Lockheed Martin sends world's first upgraded F-16 Viper Block 70 fighter to Edwards Base for final testing

Lockheed Martin begins a series of final tests of the world's first F-16 fighter to be upgraded to the Block 70/72 Viper. The aircraft was officially unveiled in March 2023.

Here's What We Know

The Generation 4++ fighter will be delivered to the Royal Bahrain Air Force. However, before being shipped to the Gulf country, the aircraft will undergo a series of tests at US Air Force Base Edwards.

The F-16V was unveiled in South Carolina. A few days ago it arrived at the air base in California. The fighter will be tested as part of the 416th Test Squadron, which is part of the 412th Test Wing of the US Air Force.

After the upgrade, the F-16V received an electronic component on par with the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II fighters. The F-16V has Link 16 communications system, which allows it to exchange data with fifth-generation fighters, AWACS aircraft and Patriot surface-to-air missile systems.

The Block 70/72 Viper upgrade involves fitting an APG-83 active phased array radar. In addition, the F-16V can launch AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120C7 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.

The Lockheed Martin facility in Greenville, Southern California, had an official plan to produce 127 upgraded fighters. However, the plan was increased by 20 aircraft after additional contracts from Jordan and Bulgaria.

Source: DVIDS