Views: 7
BULGARIAN MILITARY
Lockheed Martin heralded a new chapter in European air defense on July 22, with the arrival of the first F-16 Block 70 multi-role fighters in Slovakia. So far, Slovakia has received five aircraft, with nine more in the pipeline. All units are expected to be delivered to the Slovak Air Force by the end of 2025.
“Slovakia leads the charge in adopting Europe’s most advanced 4th generation F-16 Block 70 fighter jets. These planes not only bolster the alliance between Slovakia, the U.S., and NATO but also equip the Slovak Air Force with cutting-edge capabilities essential for 21st-century security challenges,” commented O.J. Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group division.
Just a quick recap—Slovakia signed a contract back in 2018 to purchase 14 F-16 Block 70 aircraft for around 1.6 billion euros. Fast forward to September 2023, Lockheed Martin announced that the first fighter for Slovakia had been produced. The official delivery of the first two jets took place in January of this year, but they remain in the USA for training purposes.
Lockheed Martin notes that the F-16 Block 70 fighters come equipped with the Northrop Grumman APG-83 AESA radar and the latest avionics, boasting an impressive airframe life of 12,000 hours. Plus, these aircraft feature the Auto GCAS [automatic collision avoidance system], which has already saved 13 pilots since its inception in 2014.
300 Block 70
Lockheed Martin celebrated a major milestone last week, delivering its 4,600th F-16 multirole fighter. In a video release, one of their pilots showcased his experience flying all versions, from Block 10 to Block 70. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the first American flight of this iconic fighter.
Though the F-16 has been around for quite some time, Lockheed Martin believes this aircraft still holds tremendous potential. They are confident that the production of the Block 70/72 version can continue well into the next decade. O. J. Sanchez, vice president of the F-16 and F-22 programs, noted that Lockheed Martin sees a “clear opportunity” to sell about 300 export F-16s. This optimism stems from the program’s steady recovery following the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported in Breaking Defense. Currently, the F-16 order portfolio stands at approximately 130 aircraft.
“We will tailor our production line as needed to meet demand,” Sanchez stated. He also mentioned the possibility of ramping up production to four F-16s per month, or 48 per year, to meet increasing demand.
About F-16 Block 70
The F-16 Block 70 is the latest and most advanced version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics and now produced by Lockheed Martin. The dimensions of the F-16 Block 70 include a length of approximately 49.3 feet [15.03 meters], a wingspan of 32.8 feet [9.96 meters], and a height of 16.7 feet [5.09 meters].
The propulsion system of the F-16 Block 70 is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 or General Electric F110-GE-129 afterburning turbofan engine. This engine provides a thrust of around 29,000 pounds, enabling the aircraft to reach speeds exceeding Mach 2 and offering excellent performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The F-16 Block 70 features advanced control systems, including a digital flight control system [DFCS] that enhances maneuverability and stability. The DFCS is complemented by fly-by-wire technology, which replaces traditional manual flight controls with electronic interfaces, improving response times and precision.
The avionics suite of the F-16 Block 70 is state-of-the-art, featuring the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array [AESA] radar. The armament of the F-16 Block 70 is highly versatile, allowing it to carry a wide range of weapons for different mission profiles. It can be equipped with air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder, as well as air-to-ground munitions including JDAMs, Paveway laser-guided bombs, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles. The aircraft also features an internal M61 Vulcan cannon for close-range engagements.