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Lockheed Martin F-16V (Viper)

2017 4TH GENERATION MODERN AIRCRAFT

The History of the Lockheed Martin F-16V (Viper)

The Lockheed F-16V Viper is the ultimate incarnation of the legendary Fighting Falcon light multirole fighter family. Unveiled by Lockheed Martin at the 2012 Singapore Air Show, the aircraft is promised for current Fighting Falcon operators (by directly upgrading existing in-service airframes) as well as those looking to fly from older fourth-generation fighter jets (The Soviet Union). Era's MiG-29 Fulcrum is the main target of such sales efforts).

The "V" in the name gave the new brand the nickname "Viper".

The F-16V made its first test flight on October 21, 2015.

The aircraft is equipped with an AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar in the nose and a state-of-the-art/fully digital mission computer integrated in the redesigned cockpit. Ground collision avoidance is provided by automated systems, and the fighter carries a new electronic warfare (EW) suite as part of its advanced design.

The overall form and function of this multi-role aircraft remain unchanged, with its single-seat, single-engine layout and excellent ordnance carrying capacity (mainly missiles and rockets with internal cannons designed for close range work).

To date (2019), Viper operators include Bahrain (buy), Greece, Slovakia (commit) and Taiwan (upgrade and buy). Bahrain ordered 16 new build Vipers (block 70/72). The Block 70/72 is a modern Fighting Falcon design that brings up to 50% longer life to the series.

The Greek Air Force upgrade includes a direct partnership with Lockheed to cover multiple aircraft types and bring work to Greece itself. The upgrade of the Taiwanese fleet began in January 2017 and now includes a request to purchase 66 additional Viper units.

The F-16V was also renamed "F-21" and may be sold to India to meet continued demand. This entry is described in detail elsewhere on this site.

The original Fighting Falcon form came online in 1978 and over 4,600 have been built to date (2019) (over 3,000 in service), making it one of the true success stories of the Cold War (1947-1991). There are more than 25 operators, including the United States Air Force (USAF), Israel and several European powers. The former General Dynamics product now falls under the Lockheed Martin brand label.

Lockheed intends to keep the F-16 family alive through 2070 through various planned initiatives.

Specification

Basic

Year:

2017

Status:

active, on duty

Staff:

Production

[100 units]:

Lockheed Martin - USA

Roles

- Fighter

Dimensions

Length:

49.21 ft (15 m)

Width:

9.45m

Height:

16.73 ft (5.1 m)

Weight

Curb Weight:

10,000 kg

MTOW:

48,006 lb (21,775 kg)

(difference: +25,959 pt)

Performance

1 x General Electric GE F110-GE Afterburner Turbofan rated at 32,500 lbs thrust.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

917 mph (1,475 km/h; 796 knots)

Service Limit:

49,213 ft (15,000 m; 9.32 mi)

Maximum range:

2,619 miles (4,215 km; 2,276 nautical miles)

Rate of climb:

50,000 ft/min (15,240 m/min)

Armor

Standard, Fixed:

1 x 20mm M61A1 Vulcan Internal Gatling Gun.

Optional:

A total of 11 external hardpoints (2 wingtips; 3 fuselage; 6 underwings) for carrying different types of artillery (wingtip mounts reserved for Sidewinder or AMRAAM air-to-air missiles). Up to 17,000 lbs.

Supported ordnance includes short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles, laser-guided/precision-guided bombs, conventional bombs, and rocket pods.