we retire the last one...assuming that happens when they say it will. The F-22 was like the B-2 where they had a set number to build and then they shut down the line, no hope of buying more even though it would've been cost-effective. But no, we have to redirect the funding to the F-35, because that's important. *money goes to F-35* Oh no! Look how much money the F-35 is taking!! Blah blah blah. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
