The F-16 in its Block 70 Avatar

Much more than meets the eye.

- Air Marshal VK Jimmy Bhatia (Retd)

IN RESPONSE to the IAF’s (Indian Air Force) quest for rebuild ing its ever dwindling combat aircraft force levels, US Lockheed Martin has joined other western manufacturers of combat aircraft with its lucrative bid of F-16 Block 70(or F-16IN for India) multi-role fighter.

In its various presentations to the IAF, the MOD and even a select group from the Indian Media, Lockheed Martin team has briefed them on how the latest Block 70 model of its iconic fighter has evolved into an incredible 4th generation + multi-role fighter having incorporated many 5th generation attributes from the Company’s first and the only fully operational true blood F-22 Raptor and the still evolving F-35 JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) 5th generation fighters.

So, what’s new in the latest model of the F-16 which has moved from being called the ‘Fighting Falcon’ to having earned the latest sobriquet of ‘Super Viper’, notwithstanding the fact that with its conformal fuel tanks-configuration, its frontal view on the tarmac reminds one of a lethal spider, ready to pounce on its prey?

The F-16 detractors’ never-ending assertion of it being an old airframe design is successfully countered by the Lockheed Team as to how the F-16V upgrade and the new production Block 70 with their next generation technology insertions not only makes it the most advanced fourth generation fighters but it also leverage a common worldwide sustainment infrastructure which support more than 2,000 in-service aircraft.

The ability of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to incorporate the latest technologies into the F-16IN is the key to expanding mission roles and improving combat capability, therefore creating a very effective multi-role fighter. The F-16IN is and continue to be readily equipped with futuristic capabilities throughout its lifecycle making it the ultimate fourth generation fighter with all it brings to the battlefield.