Defense & Security Thailand 2019: Lockheed Martin displays F-16 Block and C-130J aircafts.

Lockheed Martin is participating at Defence & Security Thailand exhibition in Bangkok from 18-21 November 2019. A good opportunity for the American company to display its C-130J Super Hercules and its F-16 Block 70/72 version both destinated to the Asian market.

Lockheed Martin C-130J at Defense & Security Thailand 2019 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. During more than 60 years of service, the family has participated in military, civilian, and humanitarian aid operations. The Hercules has outlived several planned successor designs, most notably the Advanced Medium STOL Transport contestants. As of February 2018, 400 C-130J aircraft have been delivered to 17 nations.

Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

The F-16 Block 70/72 is the newest and most advanced F-16 production configuration, combining numerous capability and structural upgrades. New capabilities based on the advanced F-16V configuration gives structural life more than 50 percent beyond that for this new version.

The F-16 Block 70/72 combines capability upgrades, most notably the advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar with a new avionics architecture, and structural upgrades to extend the structural life of the aircraft by more than 50 percent beyond that of previous production F-16 aircraft. F-16 Block 70 software takes advantage of technologies not available when earlier Block F-16s were developed and produced. Operational capabilities are enhanced through an advanced datalink, targeting pod and weapons; precision GPS navigation and the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).

According to Army Recognition source, the Indonesian Air Force is looking to acquire new Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 72 fighters from the US to boost its aerial capability as part of the nation’s 2020-24 strategic plan (apparently two squadrons which represents about 32 fighters).