F-16.net

A little bit off-topic, but:

Quote:

Currently, many different countries fly the F-16. The current production model is the block 50/52 F-16 CJ/DJ aircraft. Future block upgrades to the aircraft, including the block 50 plus and block 55 upgrades would enable the aircraft to deliver more advanced weapons is inferrioir conditions.

http://www.geocities.com/~jask16/airforce/F-16.html

F-16.net Sponsor

"Block 55" Question

It seems that there is the possibility that the cockpit footage does not come from the F-16I but from F-16D Brakeet?

Those folks of public relations put a video of anything but the Suefa in the cameracrew's hand and saying that it came from the Suefa.

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 Posts: 902

JanHas, I shared your sentiments. But after I run thru' the clip again. I think it is the Sufa's cockpit.

The MFD (where the WSO turned off the, I believe, TGP page) looks like a CMFD to me. The Barak's MFD should be having green text. Unless, they have already changed the Barak's avionics suite. In addition, the cockpit looks really new to me. Lastly, not sure if you have noticed, there is this indicator right of the ADI, it looks alien to me Shocked

.

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 Posts: 902

guys, I believe no one will violently reject if I suggest 55 is an invalid block number?

I guess it was loosely used to refer to the advanced 50/52 or variants higher than the 50/52 but not a 60. Another thought though, but I seriously don't believe 55 = CCIP/CUPID Shocked

.

Quote:

55 is an invalid block number?

Depends how you look at it. The latest Blocks are either x0 or x2, but from the other side, there where blocks 1,5,15 and 25, so why no 55?

Quote:

...so why no 55?

Because GD/LMTAS NEVER defined or produced a Block 55... or 45... or 35. Just because some guy with a freebie geocities site says theres a Block 55 doesn't make it so. I have first-hand knowledge of the F-16 Block structure, and there is not and never has been anything called a Block 55.

I know that Habu2, what I was saying is that it's not that "55" is "not valid" (because GD/LMTAS already had blocks numbers finishing with x5), it's just has never been created.

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 Posts: 902

DeepSpace wrote:

I know that Habu2, what I was saying is that it's not that "55" is "not valid" (because GD/LMTAS already had blocks numbers finishing with x5), it's just has never been created.

sorry DeepSpace, I guess if GD/LMTAS has never created 55, it is invalid. Cool

In any case, I believe the x2 and x0 designation started only when GE was given a contract for full-scale development of the new Viper engine, after block 25. Hence, there was x5 before 30 and 32.

This is an interesting topic, perhaps the Editor can move it, and start a thread by itself.

Very Happy

Sorry Pumpkin, I thought that you meant in "invalid" as "illegal" or something Wink

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 Posts: 902

no worries DeepSpace, glad that we have a common understanding now. Wink

But it turn out, Block 55 is not an invalid block number after all. And this time, it was mentioned in a creditable source, Code One Magazine, Dated 1997.

Keeping up with all the varieties of the F-16 through the years is no small task. The fact that most changes were made in groups, or blocks, to track things on the production line simplifies the job. Block is an important term in tracing the F-16's evolution. Basically, a block is a numerical milestone. The block number increases whenever a new production configuration for the F-16 is established. The first production aircraft that followed the two YF prototypes and the eight full-scale development F-16s, for example, were Blocks 1 and 5. Today, the latest F-16s are designated Block 50/52. Block 50 has a General Electric engine. Block 52 has a Pratt and Whitney engine. (From Block 30/32 on, a major block designation ending in 0 signifies a General Electric engine; one ending in 2 signifies a Pratt & Whitney engine.) Block 55 and Block 60 are often used to describe concepts for advanced versions of the F-16, but the terms do not indicate engine selection.

link here Very Happy

Thanks Pumpkin for clearing things up Smile

.

Just one more question,

Quote:

Block 55 and Block 60 are often used to describe concepts for advanced versions of the F-16, but the terms do not indicate engine selection.

Does this mean that there's no Block 62? What engine does the Block 60 have?

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 Posts: 902

DeepSpace, you're welcome. Cool

DeepSpace wrote:

Does this mean that there's no Block 62? What engine does the Block 60 have?

Though it was mentioned in the article, I will go with habu2's response, there isn't a Block 55 today. I guess the 55 and 60 mentioned, was only a conceptual idea then. Hence, the statement is not totally correct for today Block60.

The UAE Block60 is powered by GE F110-GE-132 engine. (F-16.net article)

To my best knowledge, there isn't a potential Block 62 operator yet. From PW link, the latest power plant is still the -229. But I believe the PW R&D team is working to match GE thrust power, as we speak. In fact, before UAE chose GE to power their Viper, the -229A was put forward to contest the contract. Hence, I think there will be a 62 in the near future, if there is a demand. Hope this helps.

Thanks again Wink

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 Posts: 902

no worries DeepSpace, treat us with more de-classified Sufa news. Wink

F-16.net

Forum: General

Cool F-16I TV article