The F-16V or Viper is the latest variant of the F-16 Fighting Falcon fourth generation,
multi-role, fighter aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The Viper integrates
advanced capabilities as part of an upgrade package to better interoperate
with fifth-generation fighters, including the F-35 and the F-22.
The fighter jet can be deployed in the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions,
air-to-ground and air-to-air combat, and deep interdiction and maritime interdiction missions.
The aircraft features airborne mission role-change capability and can detect and track time-critical,
hard-to-find targets in all weather conditions. It also reduces operational costs for the users.
F-16V weapon systems
An F-16V can be armed with a range of air-to-air missiles (AAMs), including AIM-9 Sidewinder,
Magic II, and ASRAAM short-range AAMs, as well as AIM-7, Sky Flash, and AIM-120 medium-range AAMs.
High off-bore-sight, infrared AAMs, such as AIM-9X, Python IV,
AIM-132 ASRAAM, and IRIS-T are also available.
The aircraft supports the integration of AGM-119/AGM-84/AGM-65G anti-ship missiles
and AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground tactical missile, as well as Paveway laser-guided bombs,
GBU-15 bombs, and wind corrected munitions dispenser weapons.
Targeting and countermeasures of Viper fighter
The F-16V’s AESA radar enables all-weather targeting
and offers high-resolution detection and imaging of land-based targets. The phased array radar
allows the simultaneous application of air-to-air and air-to-surface modes.
The onboard Sniper advanced targeting pod (ATP)
gives high air-to-surface and air-to-air targeting capability to the F-16 Viper. It supports the
launch of all laser-guided and GPS-guided weapons against multiple fixed and moving targets.
The aircraft can be integrated with FLIR/laser system and reconnaissance and navigation pods.
The Viper fighter is equipped with upgraded electronic warfare equipment
and modern threat warning systems, including jammers, threat warning receivers,
electronic countermeasures equipment pods, as well as chaff and infrared flare dispensers to
defend the most dangerous threats in complex battlefield scenarios.
F-16 Viper engine
The fighter jet is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229
or a General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofan engine. The F100-PW-229 develops a thrust of 29,100lb,
whereas the F110-GE-129 generates a power of 29,500lb.
The power plant provides the aircraft with a maximum speed of Mach 2 and a range of 1,740nmi.
F-16V development
The F-16V jet fighter was first unveiled at the Singapore Airshow in February 2012,
and the Viper configuration is available both as a new production aircraft,
as well as a components upgrade for the existing F-16 versions. In October 2012,
Lockheed Martin received a $1.85bn contract from the US Government to upgrade 145 Block 20 F-16A/B
aircraft for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force. With the upgrades and the planned
delivery of 66 new F-16Vs in 2023, Taiwan will become the largest operator of F-16s in Asia.
However, Taiwan still remains very much a proverbial David to the Goliath that is China,
which operates around 1,600 fighters,
around half of them based in the eastern and southern theaters abutting Taiwan,
along with around 450 bombers according to U.S. News & World Reports. Moreover, China’s
superiority in both quality and quantity of fighter aircraft is seen as turning the military
balance in the Taiwan Strait to its advantage, independent of involvement by U.S. forces.
Only time will tell whether the F-16Vs could be the sling that helps stop the Goliath.
Why
Taiwan’s F-16Vs are its best bet against the J-20 stealth fighter.
The F-16V fighter remains Taiwan’s biggest hope of fending off an
air attack from the mainland – especially against the PLA’s J-20
stealth fighter jet – despite Tuesday’s crash during a combat training mission.
The island is in the process of upgrading 141 outdated F-16A/B block 20s to the new generation
US fighter – and has 66 brand new F-16V block 70s on order – in a bid to match up to the J-20,
only the third fifth-generation stealth fighter in service in the world.
The J-20’s advanced radar and electronics, along with its integrated weapons management systems,
are believed to be similar in concept to the US F-35. Its long-range missiles can travel 300km
(186 miles) and its radar system can detect targets up to 135km away.
The upgraded F-16V has a better chance than its predecessors of detecting the J-20.
Unlike earlier versions, it is fitted with an APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA)
radar and other up-to-date avionics.
It is also capable of carrying advanced air-to-air AIM-9X missiles and the block 70s,
which are expected to start arriving in 2023,
will be driven by powerful F-110-GE132 engines, for better maneuverability in dogfights.
The F-16V is regarded as a fourth or even 4.5-generation fighter. It can share intelligence
with consort planes through its detection system, while its superior night vision and automatic
ground collision avoidance system make it capable of close and long-distance combat with the J-20.
When Taiwan takes delivery of the new planes – expected to start in 2023
and finish in 2026 – it will become the world’s biggest F-16 operator.
But military analysts said that if the F-16V were to take on the J-20, much would depend
on the pilot’s ability to effectively operate the aircraft’s weapons and electronic warfare systems.
Cockpit and avionics of F-16 Viper
The F-16V’s advanced glass cockpit incorporates an upgraded mission computer and state-of-the-art
avionics, including color multi-function displays, a large high-resolution center pedestal display
(CPD), helmet-mounted cueing system, and a high-volume, high-speed data bus.
The CPD enhances situational awareness of the crew by supporting real-time processing
and imaging of flight safety data. The F-16 Viper is also equipped with an upgraded,
programmable displays generator, a Link-16 theatre data link, identification friend
or foe (IFF), and HF/UHF/VHF radio communications.
The single, high-performance, modular mission computer
(MMC) on the F-16V is a replacement for the three original computers.
It provides higher computing power to the avionics
and weapon systems while offering improved situational awareness,
air-to-air strike performances, accurate targeting, and information capabilities.
The gigabit ethernet-based architecture enables the control of electronic warfare displays
and avionics systems of the aircraft.
“The Viper configuration is available as a new production aircraft,
while a components upgrade is also being offered to the existing F-16 versions.”
The advanced fighter jet is also fitted with precision GPS navigation
and an automated ground collision avoidance system
(AGCAS), which provides the pilot with alerts of an imminent collision with the ground, and
controls the aircraft to avoid a collision in case of the pilot’s unresponsiveness to visual cues.