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Veteran Joined: Mar 11, 2008 Posts: 336 Status: Offline

Any betting people here?

I'd bet LockMart could sweeten a deal to satisfy any required advanced Viper system happen.

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Elite Joined: Mar 14, 2005 Posts: 683 Status: Offline

I bet against.

Here is some of my reasoning.

1. The Block 60s were VERY expensive (compared to other Vipers) as they were a limited run funded by UAE.
2. The F110-GE-132 is also a limited run engine funded by UAE. RNlAF has no GE support structure and would require 100% new tooling/logistics for GE engines of any type.
3. The RNlAF already has support structure for PW F100 engines. Tooling for PW-229s are about 70% common to the PW-220s already used there.
4. The RNlAF already has support for MLU Vipers which are more common to a Block 50/52+, block 60 have almost entirely new systems.

Just some points to ponder...

The odds of that will be slim to none...

Is the Israeli F-16I"sufa" is equivalent if not the same as the blk 60? Are they using 129s or 132? I thought I saw them with a GE. Lots of other funky looking stuff on those jets.

Elite Joined: Mar 14, 2005 Posts: 683 Status: Offline

TimmayMan wrote:

Is the Israeli F-16I"sufa" is equivalent if not the same as the blk 60? Are they using 129s or 132? I thought I saw them with a GE. Lots of other funky looking stuff on those jets.

The F-16I "Sufa" is based on block 52+ Viper, it uses the F100-PW-229 engine, (not the GE-129 or GE-132)

You may be confusing the "Sufa" (Blk 52+) with the "Barak" (Blk 40) that has the GE-100. (not the GE-129 or GE-132 either)

IAF has not purchased GE powered Vipers since 1993.

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Odds of RNlAF going with a Block 60 Viper?