The F-16 may have emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, yet the combat-tested aircraft now flies with reinforced airframes, high-speed computers, upgraded weapons, and several next-generation F-35 technologies.
In recent years, for instance, the F-16 has not only benefited from a successful Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) extending the jet’s flight hours from 8,000 to 12,000 hours but also received F-35-capable Active Electronically Scanned Array radar.
AESA radar not only provides longer-range detection but also brings the ability to track as many as 20 targets at one time.
This is extremely significant, as the AESA replaces the previous mechanical radar and massively reduces vulnerability, offers multiple attack options, and brings a 360-degree viewing envelope. AESA is also capable of Electronic Warfare (EW), something expected to be greatly enhanced by a new generation of onboard computing.
Extending the Life of the F-16
The success of the upgraded F-16 has even inspired Lockheed to engineer a new, even more advanced, F-16v variant tailored to the Indian military. The “v” model for India, called the F-21, integrates a high-definition digital cockpit display, helmet-mounted cueing, new computing, and an EW suite.
The “v” aircraft also brings a new data bus and survivability-enhancing missile warning sensors.
The F-21 also integrates a high-tech, EW-capable Infrared Search and Track Technology (IRST) which has both active and passive detection modes and can establish a target “track” at much greater distances. IRST is also integrated into the Navy F/A-18.
These developments suggest that while there ultimately are limits to which any legacy aircraft can be upgraded, the F-16 and the F-21 are essentially entirely new planes when compared to the early days of the aircraft. At the same time, there are many who view the legacy aircraft as ultimately quite limited in terms of how far it can be upgraded. In particular, a non-stealthy, 4th-generation F-16 is not likely to succeed against a modern, high-tech, adversary 5th-generation aircraft or advanced air defenses.
Instead, by working in close coordination with 5th-generation assets, an F-16 could perform critical attack missions with air-dropped bombs and air-to-air weapons once stealthier aircraft were able to establish a safer “air corridor.” Such a tactical scenario would enable the F-16 to operate as a mini-flying arsenal able to expand weapons attack options for the Air Force massively.
The F-16 has wing-tip air rails as well as underwing weapons delivery capacity and under-fuselage pylons to carry armament. The aircraft can travel with a 15,800-pound weapons payload, which includes 1,000-pound bombs.
What these factors suggest is that the F-16 can remain relevant. It can do so to the extent there is a need to “mass” air attack with armaments in support of the 5th-generation or simply operate in less-contested environments where the U.S. has air supremacy.
There certainly are possible areas that may require counter-insurgency missions or air-ground attacks against less capable enemy aircraft and air defenses.
F-16 Viper. Image Credit: Lockheed Martin.
F-16. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a mission in the skies near Iraq on March 22, 2003 during Operation Iraqi freedom. The plane is armed with HARM missiles.
There may still be a role for the F-16 in a great power war until more significant numbers of F-35s arrive.
Yet, it will need to operate as a supportive “bomb truck” kind of aircraft, depending upon the extent to which its airframe can be sustained at the requisite level of operational functionality.
Kris Osborn is the Military Affairs Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
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