Lockheed Martin photo by Randy Crites. Lockheed Martin has successfully completed the maiden flight of the F-16V fighter, the latest e...
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| Lockheed Martin photo by Randy Crites. |
Lockheed Martin has successfully completed the maiden flight of the F-16V fighter, the latest evolution of the fourth generation F-16 featuring an advanced AESA radar.
The flight was carried out on October 16, from Lockheed's Forth Worth production facility in Texas.
The F-16V is equipped with Northrop Grumman’s advanced APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), which will deliver a quantum leap in capability for the venerable F-16.
The F-16V “Viper” advanced avionics configuration also includes a new cockpit Center Pedestal Display, a modernized mission computer, a high-capacity Ethernet data bus, and several other missions systems enhancements that collectively add significant combat capabilities to address the dynamic threat environments emerging in the coming decades.
The F-16V upgrade is available for new orders and also as a retrofit for existing customers.
Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 SABR AESA fire control radar incorporates 5th Generation air-to-air and air-to-ground radar capability developed for the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
The F-16 has one of the longest production run for a fighter aircraft, with 4,550 F-16s delivered to date, since maiden flight in 1974. Lockheed continuously upgraded the fighter to make the 40 year old design stay relevant.
Taiwan is the launch customer for the type, upgrading 144 of its F-16 A/B variants. Indonesia is an potential export customer for the type.
