[TT-1 Pinto]

Aurora boreale ....

Quota

A row of F-16 Fighting Falcons deployed from Kunsan AB, South Korea, bask in the glow of the Northern Lights at Eielson AFB, Alaska, during Red Flag-Alaska 11-3, Sept. 14, 2011.
(Air Force photo by SSgt. Kurtis Hoar)

Fonte .... "Daily Report" dal sito dell'AFA (U.S. Air Force Association) ....

[matteo16]

Splendida foto Pinto sull'Aurora Boreale

A proposito del Falcon la Corea del sud lancerà a novembre un concorso per la scelta del radar AESA...

Link

Questo messaggio è stato modificato da matteo16: 21 ottobre 2011 - 18:05

[TT-1 Pinto]

"Viper" forever?

Quota

Fonte: Aerospace Daily and Defense Report (AW&ST)

USAF To Extend F-16s To Cover F-35 Delays

By Graham Warwick (Nov. 8, 2011)


The U.S. Air Force plans to upgrade more than 300 Lockheed Martin F-16s and potentially additional Boeing F-15s to fill the gap caused by delays to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

The service shortly will announce plans to extend the service life and upgrade the avionics on 300-350 late-model Block 40 and 50 F-16s, Lt. Gen. Herbert Carlisle, deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, told Congress last week.

The structural and avionics upgrades are projected to cost $9.4 million per aircraft, he said. Extending airframe life to 10,000 hr. from 8,000 will add about eight years of service life and extend the capability of the F-16 fleet to 2030.

The service life extension is required because of delays in developing and fielding the F-35. Initial operational capability (IOC) of the Air Force’s F-35A variant was planned for 2018 but has slipped by about two years, Carlisle said.

The new IOC date will be determined once an updated F-35 integrated master schedule is completed. This is expected “fairly shortly,” Carlisle said. Built on a technical baseline review that extended JSF development by two years, the new schedule will detail how the F-35 will be fielded to replace F-16s and other aircraft in the active Air Force, Air National Guard and Reserve.

Although the Air Force has enough Block 40 and 50 F-16s to upgrade as many as 600 aircraft to cover any fighter shortfall should there be further F-35 delays, “we do not believe we will have to go there,” Carlisle said.

The Air Force is already upgrading 176 F-15C/Ds to operate through at least 2025 and fill the gap left by termination of Lockheed Martin F-22 production after 187 aircraft. “We may extend ‘long-term’ status to the entire 250-aircraft inventory based on requirements of the future force structure,” Carlisle testified.

The F-15s are receiving active, electronically scanned array radars, and both Northrop Grumman and Raytheon have responded to a prior Air Force requests for information to install similar high-performance radars in the F-16.

[matteo16]

domenica 13 novembre 2011

Pakistan: F-16 contro i talebani

22:54

Parlando alla Conferenza dei "Generali dell'Aria" al Dubai Airshow, il maresciallo dell'aria pakistano Rao Qamar Suleman ha confermato per la prima volta il ruolo svolto dal Lockheed Martin F-16 e da speciali Lockheed C-130 nella guerra la terrorismo.

Fino all'agosto del 2008, Air Force pakistana non aveva alcuna esperienza in questo tipo di operazioni (denominate "counter-insurgency", traducibile a fatica in contro-insurrezione). Il ruolo in queste operazioni era precedentemente affidato ad elicotteri d'attacco e da artiglieria, credendo però nelle potenzialità del velivolo, l'aeronautica si è imbarcata nell'apprendimento dell'utilizzo della superiorità aerea.

Gli F-16 sono stati dotati di targeting pod Goodrich DB-110 e i C-130 con i sensori FLIR Brite Star II e Star Safire III. I primi hanno effettuato più di 650 sortite con una percentuale di colpi a segno dell'80%. L'aeronautica pakistana ha prevalentemente operato (dopo la lezione presa nelle operazioni a Leo Sam e nella valle si Swat) controllando i passi di montagna utilizzati dai combattenti talebani. Tirando le somme, nei primi due anni di operazioni, sono state condotto più di 5.500 sortite, sganciati 10.600 ordigni e colpiti 4.600 bersagli nemici.

Washington e Londra invece sono arrivati ad un accordo per cui gli inglesi venderanno 74 Harrier fuori servizio (insieme a motori e parti di ricambio) a US Navy e Marine Corps per garantire l'utilizzo del velivolo fino alla metà del decennio 2020-2030, garantendo quindi velivoli extra in sostituzione dei biposto F-18D Hornet.

Link

Fonte: militaryphotos.net

Questo messaggio è stato modificato da matteo16: 15 novembre 2011 - 22:59

[matteo16]

Altro successo nel mercato internazionale del sempre competitivo F-16



15/12/2011 - 12:21 pm

L'Oman sceglie gli F-16

Il Principato di Muscat ha deciso, a sorpresa, di ordinare altri 12 F-16 Block 50, facendo sfumare un’altra possibilità per l’Eurofighter. Fonti governative inglesi avevano infatti diffuso la notizia di un possibile accordo inter-governativo, ma ieri il Dipartimento della Difesa ha annunciato l’ordine, da 600 milioni di dollari, in favore della Lockheed Martin.

Link

Link

Questo messaggio è stato modificato da matteo16: 15 dicembre 2011 - 21:56

[zak fair]

Ed ecco passare sopra casa mia, proprio quando sto per cominciare una serena passeggiata pomeridiana, due F16 a poche decine di metri dal mio tetto, (non sto esagerando miei cari), era oramai una vita che non vedevo questi caccia passarmi sulla capoccia. come sempre abito a Reggio Calabria a 200 metri dalla pista dell'aeroporto.

PS
per amor della precisione, erano le 16:05

[gepiro66]

zak fair, su 31 gennaio 2012 - 16:35, ha detto:

Ed ecco passare sopra casa mia, proprio quando sto per cominciare una serena passeggiata pomeridiana, due F16 a poche decine di metri dal mio tetto,

Ehh.... bei tempi andati!

[TT-1 Pinto]

F-16V .... V per "Viper" .... nuova versione di un aereo che non ha voglia di tramontare ....

Quota

Lockheed Martin announces F-16V development 

By: Greg Waldron (Singapore) - 5 hours ago

Source:


Lockheed Martin has announced a new variant of the F-16 fighter, which will include an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, new mission computer and other cockpit improvements.

The F-16V configuration will be available as an upgrade for most F-16s as well as new production jets, said George Standridge, vice-president of business development at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. The "V" in the aircraft's name stands for "Viper", the nickname given to the type by US Air Force pilots.

During a presentation at the Singapore Airshow, Standridge noted that most legacy F-16s can be upgraded to the F-16V standard, which is roughly equivalent to the F-16 Block 60.

Nearly 4,500 F-16s have been delivered since the 1970s and the aircraft is operated by 26 countries globally.

Standridge did not specify the radar type that would be used. In the Taiwan and South Korean F-16 upgrade competitions, Northrop Grumman has proposed its Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) against the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar (RACR).

The F-16 Block 60s operated by the United Arab Emirates are equipped with Northrop's APG-80 AESA radar.

The first company to win an AESA competition will have a very strong first-mover advantage in the F-16 radar upgrade market. The USAF is also very interested in the outcome of the South Korean and Taiwanese competitions, because it could have a bearing on the radar that is eventually integrated into its own F-16s.

Standridge also mentioned proposed new variants of the C-130J Hercules, the C-130XJ and C-130 Sea Hercules. The C-130XJ would be 10-15% less expensive than the existing C-130J, as previously reported by Flightglobal. Lockheed would achieve the savings by removing the C-130J's electronic warfare suite, defensive countermeasures and freight handling system.

The Sea Hercules would incorporate P-3C Orion capabilities into a C-130 airframe and be optimised for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare duties.

Il comunicato stampa del costruttore ....

http://www.lockheedm...aero-F-16V.html

[TT-1 Pinto]

V for Viper ....

.... dal blog "Ares" un commento di Bill Sweetman ....

http://goo.gl/rTPnj

[matteo16]

Proprio duro a morire il Viper...

[-{-Legolas-}-]

C'è niente da fare, quando un aereo è bello vola bene, e quando è fatto bene dura a lungo. Eccezionale F-16.

[zak fair]

Sopra casa mia sta facendo spettacolo un f16 con dei simulacri arancioni, semplicemente fantastico.

[franci.aeronautica]

L'F16 è un aereo (purtroppo) solamente servito per rimpiazzare l' f-104 in attesa ke lo sostituisse il typhoon 2000
Mio Link. Anche se il typhoon è in servizio gia da un po,l'aeronautica ha aspettato a rimpiazzare l'f-16,perchè voleva testare la piena efficentezza del typhoon.

[meason]

a dir la verità, l'aeronautica ha preso in leasing i viper in attesa che i typhoon fossero in numero sufficiente, non di certo per testare la sua "efficienza" che era stata provata dai prototipi ed aerei di preserie.

Questo messaggio è stato modificato da meason: 13 marzo 2012 - 17:31

[Tuccio14]

Più che altro hanno esercitato l'opzione di prolungare il programma "Pease Caesar" per gli ulteriori ritardi dell'EFA...

[TT-1 Pinto]

matteo16, su 16 febbraio 2012 - 14:41, ha detto:

Proprio duro a morire il Viper...

Infatti ....

Quota

PICTURES: Start-up developing four-seat variant of F-16A 

By: Washington DC (7 hours ago)

Source:


A Tuscon, Arizona-based start-up is developing a four-seat variant of the venerable Lockheed Martin F-16A using ex-US Air Force stocks parked in permanent storage at Davis-Monthan AFB.

The Fun Falcon company, founded by retired aerospace engineer Barry Billaker, intends to offer the demilitarised and heavily redesigned fighter for joy rides and private transport.

The concept targets the same wealthy clientele once courted by the Bede BD-10 and ATG Javelin projects, which failed during development.



Unlike these attempts, Billaker notes, the Fun Falcon relies on a proven and already popular airframe. Although the design changes appear substantial, Billaker describes them as only "minor tweaks".

The canopy and cockpit is modified to accomodate four passengers seated two-abreast in two rows. This striking change to the outer mould-line incorporates both longitudinal and lateral plugs, Billaker says.



Billaker describes the effect as evoking the tandem-seat Sukhoi Su-34 and the curvalinear design shaping pioneered by the Northrop Tacit Blue experimental aircraft. The latter allows the Fun Falcon improved aerodynamic performance, Billaker says, resulting in no detectable drag penalty compared to the original F-16A.

Fun Falcon has acquired the first F-16A from the Davis-Monthan "boneyard", and modifications have already begun, Billaker says.



US export clearance was cleared on grounds that sales of the demilitarised Fun Falcon would be applied to fund several needed upgrades of operational F-16s, he adds.

Billaker refuses to identify his investors specifically, but notes they are a diverse group representing very wealthy individuals in the US, Europe and China.

http://www.flightglo...f-f-16a-370201/

[matteo16]

Il Viper da i numeri

3/4/2012 - 9:20 pm

Lockheed Martin: consegnato F-16 n. 4500

È un Block 52 per il Marocco il 4500° caccia F-16 costruito dall’inizio della produzione in serie nel 1975 da parte dell’allora General Dynamics. Lockheed Martin, l’attuale costruttore del monomotore, ha sottolineato l’evento con una cerimonia nel proprio stabilimento di Fort Worth, in Texas. L’aereo è tuttora in produzione per Turchia, Marocco, Egitto, Oman e Iraq.

Link

Link

Questo messaggio è stato modificato da matteo16: 04 aprile 2012 - 20:04

[TT-1 Pinto]

Nuove prospettive circa la vendita di nuovi F-16 a Taiwan ....

Quota

US to re-visit F-16 C/D sales to Taiwan 

By: Greg Waldron - Singapore (1 hours ago)

Source:

The United States will re-visit the sale of Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D fighter aircraft to Taiwan, less than one year after shunning Taipei's request for new fighters.

Washington's apparent change of position became public on the web site of Texas senator John Cornyn, an implacable supporter of an F-16 C/D sale to Taipei. Cornyn, whose constituency includes Fort Worth, where Lockheed Martin has a major manufacturing presence, published a letter from Robert Nabors, assistant to the president and director of the office of legislative affairs.

"We are mindful of and share your concerns about Taiwan's growing shortfall in fighter aircraft as the [Northrop] F-5s are retired from service and notwithstanding the upgrade of the F-16A/Bs," writes Nabor.

"We recognize that China has 2,300 operational combat aircraft, while our democratic partner Taiwan has only 490. We are committed to assisting Taiwan in addressing the disparity in numbers of aircraft through our work with Taiwan's defence ministry on its development of a comprehensive defence strategy vis-à-vis China."

He adds that the issue will be a "high priority" for the next assistant secretary of defence.

"The assistant secretary, in consultation with the inter-agency and congress, will play a lead role as the administration decides on a near-term course of action on how to address Taiwan's fighter gap, including the sale to Taiwan of an undetermined number of new U.S.-made fighter aircraft."

The news will infuriate Beijing, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province.

Taipei has consistently requested 66 F-16 C/Ds, but has been continuously rebuffed. Instead, in 2011 Washington offered to upgrade 152 F-16A/Bs. If implemented as per the original Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement, the package would make Taiwan's F-16s among the most capable in the world.

It envisaged 176 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, 176 Terma ALQ-213 electronic warfare management systems, 128 joint helmet-mounted cueing systems and several other avionics and systems upgrades.

If Washington decides to offer Taiwan more fighters, it could possibly offer the F-16V variant that Lockheed announced at the Singapore Airshow in February. Roughly equivalent to the F-16 Block 60, the F-16V is available both as an upgrade and as a new-build aircraft.

La lettera .... http://blogs.defense...tter-cornyn.pdf

[matteo16]

Sarebbe un bell'acquisto per Taiwan la nuova versione V del Viper...






Link in italiano

Questo messaggio è stato modificato da matteo16: 02 maggio 2012 - 17:20

[TT-1 Pinto]

Vendita di nuovi F-16 a Taiwan .... un passo avanti .... sempre che non ne vengano poi fatti due indietro .....

Quota

US House of Representatives mandates Taiwan F-16 sale ....

Fonte .... .... http://www.flightglo...16-sale-372084/