Lockheed Martin has received a massive $1.12 billion contract from the U.S. government to produce 16 advanced F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcons for Bahrain.

The Block 70 version of the F-16 is a capable warplane by any measure and draws much of its technology from its more advanced F-35 stablemate.

At the core of the F-16 Block 70 is the Northrop Grumman APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar , which is based on technology leveraged from the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 and can track more than 20 targets simultaneously.

The radar can also generate 1ft resolution synthetic aperture radar maps and has a range greater than 160 nautical miles against ground targets.

The jet also has a new state of the art electronic warfare system.

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The Block 70 jet features a modernized cockpit with a new Center Pedestal Display (CPD) that provides tactical imagery on a high-resolution 6”x 8” screen. The new display will allow pilots to take full advantage of Block 70’s new sensors.

The cockpit also has provisions for the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System II (JHMCS II) display, which lets pilot take full advantage of the Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder. Further, a new automatic ground collision avoidance system helps to prevent pilots from crashing the aircraft.

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The F-16V has an upgraded airframe with an extended structural service life of 12,000 hours and can carry conformal fuel tanks.

To push the aircraft around the sky, Lockheed says that the new Block 70 jet features an “advanced engine.” While Lockheed Martin did not specify which engine, given the Block 70 designation, the aircraft will most likely be powered by a General Electric F110-GE-132 rated at 32,500 lbf (144 kN) of afterburning thrust.

Lockheed Martin also boasts about the F-16V’s capability to carry a vast arsenal of weapons.

Article source: National Interest