Metal to counter – the pieces of the Fleet series

Viper!, the F-16 story as told in the Fleet series

A very successful fighter by any measure, the F-16 features in all the games of the series.
The original light fighter evolved over time into a powerful all weather interdiction aircraft,
and this is reflected in the series.

None of the write ups are mine, they are quoted from http://www.f-16.net/ and
http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/f16.html

1. The light fighter

The F-16A/B was the first production version of the Fighting Falcon, the A being the
single-seat version and the B being the two-seat version. Aside from the second
seat, the A and B versions are essentially identical and have the same performance
envelope and armament fit.

The early versions of the F-16 Fighting Falcon were equipped with a comprehensive
avionics suite, involving an AN/APG-66 pulse-Doppler fire-control radar, Inertial
Navigation System, UHV/VHF communications suite, ILS, TACAN, AN/ALR-69 RWR,
HUD and a central air data computer. The F-16A/B was initially powered by the
F100-PW-200 turbofan. Air to air armament was initially limited to a maximum of 6
AIM-9 Sidewinders and air to ground to bombs and rockets.

On June 7, 1975, armed with the assurance of a USAF commitment to the type,
Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway announced that they had agreed to
acquire the F-16 as a replacement for the F-104G. A total of 348 were in the initial
production contract (116 for Belgium, 58 for Denmark, 102 for the Netherlands, and
72 for Norway). Initially, there was some criticism of the F-16's lack of BVR and all-
weather capability, as well as some concern about the performance problems that
the F100 engine was encountering at the time.

The Norwegian F-16s have an important anti-shipping role, and can also carry and
launch the locally-built Kongsberg Penguin 3 anti-ship missile. Deliveries of the
Penguin 3 began in 1987, and these missiles are carried by the F-16s of Skvadron
334.
Block 15 introduced modifications that were already effective on the F-16C/D
production. The changes expanded the F-16s growth potential by allowing improved
capabilities in the air-to-ground and BVR missions.

One major modification was the addition of two hardpoints to the chin of the inlet. To
offset the shift in center of gravity caused by the weight of these two additional
hardpoints (and eventual stores attached to them), the extended horizontal
stabilator (the so-called "big tail", 30% increase in area), was fitted. The new tail
also provided better stability and more authority for out-of-control situations. It
changed lift-off rotation speeds and allowed stable flight at higher angles of attack.

The AN/APG-66 radar on the Block 15 Fighting Falcons was provided with an early
version of a track-while-scan mode for greater air defense capability. The F-16s were
also equipped with Have Quick I secure UHF radios, and internal provisions for the
AIM-7 were made. Additional structural strengthening was performed to allow an
extra 1000 pounds of ordnance to be carried on the underwing points. Last but not
least, pilot comfort was enhanced by improving the cockpit air conditioning.

214 aircraft from Block 15Y onwards received upgraded systems starting late-1987.
Designated Block 15OCU (Operational Capability Upgrade), these aircraft are
powered by the more reliable F100-PW-220 turbofan. These aircraft also have
structural strengthening and are provided with the enlarged HUD that was first
introduced on the F-16C/D. Also incorporated are the capability to fire the Norwegian
Penguin Mk.3 anti-shipping missile (built by Kongsberg, US designation AGM-119)
and the AGM-65, provisions for the AIM-120 AMRAAM, and improved avionics and
defensive aids. The first Block 15OCU was delivered in January 1988, and from 1988
onwards, all Block 15's were built to OCU specifications.

Following the disbandment of the USAF Air Defense Command, the ANG was
assigned the mission of providing the primary aerial defense of North America
against bombers and cruise missiles. In October of 1986, it was announced that 275
airframes in the F-16A/B Block 15 series would be converted as air defense fighters
for use by the Air National Guard.

The modified planes were to be provided with HF radios and improved APG-66 radar
that was compatible with the AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided
missiles. The first rebuilt F-16A/B Block 15 ADF aircraft was delivered in early 1989.
On July 11, 2000, approval was granted by the Thai government for the purchase of
16 surplus USAF Block 15 ADF fighters. Deliveries began early in 2002.
 In order to maintain the same level of effectiveness for the F-16 fleet, an extensive
modernization program was developed, which came to be known as the Mid-Life
Update, or MLU.

In the mid-80s, faced with an improving Soviet threat, numerous European F-16A/B
Block 15 aircraft were scheduled to go through a Mid-Life Update (MLU) program.

The MLU program was designed to bring the Block 15 aircraft up to the standards of
the Block 50/52 F-16C/D, in particular to give them the capability of carrying and
launching BVR weapons such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, together with the ability to
carry out precision weapons delivery missions at night and in adverse weather. The
international MLU agreement was signed on May 3, 1991, with the USA, Belgium,
Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway all being participants.

The USA had originally planned to upgrade some of its F-16A/Bs as part of the MLU
program, but because of the end of the Cold War and the general reduction in the US
fighter force, it withdrew from the program in 1992, but agreed to continue to
support the MLU and to carry out test flying for development.

The 150 F-16A/B Block 15OCU's for Taiwan are built to MLU standards and are
designated Block 20.

Those F-16A/B receiving the MLU were re-designated F-16AM/BM. In 2001, Portugal
announced that it also was considering upgrading its F-16s with MLU, and some of
these were then sold to Romania. In 2005 Jordan joined the program, and in 2010
Pakistan also signed up. In recent years, Chile, Jordan, and Pakistan have purchased
surplus Dutch and Belgian F-16AM/BM aircraft.

2. Improving the breed

The implementation of the MSIP Stage II changes in the F-16 production line
resulted in the second generation of F-16 aircraft. Starting with Block 25, the F-16C
and F-16D (as the one-seat and two-seat variants were designated) featured several
improvements:

1) Westinghouse AN/APG-68(V) radar, offering increased range, expanded

operating modes, improved ECCM capability and sharper resolution. The
AN/APG-68(V) is a considerable advancement over the APG-66 of the F-16A/B.
2) Glass cockpit, featuring two MFD's and a wide-angle holographic HUD, up-front
controls, FLIR video and a mission data transfer unit.
3) Increased capacity environmental control and electrical power systems.
4) MIL STD-1760 data bus/weapons interface allowing the use of AGM-65D
Maverick and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
5) Improved fire control computer
6) Improved stores management computer
7) USAF-standard inertial navigation system (INS)
8) Radar altimeter
9) Anti-jam UHF radio

They improved the Falcon's capability for BVR-engagements and nighttime/precision

ground attack missions. The F-16A's deficiencies in these mission profiles had been
particularly obvious in operations over Europe, where the weather is generally bad
much of the time.

Unhappy with the accident rate due to stagnation stalls in both the F-15 and F-16, in
1979, the USAF placed a contract with General Electric to develop an alternative
engine for both fighters. This engine was ultimately to emerge as the F110.

In order to remain competitive, Pratt and Whitney continued to work on

improvements to their F100 engine. Nevertheless, even after several years of work
on the part of Pratt & Whitney, the Air Force was still unhappy with the rate at which
stagnation stalls were occurring, and in early 1984 the Air Force officially launched
an Alternative Fighter Engine (AFE) program to look for an alternative engine for
both the F-15 and the F-16.

The first F-16 version to accommodate both engines was the Block 30/32
(sometimes known as MSIP Stage III), with Block 32 aircraft having the Pratt &
Whitney F100 and Block 30 having the General Electric F-110.

Block 30/32 also introduced the capability of carrying and launching the AGM-45
Shrike anti-radiation missile, the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile, and the Hughes
AGM-65D Maverick air-to surface missile, the AN/ALE-40 radar warning receiver and
the ALE-47 chaff/flare dispensor.

Full level IV multi-target capability for the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile was added in
the spring of 1987, while in August, provisions to fire the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-
88 HARM were made, together with installation of a voice message unit and crash-
survivable flight data recorder.
3. The multi-role, all weather warrior

The next major production block (Block 40/42), sometimes known as the "Night
Falcon" because of its enhanced night/all-weather capabilities, appeared in 1989. It
was unofficially designated F-16CG/DG.

The first Block 40/42 F-16 rolled out of the Fort Worth facility in December 1988, and
was delivered during the same month. Production ended temporarily in 1995, and
will restart again in 1999 to build a 21-aircraft order for Egypt.

Block 40/42 introduced the LANTIRN navigation and targeting pods and the
associated holographic HUD, GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation receiver,
APG-68V(5) radar (with improved reliability), digital flight controls (replacing the old
analog ones), automatic terrain following, and other improvements.

Provisions for the AGM-88 HARM II were added in 1989. The precision weapons
incorporated by the Block 40/42 include the GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-24 Paveway
family of laser-guided bombs as well as the GBU-15 glide bomb. Some foreign
versions of the aircraft can carry the AIM-7 Sparrow missile.

The Block 42 F-16C/D weighed over 3000 pounds more than the earlier F-16A/B, but
had approximately the same engine thrust. In addition, the Block 40/42 was
expected to carry much heavier and bulkier loads, which called for much more
engine power, especially at low altitudes. More engine power was clearly required.

In support of this requirement, the USAF launched a project known as Increased

Performance Engine (IPE) to develop more powerful versions of both the F100 and
F110. The first Block 50 F-16 flew for the first time on October 22, 1991.
 The Block 50/52 carries the Westinghouse APG-68(V5) radar, which has a high-
speed integrated circuit signal processor which makes the unit twice as fast as the
radar of the Block 40/42. In additional, the radar is considerably more reliable than
the earlier unit. The cockpit also includes 2 monochrome MFD's (soon to be replaced
by the MLU's color displays) and a FOV HUD.

The Block 50's have the capability to fire the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the AGM-65G
Maverick missile and the PGU-28/B 200mm cannon round. The Block 50/52 is
capable of carrying the new JDAM munition, the AGM-154A/B JSOW and is the first
F-16 version to integrate the AGM-84 Harpoon antishipping missile. The aircraft can
launch the Harpoon in line-of-sight, bearing-only, and range/bearing modes. The
addition of the Harpoon gives the F-16 a significant standoff range anti-shipping
capability, especially when combined with optional 600-gallon fuel tanks.

The Block 50/52 is also capable of carrying the Raytheon AGM-88B HARM anti-
radiation missile and also introduces the Texas Instruments AN/ASQ-213 HARM
Targeting System pod which enables the F-16 to locate and identify enemy emitters,
which makes it possible for the aircraft to operate as an independent Wild Weasel
SEAD aircraft. Although the Block 30 F-16C could carry the HARM as well, these
aircraft lacked the electronics and the load carrying ability to fully exploit the
weapon. The USAF has unofficially adopted the designation F-16CJ for the HARM-
capable Block 50/52 F-16C.

Block 50/52 F-16s are not LANTIRN-capable, and they have the old-style Block 30
heads-up display.

4. The long range interdictor

The Block 50/52 Plus is a version which has special provisions for the adverse
weather delivery of the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a low-cost
guidance kit that converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided
"smart" weapons. The JDAM kit consists of a new tail section that contains an inertial
navigation system/global positioning system (INS/GPS) and body strakes for
additional stability and lift. Bombs can be accurately delivered in any weather
conditions and be launched at a great distance from the target, and the navigation
system can be relied on to update the weapon all the way to impact.
 Other updates include passive missile warning, terrain-referenced navigation, and
provisions for the 600 US gal (2,271 litre) external fuel tanks and conformal fuel
tanks.

The latest APG-68(V)9 radar features significant improvements in detection range,

resolution, growth potential, and supportability. Furthermore, application of
advanced processing techniques enhances the radar's ability to operate in dense
electromagnetic environments and resist jamming better than all previous models.

The V(9) version of the AN/APG-68 radar provides both improved air-to-air
capabilities and air-to-ground capabilities. These include:

- 30 percent increase in detection range;

- Improvements in false alarm rate and mutual interference;
- Four versus two tracked targets in the Situation Awareness mode (a search-while-
track mode);
- Larger search volume and improved track performance in Track While Scan mode;
- Improved track performance in Single Target Track mode;
- Two-foot resolution in new Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mode, which allows
autonomous delivery of precision, all-weather, standoff weapons;
- Increased detection range in Sea Surveillance mode;
- Improved target detection and map quality in Ground Moving Target Indication
mode.

In general, this radar offers a 5X increase in processing speed and 10X increase in
memory compared to the current AN/APG-68 radar and provides large growth
potential.

On January 14, 2000, the government of Israel signed a contract with Lockheed
Martin for the delivery of 50 F-16I aircraft under the Peace Marble V FMS program.
The F-16I is a multi-role version of the F-16 built specifically to Israeli requirements,
and will be built to Block 52 standards and will have a Northrop AN/APG-68(V)X fire-
control radar and will be compatible with the LANTIRN system. The F-16I is known as
the Suefa (Storm) in IDF/AF service. Deliveries of these aircraft took place between
2004 and 2009.

IDF/AF Fighting Falcons are fitted with the Rafael Litening infrared targeting and
navigational pod. The first F-16Is were delivered to the IDF/AF in February of 2004.

The Block 60 F-16 represents an evolutionary step ahead of the current block 50
aircraft but features an enormous amount of new capabilities.

The Fighting Falcon Block 60's range is extended with addition of fuselage mounted
conformal fuel tanks and wing tanks, similar to the F-16ES and Block 50/52 Plus.

The Northrop Grumman AN/ASQ-28 IFTS (Internal FLIR and Targeting System)
replaces the pods in earlier aircraft. With state-of-the art components and packaging
technology, the Internal FLIR Targeting System (IFTS) incorporates an advanced
multi-functional FLIR/laser system into the F-16 nose to improve lethality and
survivability with lower weight and drag and a laser targeting pod mounted
underneath the fuselage. The elimination of bulky pods also enhances stealthiness.
Thirdly, there is an integrated electronic warfare suite with the Northrop Grumman
'Falcon Edge' internal electronic countermeasures system, the Northrop Grumman
AN/APG-80 "Agile Beam Radar" with AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array), an
electronic warfare management system, fiber-optic avionics data bus and up to eight
chaff/flare dispensers, as well as advanced friend or foe. The aircraft's advanced
avionics suite has room available for future improvements.

The Block 60 F-16 retains the full armament capability of the Block 50's and adds
several new capabilities. The Block 60's basic design and weapon interfaces are
compatible with projected future weapons including new air-to-air missiles such as
the AIM-132 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM). The aircraft will also
support all-weather standoff weapons, such as the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon
(JSOW), and AGM-84E Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM).