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Okay, I'm Dutch and the RNlAF is a great AF (don't know how the world views us, but I think were pretty cool Wink

). Now here's the problem (or not), we have Block 15, Block 20 MLU. Whilst the US has Block 30, Block 40 and 50+. Poland even has Block 52. So I thought that our equipment is pretty outdated. Now here's the question: How does that work with Blocks? Is Block 40 much much better than Block 30 or so? And what effect has an MLU?

If it isn't al classified, against OPSEC or anything else I could get thrown in jail for Wink

. I would like a solid, understandble anwser (keep in mind, I'm 16 and not a pilot).

Regards,
Tim

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Elite 2K Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 2616 Status: Offline

Tim, these articles should give you the best information.

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions.html

Production blocks for USAF Vipers went from Blk. 15 for As and Bs to Blk. 25 for Cs and Ds. These first C and D models were still powered by PW F100s. Blk. 30/32 was when the GE engines were first offered for the F-16. Afterwards, all block numbers from 30, onwards, ending in "0" were powered by GE F110s. All blocks ending in "2" were PW-powered.

As far as the Blk. 20MLU, the article can give you a better answer than I can, but IIRC, it was a further extention of the Blk. 15 A/B fleet, with a Mid Life Update (hence, MLU). Blk. 20s were only offered to allied nations. The USAF never bought any. However, Luke operates a number of Blk. 20s for allied instructional purposes.

The RNLAF F-16's are old Block 10's and Block 15's yes. But with the ongoing MLU upgrades they keep getting updated. Our F-16's are about equal to the USAF's Block 52's. And while Poland is getting the latest Block 52+ version we will be getting the F-35 in a couple of years which will be a very big increase over the F-16 in terms of capabilities.

Even the US 40/42s are getting upgrades to make them almost common with 50/52. (Color displays, helmet display, night-vis, weapons etc)

Active Member Joined: Apr 22, 2004 Posts: 144

Until about 4 years ago, the different blocks could be used to determine what the F-16's main mission was in the USAF. Block 25's and 30's (30's were the first F-16's to be built for both GE and PW engines) were the transition F-16 from A/B to C/D's. 30's eventually became synonymous with the Guard and Reserve and have undergone extensive upgrades to expand their role from primarily dumb iron haulers to precision/accurate weapons droppers. The Block 40's were designed in the late 80's to be LANTIRN platforms and precision munitions droppers. The Block 50's were developed in the late 80's and early 90's as primarily the HARM targeting platforms (taking over for the F-4G's). Now with the latest updates, 40's and 50's (used to be CG's and CJ's) are being called M's due to the CCIP upgrade making them almost exactly the same. 40's can now carry the HTS pod and be used as HARM platforms. The NVIS upgrade is not part of CCIP. All jets were previously modified back in 2000-2001. The latest Block 30's can almost do everything the CCIP 40's and 50's can, Color MFD's, Link-16, HMS and advanced precision weapons and missiles. Block 30's even used to do the HARM mission, although with out the HTS pods (think limited SEAD ability).

That explains a lot! Thanks Guys!

Tim

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