Lockheed Martin Delivers 20th Upgraded F-16 Viper Multirole Fighter Jet to Greece.

On July 3, 2024, Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), announced the delivery of the 20th F-16 aircraft upgraded to the "Viper" configuration to the Hellenic Air Force (HAF). This delivery marks an important step in strengthening Greece's defense capabilities, providing the Hellenic Air Force with the most advanced F-16 fleet in Europe.
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Lockheed Martin F-16 Multirole Fighter Jet (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

The F-16 Viper was upgraded at HAI's facilities in Tanagra, as part of a program approved by the U.S. government in October 2017, with an estimated value of around $1.5 billion. The first aircraft, bearing serial number 005, was initially delivered in 2009 as an F-16C Block 52+ with a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine under the Peace Xenia IV sale. Greece had acquired a total of 90 Block 52/52+ aircraft, and the surviving units are currently being upgraded. However, the 80 Block 30/50 aircraft powered by the General Electric F110 engine are not part of the F-16V program.

After modernization, the aircraft is now an F-16V in Block 72 configuration, with the "2" indicating its Pratt & Whitney engine. The key element of this modernization is the installation of the Northrop Grumman APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), a sensor with an active electronically scanned array (AESA). The cockpit features a new center pedestal display and is compatible with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II. Other improvements include a new mission computer, an automatic ground collision avoidance system, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, a Link 16 datalink, and an advanced friend or foe identification system.

OJ Sanchez, Vice President of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, stated that Lockheed Martin is proud to have partnered with HAI "to upgrade the F-16s to the advanced Viper configuration for the Hellenic Air Force," adding that this upgrade "enhances Greece’s role within NATO."

With this modernization, the Hellenic Air Force will be equipped with the "most advanced and cost-effective F-16 fleet in Europe." A total of 84 F-16 fighters will be upgraded to the Viper configuration by 2027. The work is being carried out by HAI under the guidance of Lockheed Martin teams located both at HAI facilities and in the United States.

Peace Xenia IV is the fourth phase of a program for the modernization and acquisition of F-16 fighter jets conducted by Greece in collaboration with the United States. Launched in 2005, this program aims to strengthen the capabilities of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) by integrating 30 new F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines and upgrading existing models. The primary objectives are to enhance the performance of Greek fighters, extend their service life, and make them compatible with NATO forces through advanced upgrades to avionics, radar systems, and electronic warfare capabilities.

Peace Xenia IV is crucial for Greece as it enhances its air defense capabilities in a region marked by geopolitical tensions. By modernizing its F-16s, Greece improves its interoperability with other NATO members, facilitating participation in multinational missions. Additionally, this program ensures the continuous modernization of the Greek air fleet, allowing the Hellenic Air Force to remain prepared to face current and future threats. Peace Xenia IV thus reinforces Greece's position as a key ally within NATO and protects its airspace with an advanced and efficient fleet of F-16s.

The F-16 Block 70/72 represents the latest generation of the renowned F-16 fighter jets, combining advanced and integrated capabilities. This innovative model is equipped with cutting-edge avionics, a proven Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a modernized cockpit with new safety features, sophisticated weapons, conformal fuel tanks, an improved performance engine, and an extended structural service life of 12,000 hours. The operational capabilities of the Block 70/72 are enhanced by an advanced datalink, targeting pod and weapons, Infrared Search and Track (IRST), precision GPS navigation, and a digital flight control computer with enhanced autopilot/auto throttle and an automatic ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS).

The advanced APG-83 AESA radar of the F-16 Block 70/72 offers greater situational awareness, increased flexibility, and faster all-weather targeting. The APG-83 provides the F-16 with fifth-generation radar capabilities by leveraging technology from the F-22 and F-35 AESA radars. This radar is integrated with a new active and passive internal electronic warfare system, called Viper Shield, which includes a digital radar warning receiver (DRWR) designed to work with the APG-83 radar.

The Block 70/72 features a new center pedestal display (CPD) that provides critical tactical imagery to pilots on a high-resolution 6"x 8" screen. This display allows pilots to maximize the use of AESA and targeting pod data. The CPD offers color moving maps, larger and easier-to-manage air-to-air situation displays, zoom functionality, and the ability to switch information between displays, as well as a digital display of flight instrument data. These improvements, combined with the new structures and capabilities of production aircraft, ensure that the international F-16 fleet will remain operational until 2060 and beyond.

To date, more than 4,700 F-16s have been ordered by 30 international customers. The Block 70/72 stands out with its exceptional features, such as an advanced APG-83 AESA radar with improved radar modes, a modular mission computer and upgraded avionics architecture, as well as an infrared search and track (IRST) capability. It is equipped with an advanced datalink, targeting pod and sophisticated weapons, new cockpit displays and safety improvements, a new digital flight control computer with enhanced autopilot/auto throttle, and an automatic ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS). Additionally, it features a digital communication system with 3D audio and precision GPS navigation.

The F-16 Block 70/72 boasts impressive specifications: a length of 15.027 meters (49.3 feet), a height of 5.090 meters (16.7 feet), a wingspan of 9.449 meters (31.0 feet), and an empty weight of 9,207 kilograms (20,300 pounds). It reaches a speed of 1,500 mph (Mach 2+) and has a thrust class of 13,000 kilograms (29,000 pounds), with a maximum takeoff weight of 21,772 kilograms (48,000 pounds). Designed with a load factor of 9g, it offers a prolonged service life of 12,000 hours. With its advanced technologies and capabilities, the F-16 Block 70/72 is designed to maintain air superiority until 2060 and beyond, providing an unmatched defense solution to air forces worldwide.