Neo

Again no info about what block these birds will be

Srirangan

US to sell 77 'acquired' F-16s to Pakistan: Karamat
URL: http://www.india-defence.com/reports/474
Date: 2/10/2005
Agency: Press Trust of India

Pakistan will buy 77 F-16 jets from the US -- which Washington would acquire from a third country -- for its Air Force after they are fitted with the state-of-the-art equipment, Islamabad's Ambassador to America Gen (Retd) Jehangir Karamat, said.

The F-16s would be acquired from a third country but the supply would be made by the US, Karamat was quoted as saying by the local daily 'The News' but the paper did not specify whether Washington was procuring used aircraft.

The upgradation and installation of equipment would be carried out by the manufacturer in the US and all the aircraft would be fitted with the sate-of-the-art equipment to meet Pakistan's requirements, he said.

Karamat said the American Government has already approved the F-16 deal with Pakistan and it would come for discussion before the US Congress in October and November.

He said besides approving the F-16 deal with Pakistan, the US would provide it 20 state-of-the-art Cobra helicopters.

Apparently allaying apprehensions over the quality of the planes as they were being "acquired" from other countries, he said there is no question about the quality and lifespan of the jets as they would be "first rate by all standards."

Pakistan had last year sought the F-16 models capable of firing medium-range air-to-air Beyond Visual Ranger (BVR), AMRAAM Missiles, which have the ability to hit a target beyond 60 km range.

Billed as fire and forget category, BVRs were considered to be most advanced missiles which Pakistan Air Force (PAF) so far did not have. Last year, the US had initially proposed to sell 24 F-16s, each costing around 40 million dollars.

As per the delivery schedule, Karamat said Pakistan would be given two F-16s by December followed by supply of 20 in next year and the rest of 55 in 2007.

The PAF, which has about 30 F-16s acquired in 1980s, is currently modernising its aged fleet by buying used French-made Mirages as well as jointly producing F-7 Thunder with China. PAF has also already procured several Mirage fighters from Libya.

About President George W Bush's plans to visit the region, Karamat said indications are that the US leader's visit to the sub-continent may materialise in February next year during which he would also come to Pakistan.

Expressing satisfaction over the defence, political, economic, trade and social sector cooperation between the US and Pakistan, he said Islamabad is closely watching the pattern of emerging close cooperation between the US and India on sharing of the civilian-nuclear technology.

He said Pakistan too has growing energy requirements and wish to acquire US nuclear power plants in future.

Pakistan wanted that any US legislation on transferring the nuclear technology should not be made country-specific. "The legislation must also open similar US cooperation with Pakistan," he said.

On the Bush Administration's crackdown on terror suspects in the US, he said Washington is deporting criminals, violators of laws and illegal immigrants. No excess with peace-loving Pakistanis or any other country's nationals have been reported, he added.

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Sameer

Pakistan will get block 50/52, not 30 in my view, this is because the US is offering India block 60 clone (not exactly the same as the UAE has rights to that). It was stated to be one step ahead of the PAF version by US officials in India.


Pakistan will also get the Amram but the older C not the latest C.


I am curious as to that third country that has spare F-16s though, any suggestions?

Sameer

btw belgium may be this 3rd country.

Vaman

Are u the same guy whos also on AFM?

I remember reading the entire thread there..

SuperFlanker

I wonder what the IAF will get to combat the F-16s. I doubt it will also go for F-16s, so the M2K5s and MiG-35s are still very possible. I really hope the IAF goes for M2K5s with Rafale technology. The French are much more reliable than the US and Russia and French tech is known to be very reliable. The MiG-35 is great, but i have heard that hte engines require overhauls very often(i'm still doubtful whehter or not this is true, since the MiG-29 was known for its easy of maintanence and high endurance).

Ray

Why is the US giving second hand aircraft?

Though it maybe a marginal issue but in the overall context given the wear and tear and the material fatigue, the life will be reduced and third world countries including India cannot go in for an refurbishing so regularly as would be required for operational efficiency.

Anyone can clarify this for me?

Sameer

In 2002 Pakistan was denied permission from Bush to get F-16s that were supposed to be in decent shape from Belgium, those could be it, I cant think of any other country but stay tuned, i will find out.

SuperFlanker

I'm amazed the US is even selling Block 50 F-16s to Pakistan knowing that all the tech from the aircraft will be in Chinas hands as soon as the first aircraft is delivered.

tphuang

i guess with F-22 out, block 50 f-16 technology is not as highly regarded anymore?

indianguy4u

IAF need nothing new to combat these reburbished f16s. 126 MRCA will be too good for these birds .

__________________
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bull

Their procurement might be fasetr than our MRCA procurement.So it indeed is a worry.

__________________
What's the difference between people who pray in church and those who pray in casinos?
The ones in the casinos are serious.

Srirangan

True.

Sameer

Ahh the US is not stupid my friend, in the mid 80s the US tried to give the F-14D chip upgrade to Iran through mercenaries in Cuba. Sometimes in a programme, a little bug or two can come in handy.

Sameer

OK some more possibilities include the third country of Denmark and the Netherlands.

The F-16s may have similar capabilities to the Euro MLU upgrade

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article2.html

Reason for the Mid Life Update


The first RDAF F-16B MLU, wearing the Check Six markings on its tail, on touchdown. (LMTAS photo)
When the F-16 entered service in 1979, it was expected that the aircraft would be replaced by a successor in 1999. Due to several reasons, both economical and political, the F-16 will not be replaced by a successor (which is not yet available right now) and will not be phased-out until 2010. In order to maintain the same level of operational capabilities and operational effectiveness of existing aircraft over the next ten to twenty years in this world of ever increasing technology, an extensive modernization program was developed, that later became known as the Mid-Life Update or MLU.

The project started in 1989 with a two year study of the possibilities to upgrade the F-16. In May 1991, the development phase started, which continued until 1997.

Aircraft structural integrity program
The F-16s airframe has been subject to more heavy loads than was predicted in 1979. This resulted in several unpredicted hair cracks in some of the airframe's bulkheads. Before an aircraft can be offered for MLU modification, the current state of the airframe is examined in the extensive Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (PACER SLIP). In this modification program, all bulkheads of the aircraft will be examined and repaired (using the so called Cold Working method) if necessary. After PACER SLIP, the aircraft will be able to last at least another 5,000 flying hours and can complete its life expectancy of 30 years.

Note that hair cracks are not uncommon in aircraft design. To predict the acceptable number and type of cracks, the aircraft manufacturer used information that reflected the exact capabilities of the aircraft. The F-16 was designed as a light and highly maneuverable aircraft that could withstand 9G and last for a minimum of 8,000 flight hours. All data is recorded in a load spectrum that specifies the use of the aircraft (i.e. type of missions), aircraft load and predicted number of landings.

Participating countries
At first five countries participated in the Mid Life Update; the four EPAF (European Participating Forces) countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway, as well as the United States. Each of the countries has one Lead The Fleet (LTF) F-16 at the Lockheed-Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas, as a trial aircraft for the modification. At the start of the program, it was projected that the USAF would also convert about 223 A/B-models under the MLU program. With the ending of the Cold War however, this part of the program was finished and the US backed-out after the development program.

In 2001, Portugal announced that it too was considering upgrading its acquired with MLU. The Portuguese program started at the end of 2002, with the first aircraft (LTF) being delivered in early 2003. First 16 A-models and 4 B-models of the Peace Atlantis II program will be upgraded. Followed later on by the other 20 F-16s.


TVI aircraft for the MLU program
BAF F-16A Block 15R 80-3584 FA-93
RDAF F-16B Block 1 78-0204 ET-204
RNLAF F-16B Block 15B 80-3650 J-650
RNoAF F-16A Block 10B 78-0299 299
USAF F-16A Block 15A 80-0584 80584



LTF aircraft for the MLU program
BAF F-16B Block 15AA 87-0001 FB-21
RDAF F-16A Block 5 78-0177 E-177
RNLAF F-16A Block 10B 78-0251 J-251
RNoAF F-16B Block 10B 78-0306 306
PoAF F-16A Block 15P 82-1017 15133


In total, 344 aircraft will be submitted to MLU (Portugal and possible future customers excluded):


Number of aircraft modified in the MLU program
BAF F-16A Block 10 - RNLAF F-16A Block 10 6
F-16B Block 10 - F-16B Block 10 4
F-16A Block 15 80 F-16A Block 15 107
F-16B Block 15 10 F-16B Block 15 20
RDAF F-16A Block 10 24 RNoAF F-16A Block 10 20
F-16B Block 10 5 F-16B Block 10 4
F-16A Block 15 24 F-16A Block 15 25
F-16B Block 15 8 F-16B Block 15 7

Each of the EPAF countries contribute to the MLU program :

Belgium: SABCA Gosselies;
Denmark: Depot at Aalborg;
The Netherlands: Fokker Aircraft Services and the air force's DMVS depot at Woensdrecht;
Norway: Depot at Kjeller.
Each aircraft will take up to 2,500 man hours, which is roughly equal to 5 months.
Initial work
All five Test, Verification and Installation (TVI) aircraft are stripped to the airframe and re-assembled in a later stadium in order to perform all kinds of work, including the replacement of hundreds of wiring harnesses (the cockpit alone incorporates one hundred new wiring harnesses).

When the aircraft will be completely re-assembled, they will be transported to Edwards Air Force Base in order to perform flight tests. After these flights, the Dutch and Norwegian aircraft will moved to Leeuwarden Air Base for further flight tests. One of the tests include testing of the new fire control radar system under European weather conditions. In a later stadium, the Belgian TVI aircraft follows. At that time, the software tests will commence.

Is it worth all the effort and the money?
Because of the F-16s unpredicted heavier airframe load in the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the aircraft's airframe needs to be overhauled apart from the Mid Life Update to allow the airframe to complete 3,500 flight hours. Keeping the aircraft operational until its 5,000th flight hour make the costs involved in the airframe repair / overhaul affordable and acceptable, making expensive airframe "re-inspections" unnecessary. The costs of the airframe repair / overhaul only form a quarter of the costs involved in the Mid Life Update.

The costs involved in the ASIP maintenance program result in increased operational capabilities as well as an increased life expectancy for the F-16 aircraft. These costs are lower than the price of a new aircraft. After the F-16s Mid Life Update modernization program, the F-16 can compete again with the most advanced fighters of today's world. An increase of both technical and economical life expectancy justify the cost for the Mid Life Update program.

The air inlet structure of the Block 10 aircraft will be modified, due to the fact that the current inlet of Block 10 aircraft does not allow for the implementation of hard points to carry equipment such as the Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) pod.

Structure & Avionics / Avionics upgrade
Most of the avionics that will be installed during MLU is existing hardware that is modified for use in the F-16. The Modular Mission Computer however is designed especially for the F-16. This will undoubtedly be one of the most important computers of the F-16 once MLU is completed.

Modular Mission Computer
The most important item of the Mid Life Update package is the Texas Instruments Modular Mission Computer (MMC) which is the key to providing new capabilities such as sensors and weapons, improved pilot-vehicle interface and pilot aiding. Subcontractors are Terma, Nea Lindberg and Signaal. This computer consists of line-replaceable modules (LRMs) based upon several MIPSCO R3000 32-bit RISC microprocessors which will run the ADA high-order language. An object-oriented design will reduce the lead times for new software and will improve the software maintenance. Other features include multiplex bus modules, avionics display processor, display driver and power supplies. The MMC will be the key to driving towards fleetwide commonality of system modes and software.

It will replace three components, namely the computers currently in use for the Expanded Fire Control Computer (XFCC), the Head Up Display Electronics Unit (HUD EU or HUD symbol generator), and the Stores Management System's Expanded Central Interface Unit (XCIU). The MMC will take up 42% less volume in the aircraft, weights 55% less and consumes 37% less electrical power. Of the 24 slots available in the computer, ten will be used for future growth.

Fire Control Radar
The Westinghouse AN/APX-66(V2) Fire Control Radar (FCR) will be equipped with an completely new signal data processor. It allows a track-while-scan mode for up to ten targets as well as a six-on-six AIM-120 AMRAAM capability. Other features include a 25% improvement in detection and tracking range, an enhanced Doppler Beam Sharpening mode (DBS), enhanced air-ground and ground mapping modes, a medium resolutions DNS, an enhanced ECCM, and a color display compatibility. The MLU kit and the receiver will also have an 40% improved reliability over previous versions.

Physical parameters :

Volume : 3.43 cu. ft.
Weight : 261.5 lb
Power : 3285 V/A AC (Max), 155 Watts DC (Nominal)
Cooling : 11.3 lb/min a 27degr. C
Advanced IFF
The Hazeltine APX-111(V1) Advanced Identification Friend-or-Foe system (AIFF) with increased range performance (100 Nm) will operate via four (rather striking) antennas mounted on the upper forward fuselage in front of the canopy. These "bird slicers", more formally known as Upper Interogator Fuselage Mounted Antenna (FMA) Array, will be the most noticeable exterior change of the Mid Life Update.

The benefits of this AIFF system will be the support for BVR weapons delivery in excess of Radar/Missile limits and the enhanced situational awareness which reduces the chance of a fratricide.

Cockpit displays and indicators
Wide Angle Conventional Head Up display
The new Wide Angle Conventional Head Up Display (WAC HUD) manufactured by GEC Marconi Avionics will increase readability and pilot comfort, offers a wider field of view than the current HUD and adds a raster capability and support for night operations. This HUD is also FLIR and EEGS compatible.

Multi-Function Display
The Multi-Function Display (MFD) set, manufactured by Honeywell, include two 10cm x 10cm (4in x 4in) color active matrix liquid crystal multi-function displays, which will replace the current single monochrome Radar Electro/Optical Indicator Unit (REO-IU) and the Stores Control Panel (SCP) - the Stores Management System display. Both displays will increase the pilot's Situational Awareness drastically and will therefore contribute to increased flight safety.

Enhanced Upgraded Programmable Display Generator
An Enhanced Upgraded Programmable Display Generator (EUPDG), manufactured by Honeywell and Nea Lindberg in Denmark, will support the two color MFD's, allowing the pilot to set up to twelve display programs. One of them includes a color Horizontal Situation Display, which will be, provide the pilot with a God's eye view of the tactical situation. Inside is a 20MHz, 32-bit Intel 80960 Display Processor and a 256K battery-backed RAM system memory. The color graphics controller is based on the T.I. TMS34020 Raster Graphics Chipset.

Audio/Video Recorder
Also new is the Cockpit Television System manufactured by Telemetrics. The current Airborne Video Tape Recorder (AVTR) will be replaced by a TEAC color audio visual tape recorder. Head Up Display images as well as the images of the Multi Function Displays will be selectable for recording which is great for the debriefing of missions.



The same Danish MLU, now in flight. (LMTAS photo)Helmet Mounted Display

A helmet-mounted display (HMD) is not part of the present configuration, but program director Philip Schwab believes that the European operators may decide to incorporate it if the program continues to progress well. Lockheed Martin and Honeywell have demonstrated the use of the HMD, combined with DTS, to allow the pilot to designate targets of opportunity simply by placing an HMD pipper on the target. EPAF and USAF are to pursue a five-nation HMD program, related to the introduction of the ASRAAM, the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile, somewhere in the next century. Software and hardware modifications are already being studied by a cockpit review team and both space and wiring is already being accounted for in the current MLU.

On Eglin AFB, Honeywell and GEC Marconi experiment with a Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS), combined with Raytheon's Box-Office agile missile. Honeywell and GEC-Marconi will start with the development and promotion of a Look-And-Shoot Helmet Mounted Cueing System for the F-16. This year, flight tests will take place in one of Lockheed-Martin's F-16B duals.

Side stick controller and throttle grip
The side stick controller (manufactured by Lear Astronics Corporation) and throttle grip are Block 50 unit models and will replace the current Block-10/15 stick grips. Both throttle and stick will be equipped with various controls, for an increased variety of functions, including VHF and UHF communications, IFF interrogation, Improved Data Modem operation, secondary flight controls (speed brakes), night vision cockpit blackout selection (NVIS Switch) and boresighting as well as slaving of missiles (now only selectable via the cues of the Stores Control Panel, which requires hands-off-throttle, head-down operation).

Modifications & Upgrades / Other features
Improved Data Modem
The Improved Data Modem (IDM), developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and built by Symetrics Inc., will be used to exchange data of various systems and targets with other aircraft (e.g. F-16, A-10, AH-64 or E-8 JSTARS) or with a ground station. Provisions have been made for the Link 16 Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS).

Electronic Warfare Management System
An Electronic Warfare Management System (EWMS) developed by Terma Elektronik AS in Denmark provides centralized EW control for entire EW suite : management of threats (RWR), ANQ pods and advanced chaff/flare systems.



Belgian Air Force Block 20 MLU. The block 20 can be distinguished by the birdslicers. These are part of the indiginous IFF system. (Luis Rosa photo)
Miniaturized Airborne GPS Receiver

MAGR, Miniaturized Airborne GPS Receiver built by Rockwell-Collins Avionics & Communications Division, operating via an E-Systems antenna. It provides accurate position, velocity and time to support navigation, steering and weapon delivery. This system is smaller and lighter than the Block 40/50 receiver (RCVR 3A), consumes less power but delivers the same performance.

Digital Terrain System
A Digital Terrain System (DTS), which uses the British Aerospace Systems & Equipments (BASE) Terprom system hosted on a Fairchild Defense memory module (128kb). The DTS provides precise navigation (in conjunction with the Rockwell/E-Systems GPS) and performs a number of safety and situational-awareness functions in low-level flight. This does not imply however, that the F-16 will be capable of automatic terrain following. The (former Block-10/-15) F-16 aircraft does not have a digital flight control system, so the system cannot be linked directly to the aircraft's Flight Control System. The pilot will be following the DTS advice manually by flying on the Flight Path Marker in the HUD. The system is as accurate as the accuracy of the maps being used, so this requires extremely accurate maps of the area.

Cockpit Layout
The cockpit layout will be the one of the F-16C Block-40/50. However, unlike the Block-40/50 aircraft, the MLU F-16s will be equipped with color displays. The cockpit lighing will be compatible with Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) and all visible surfaces will be painted black. The Night Vision goggles are deactivated in the HUD field-of-view to allow inhibited HUD viewing.

Provisions for recce pods
Up to now, if the F-16 were to carry reconnaissance pods, it had to be specially equipped for that purpose. A number of Dutch F-16s has been equipped to carry the Oudedelft pod. The MLU will see a standard recce interface installed for a number of reconnaissance pods.

Provisions for the Microwave Landing System
This system will be incorporated in the F-16 structure. The system will not be standard equipment on the F-16 and the particular countries have to by it seperately. Although not standard, the system will enhance flight safety by adding an MLS, which can guide the pilot through adverse weather conditions.

Recent developments
First flights of TVI aircraft
The first of five TVI aircraft for the MLU has made its first flight from Fort Worth on April 28, 1995. This USAF F-16C, #80-0584/ED, a Block 15 model, is destined for the 20 Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB. The second TVI aircraft made its first flight on May 11, 1995. This is a two-seat F-16B aircraft ( #ET-204) of the Royal Danish Air Force. The first two of five TVI aircraft were transported to Edwards AFB on June 9th, 1995.

Start of initial development test & evaluation
In June 1995, the first flights took place in the MLU's DT&E phase on Edwards Air Force base, under the leadership of main contractor Lockheed-Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems and the United States Air Force. Each of the four EPAF countries supplied its own test pilot.

Following the DT&E phase
Both aircraft will be equipped with special measurement systems and will be used in the Development Test & Evaluation test program at Edwards AFB, which will last until October 1997. The three other TVI aircraft will be used in the DT&E phase until mid-1996.

Further tests will then take place at Leeuwarden Air Base, The Netherlands, which will denote the start of the Operational Test & Evaluation phase of MLU. At Leeuwarden, four more MLU aircraft will join the program, the so called Lead The Fleet (LTF) aircraft, the first F-16s that will be modified for each of the four EPAF countries.

DT&E software tapes 1 thru 4
The DT&E aircraft now use the MLU Tape-1 software. This version will be replaced in June 1996 by the more extensive Tape-2 at the beginning of the OT&E phase. Tape-4 denote the final version which will be used in the Mid Life Update of other aircraft to be modified.

Development of the M1-tape went through four phases of Flight Test Tapes (FFT). In each of these test tapes, other performances where met, including:

FTT-1 tape

Radar performance evaluation

FTT-2 tape

Weapon modes Air-Air and Air-Ground testing
Navigation (INS and GPS)
Basic MMC core functions integration

FTT-3 tape

Datalink
IFF interrogation
Horizontal Situation Display
DTS integration
Cockpit color screen implementation

FTT-4 tape

"Clean-up" tape (intended as correction to imperfections found in earlier phases)

After the M1 tape, the M2 tape followed in 2000, M3 tape in 2003 and the final release M4 tape will follow in 2005. All these tapes incorporate other features, including:

M2 tape

Automatic Target Hand-off System (ATHS)
Integration of anti radiation missile capability
Integration of target designator system
Further implementation of the Digital Terrain System

M3 tape

Integration of capability for GPS controlled weapons
Introduction of Helmet Mounted/Cueing Sight
Introduction of advanced short-range missile, as a replacement for the current Sidewinder

M4 tape

Detailled information about the enhancements covered by this release haven't been available

Specifications
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan, rated at 14,590 lb.s.t. dry and 23,770 lb.s.t. with afterburning.

Maximum speed: Mach 2.05 at 40,000 feet. Service ceiling 55,000 feet. Maximum range 2400 miles. Initial climb rate 62,000 feet per minute.

Dimensions: wingspan 32 feet 9 1/2 inches, length 49 feet 3 1/2 inches, height 16 feet 8 1/2 inches, wing area 300 square feet.

Weights: 16,285 pounds empty, 25,281 pounds combat, 37,500 pounds maximum takeoff.