ISLAMABAD – The F-16 Fighting Falcon ‘Viper’ is one of the iconicfourth-generation fighter jets which is in service not only with the UnitedState of America Air Force but is also flying in 28 other countries. Thefirst single-engine supersonic multirole F-16 flew on January 20, 1974, andsince then has seen combat in several parts of the world.
The F-16 is also one of the most versatile fighters and has undergoneseveral changes over the last four decades to remain one of the workhorsesof many air forces even now. Over 4,500 F-16 have been produced till date.
Lockheed newest, most advanced and powerful version of the fighter is theF-16V Block 70. The F-16V Block 70 has several structural and capabilityupgrades and is fitted with the APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array(AESA) radar with a new avionics architecture.
The Block 70 software further enhances capabilities through anadvanced datalink, precision GPS navigation, SNIPER Targeting Pod, AdvancedWeapons and Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System.
The aircraft is 15.027 metres long, 5.09 m high and has a wingspan of 9.449m. Its top speed is 2,414 kilometres per hour (over Mach 2). Capable ofhandling a gravitational force of 9 G, the F-16’s empty weight is9,207 kilogrammes while its engine thrust class is 13,000 kg. Its maximumtakeoff weight is 21,772 kg.
The F-16V Block 70 has Center Pedestal Display (CPD) to provide tacticalimagery to pilots on a high-resolution 6”x 8” screen which ensures fulladvantage of AESA and targeting pod data. The CPD is also compatible withthe Night Vision Imaging System. Its Automatic Ground Collision AvoidanceSystem (Auto GCAS) can prevent crashes and save the lives of pilots.
With a combat range of 4,220 km, the F-16 has nine hardpoints for carryingweapons. There is one at each wingtip, three under each wing while one isunder the fuselage. The F-16 also has a 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon for closerange combat.