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

Lockheed Martin begins a series of final tests of the world's first F-16 fighter, upgraded to the Block level

70/72 Viper. The aircraft was officially unveiled in March 2023.

What is known

4++ generation fighter will be handed overRoyal Air Force of Bahrain. However, before being sent to the country of the Persian Gulf, the aircraft will have to undergo a series of tests at the US Air Force Base Edwards (Edwards).


</ img>

The F-16V was introduced in South Carolina.A few days ago, he arrived at an 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 electroniccomponent at the level of the fifth generation fighter F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The F-16V has a Link 16 communications system that allows it to communicate with fifth-generation fighters, AWACS aircraft, and Patriot air defense systems.


</ img>

Modernization Block 70/72 Viper involvesinstallation of the APG-83 radar station with an active phased array antenna. In addition, the F-16V can launch AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120C7 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.


</ img>

Lockheed Martin facility in Greenville, SouthCalifornia, had an official plan for the production of 127 modernized fighters. However, the plan was increased by 20 aircraft after additional contracts from Jordan and Bulgaria.