A detailed look into LM’s F-16 offer to India

Let’s have a  detailed look into LM’s F16 Block 70 fighter jets offer to India

Lockheed Martin is offering the F-16 Block 70 in response to the IAF’s RFI for 110 fighter aircraft.

While the earlier F-16IN offered for the MMRCA contest was based on the Block 60, the Block 70 is an evolution of the Block 50 variant.

Airframe of F16 Block 70 fighter jets offer to India

The Block 70 airframe service life has been increased from 8,000 hours to 12,000 hours.

It’ll also get the ‘Uniform Have Glass’ paint-job that reduces RCS and maintenance costs.

The IAF also wants the jets to be able to carry Conformal Fuel Tanks, a Sniper targeting pod, and an IRST pod on them most of the times.

The airframe will retain the ‘receptacle’ for boom-refueling while also having the capability to be refueled via probe and drogue as well.

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Avionics of F16 Block 70 fighter jets offer to India

The Block 70 also features advancements in radar, mission computer, data transfer and display.

It’ll get an APG-83 SABR AESA which is air-cooled.

It can perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, electronic warfare, synthetic aperture radar maps, all at the same time.

The new mission computer is significantly faster than the old mission computers and they are connected via Ethernet into the airplane, replacing the older and slower 1553 buses.

The cockpit will have the large Center Pedestal Display.

Weaponry/Loadout of F16 Block 70 fighter jets offer to India

For air-ground missions, the aircraft can be configured with a centerline fuel tank and CFT, leaving the rest of the hardpoints for munitions and missiles without compromising on the range or payload.

The IAF has specifically asked for 600-gallon tanks apart from the normal 370-gallon wing tanks and 300-gallon centerline tanks.

For air-air missions, the F-16 Block 70 will have the ability to carry ten air-to-air missiles using triple rail launchers. Normally, the older generation F-16s carry 6 missiles.

Engine of F16 Block 70 fighter jets offer to India

The Block 70 will come with the more powerful F110-GE-132 engines, same as the Block 60, delivering 142 kN of thrust.

Specific improvements of F16 Block 70 fighter jets offer to India

The IAF has asked for improvements in auto-throttle and auto-pilot for ‘carefree’ handling capabilities.

The Block 7 will also come with the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System or Auto GCAS.

Credits – Saurabh Joshi//Stratpost

Must Read this Article too: India in seeks of 110 aircrafts under Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contract