The current production version of the Fighting Falcon is Block 50/52. It was produced in parallel with the Block 40/42, beginning in 1991.
The Block 42 F-16C/D weighed over 3000 pounds more than the earlier F-16A/B, but had approximately the same engine thrust. In addition, the Block 40/42 was expected to carry much heavier and bulkier loads, which called for much more engine power, especially at low altitudes. More engine power was clearly required.
In support of this requirement, the USAF launched a project known as Increased Performance Engine (IPE) to develop more powerful versions of both the F100 and F110. The results were the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 and the General Electric the F110-GE-129, both of which offered significantly more takeoff thrust and better performance at high speeds at low level.
The F100-PW-229 combines the core of the -220 with a new low-pressure section and an improved augmenter, giving about 22 percent more thrust. This improved performance brings the F100 nearly up to the performance level of the F110. The F100-PW-229 is lighter and more powerful than earlier F100s, and had been flying at Edwards AFB since mid-1990 in test ship 81-0816.
The F110-GE-129 introduced internal changes to make it possible for the engine to run hotter. The -129 engine offers about a ten-percent increase in high-altitude thrust and about a 30 percent increase in high-speed, low-level thrust.
Block 50/52 F-16s are powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 and the General Electric F110-GE-129 respectively.
The first Block 50 F-16 (90-0801) flew for the first time on October 22, 1991, with company test pilot Keith Giles at the controls. The first Block 50 F-16D (90-0834) took off on its first flight on April 1, 1992, with Steve Barter and Bland Smith on board. The first Block 50 F-16 was delivered to the USAF in November of 1993, with the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah being the first recpient.
The first Block 52 F-16C (90-0809) was made on October 22, 1992, with Steve Barter, and the first Block 52 F-16D (90-0893) flew for the first time on November 24, 1992, with Joe Sweeney and Steve Barter at the controls. The 23rd FS based at Spangdahlem in Germany was the first USAFE unit to receive the Block 50, which arrived in 1993.
The Block 50/52 carries the Northrop Grumman APG-68(V5) radar, which has a high-speed integrated circuit signal processor which makes the unit twice as fast as the radar of the Block 40/42. In additional, the radar is considerably more reliable than the earlier unit. The signal processor improves the radar's reliability and performance in electronic countermeasures.
The Block 50/52 is capable of carrying the Raytheon AGM-88B HARM antiradiation missile. In order to make this missile compatible with the F-16, a HARM Avionics Launcher Interface Computer is fitted. This computer is used to pre-program the HARM missile with the bearing and range of the target before launch, so that the HARM will be able to reach the vicinity of the target The Block 50/52 also introduced the Texas Instruments AN/ASQ-213 HARM Targeting System pod which eanbles the F-16 to locate and identify enemy emitters, which makes it possible for the aircraft to operate as an independent Wild Weasel SEAD aircraft. Although the Block 30 F-16C could carry the HARM as well, these aircraft lacked the electronics and the load carring ability to fully exploit the weapon. With the advent of the ASQ-213 HARM targeting system, the Block 50 can act as a truly effective SEAD aircraft, filling the gap left by the retirement of the F-4G. The USAF has unofficially adopted the designation F-16CJ for the HARM-capable Block 50/52 F-16C.
The Block 50/52 was also capable of carrying the new Northrop AGM-137 Tri-Service Stand-Off Attack Missile (TSSAM) stand-off attack missile, but this was cancelled in December of 1994.
The Block 50/52 carries the Lockheed Martin (formerly Loral) AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver which replaces the ALR-69 on earlier F-16 versions. The presence of this unit can be identified by the presence of can-like antennae on the wing leading edge. The AN/ALR-56M has been retrofitted into all USAF F-16C/Ds. The block 50/52 also carries the improved AN/ALE-47 Group A chaff/flare dispenser system. However, the Block 50/52 F-16s are not LANTIRN-capable, and they have the old-style Block 30 heads-up display.
On December 9, 1992, it was announced that Lockheed had bought out the Fort Worth Division of General Dynamics for 1.525 billion dollars in cash. The plant would henceforth be known as the Lockheed Fort Worth Company. This marked the end of production of complete aircraft by General Dynamics, the remaining elements of the company now being involved only in the manufacture of submarines, the M1A1 tank, airliner components, missiles, space systems, and electronics. The manufacture of the F-16 would, however, still continue at Fort Worth, with the aircraft now being known as the Lockheed F-16.
Serials of Block 50/52 F-16C/D:
90-801/804 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon
90-805/808 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50A Fighting Falcon
90-809 General Dynamics F-16C Block 52A Fighting Falcon
90-810/812 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50A Fighting Falcon
90-813/833 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50B Fighting Falcon
814 w/o Oct 25, 1994.
823 w/o 2/8/94, Gatlinburg, TN
832 w/o May 24, 1993, Mineral Wells, TX
90-834/838 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50A Fighting Falcon
90-839 General Dynamics F-16D Block 52A Fighting Falcon
90-840/841 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50A Fighting Falcon
90-842/849 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50B Fighting Falcon
849 w/o Jan 13, 1995, Durbuy
91-336/338 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50B Fighting Falcon
91-339/359 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50C Fighting Falcon
350 w/o Oct 8, 1993, Rome, NY
353 (F-16CJ) of 78th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron,
31st Air Expeditionary Wing shot down MiG-29
with AIM-120B May 4, 1999.
354 crashed Pensacola, FL Jul 11, 1996.
91-360/361 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-362 General Dynamics F-16C Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-363/369 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-370 General Dynamics F-16C Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-371/373 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-374 General Dynamics F-16C Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-375/385 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-386 General Dynamics F-16C Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-387/391 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-392/393 General Dynamics F-16C Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-394/400 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-401 General Dynamics F-16C Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-402/403 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-404 General Dynamics F-16C Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-405/412 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-413 General Dynamics F-16C Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-414/423 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-424/461 General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
contract cancelled
91-462/465 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50C Fighting Falcon
91-466/467 General Dynamics F-16D Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-468/469 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-470 General Dynamics F-16D Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-471/472 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-473 General Dynamics F-16D Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-474 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-475 General Dynamics F-16D Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-476/477 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-478/479 General Dynamics F-16D Block 52D Fighting Falcon
91-480/481 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50D Fighting Falcon
91-482/485 General Dynamics F-16D Block 50D Fighting Falcon
contract cancelled
92-3880/3882 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3883/3884 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3885 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3886/3887 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3888/3890 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3891/3895 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3896 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3897 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3898/3899 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3900/3901 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
3900 (F-16CJ, 13th FS) w/o Jan 21, 1999
92-3902/3903 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3904 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3905 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3906/3907 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3908/3909 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3910 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3911 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3912/3913 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3914 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3915 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3916/3917 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3918/3921 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3922 Lockheed F-16C Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-3923 Lockheed F-16C Block 50P Fighting Falcon
92-3924/3927 Lockheed F-16D Block 52P Fighting Falcon
92-4000 Lockheed F-16C Block 52G Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-000
92-4001 Lockheed F-16C Block 52H Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-001
92-4002/4003 Lockheed F-16C Block 52J Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-002/003
92-4004/4008 Lockheed F-16C Block 52K Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-004/008
92-4009/4013 Lockheed F-16C Block 52L Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-009/013
92-4014/4017 Lockheed F-16C Block 52M Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-014/017
92-4018/4027 Lockheed F-16C Block 52N Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-018/027
92-4028/4031 Lockheed F-16D Block 52G Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-028/031
92-4032/4037 Lockheed F-16D Block 52H Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-032/037
92-4038 Lockheed F-16D Block 52K Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-038
92-4039 Lockheed F-16D Block 52L Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-039
92-4040/4041 Lockheed F-16D Block 52M Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-040/041
92-4042/4047 Lockheed F-16D Block 52N Fighting Falcon
for Korea as 92-042/047
93-315/453 Lockheed F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon
contract cancelled
93-454/464 Lockheed F-16D Block 50 Fighting Falcon
contract cancelled
93-531 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-166
93-532 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-167
93-533 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-168
93-534 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-169
93-535 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-170
93-536 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-171
93-537 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-172
93-538 Lockheed F-16CJ Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-173.
93-539 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-174
93-540 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-175
93-541 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-176
93-542 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-177
93-543 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-178
93-544 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-179
93-545 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-180
93-546 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-181
93-547 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-182
93-548 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-183
93-549 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-184
93-550 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-185
93-551 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-186
93-552 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-187
93-553 Lockheed F-16C Block 52Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-188
93-554 Lockheed F-16C Block 50Q Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-189
93-1045/1076 Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 50D Fighting Falcon
c/n TC-1/TC-32. To Greece as 045/076
93-1077/1084 Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 50D Fighting Falcon
c/n TD-1/TD-8. To Greece as 077/084
93-4048/4099 Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52D Fighting Falcon
c/n KC-29/KC-80. To South Korea
93-4100/4119 Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 52D Fighting Falcon
c/n KD-21/KD-40. To South Korea
94-038/049 Lockheed F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-190/CC-201
94-071/096 Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon
c/n HC-36/HC-60. Under licence by TAI
To Turkey as 94-071/096
94-097/104 Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon
c/n HC-61/HC-68. Under licence by TAI
To Turkey as 94-097/104. Contract cancelled
94-105/110 Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 50 Fighting Falcon
c/n HD-7/HD-12. Under licence by TAI
To Turkey as 94-105/110
94-268/273 Lockheed F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon
c/n DA-1/8. To Singapore
94-274/283 Lockheed F-16D Block 52 Fighting Falcon
c/n DB-1/10. To Singapore
94-1557/1564 Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 50 Fighting Falcon
c/n HD-13/HD-20. under licence by TAI. to Turkey
96-080/085 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 50 Fighting Falcon
c/n CC-202/207
96-5025/5029 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 52 Fighting Falcon
to Singapore (lease)
96-5030/5031 Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 52 Fighting Falcon
for Singapore (lease)
96-5032/5036 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 52 Fighting Falcon
to Singapore (lease)
99-082 Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon
plus later contracts. This list is almost certainly incomplete and I would (as always) appreciate hearing from anyone who has additions or corrections.
Specification of Lockheed/General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon:
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan, 23,770 lb.s.t. with afterburning or one General Electric F110-GE-100 turbofan, 28,984 lb.s.t with afterburning. Performance (at 27,245 pounds with F100 engine): Maximum short-endurance speed: Mach 2.02 (1333 mph) at 40,000 feet. Maximum sustained speed Mach 1.89 (1247 mph) at 40,000 feet. Tactical radius (hi-lo-hi interdiction on internal fuel with six 500-lb bombs) 360 miles. Maximum ferry range 2450 miles with maximum external fuel. Dimensions: wingspan 31 feet 0 inches, length 49 fee5 4 inches, height 16 feet 8 1/2 inches, wing area 300 square feet. Weights: 18,238 pounds empty, 26,463 pounds normal loaded (air-to-air mission), 42,300 pounds maximum takeoff. Armament: One 20-mm M61A1 rotary cannon and up to 12,430 pounds of ordnance or fuel distibuted between one fuselage centerline and six underwing stations, plus wingtip stations. An AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile is normally carried on each wingtip station.
Sources:
-
Combat Aircraft F-16, Doug Richardson, Crescent, 1992.
-
General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors, John Wegg,
Naval Institute Press, 1990.
-
The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers,
Orion, 1987.
-
United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough
and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.
-
F-16 Fighting Falcon--A Major Review of the West's Universal
Warplane, Robert F. Dorr, World Airpower Journal, Spring 1991.
-
The World's Great Interceptor Aircraft, Gallery, 1989.
-
Modern Military Aircraft--F-16 Viper, Lou Drendel, Squadron/Signal
Publications, 1992.
-
Lockheed F-16 Variants, Part 1, World Airpower Journal, Volume 21,
Summer 1995.
-
Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 40 and Beyond, Bill Sweetman, World AirPower Journal, Vol 36,
Spring 1999
- E-mail from Jim Chalmers on Block 50 being powered by Pratt & Whitney engines and Block 52 being powered by General Electric engines.
