F-16 Vipers?
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Is there possible to see an update on the near future of some F-16 Vipers? What are your thoughts?
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There already is one - the F-16V. And I think Greece was the first to buy in, if I recall…
Really slick idea, as upgrades go. Other than this, the “update” is called F-35. Dunno when the Viper will sunset, but it’s got to be getting close…
https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/qf-16-full-scale-aerial-target/
AFAIK, all QF-16s are A models.
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@Stevie I suspect Dimitris may be asking about F-16V in BMS?
This topic has raged before … I think the answer is/was, that the radar and avionics are sufficiently different, it would need a lot of work, with a lot of assumptions about classified capabilities. And it would be out of place in most theaters, without developing more peer-era aircraft and AD systems.
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@Dimitris-Marinis I’m indifferent.
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@airtex2019 - yeah…last impression I got was that the devs are just plain scared of modeling an AESA radar…when in actuality it’s just another radar, and the model doesn’t have to be exact to RL, it only has to behave like RL. Also probably not enough information out there presently, but it’s not worth just dismissing the idea.
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Correction : it just waits for a crazy coder to make it.
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End of F-16 - could be 2040s (USAF only)
https://www.spangdahlem.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3150297/52nd-fw-jets-first-active-duty-f-16s-to-receive-aesa-radars/
The F-16 is programmed to be in the Air Force through the mid-2040’s. It will continue to be a workhorse for the Air Force because it has the numbers that the Air Force needs. Along with numbers, you need to have capability.”https://www.flightglobal.com/air-force-authorises-extended-life-for-f-16/123697.article
*The USAF authorized extending the F-16’s service life from its original 8,000 flight hours to 12,000 flight hours, a 12 April Lockheed release states. After performing SLEP modifications, the service will be able to operate the Block 40 through 52 aircraft beyond 2048, according to Lockheed.
QF-16s are a mix of Block 15 / 25 / 30
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@Migbuster - yeah, I could see that given what is also happening with F/A-18A-D upgrades with some operators. Problem is that new jets just plain cost too much (I’ve heard you can buy six Super Hornets for the cost of one F-35)…and in any event, you fight with what you HAVE, not what you wish you had.