F-16 Block 60 first flight

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by F16VIPER » 07 Dec 2003, 04:48

Lockheed Martin Enters New Era of Advanced F-16 Capability With Successful F-16 Block 60 First Flight

Saturday December 6 2003, 5:34 pm ET

FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 6 -- The newest, most advanced Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT - News) F-16 completed a successful first flight today.
The aircraft is the first of the Block 60 line, which has been designated the F-16E/F version. It is the first of 80 F-16E/F Block 60 aircraft being produced for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under an order placed in early 2000.

"The first flight of the new F-16E/F is a major milestone in the long F-16 legacy," said Dain M. Hancock, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. "With the Block 60, we have introduced a whole new generation of capability that sets the current world standard for multirole fighters."

The aircraft's designation, F-16E/F, recognizes the major structural, avionics and propulsion enhancements in this practically all-new version of the Fighting Falcon. The last designation change, the F-16C/D, was introduced with the Block 25 version in 1984.

Following takeoff, Lockheed Martin F-16E/F chief test pilot Steve Barter put the F-16 through an initial flight-test profile that included evaluation of the on-board avionics systems and aircraft handling characteristics. Flight duration was about 50 minutes.
"This was not just an 'around the airfield' exercise," Barter said. "We flew some important test points and made this a meaningful flight-test sortie. Not only was this important historically, it was the first and crucial element of our flight-test program."
"First flight affirms our commitment to produce the world's most cutting-edge fighter, which cannot be rivaled in its combination of speed, technology and capability," said John L. Bean, Lockheed Martin vice president for F-16 programs.

The F-16E/F resembles earlier F-16 aircraft in appearance only. Internally, the Block 60 has an all-new cockpit that features all-digital instruments and three 5x7-inch color displays. It is powered by a General Electric F110-GE-132 engine that produces 32,500 pounds of thrust. Additionally, the F-16E/F features a new avionics suite with highlights including a revolutionary Electronic Warfare (EW) system, the new APG-80 Agile Beam Radar (ABR) and a new Integrated FLIR Targeting System (IFTS), all provided by Northrop Grumman.

First production deliveries of the UAE aircraft are slated for April 2004.

The F-16 is the choice of 24 countries. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered worldwide from assembly lines in five countries. The F-16 program recently marked 25 years of continuous production deliveries and has forged relationships leading to unprecedented international cooperation. Hundreds more aircraft are on order, and production is expected to continue beyond 2010. Major upgrades for all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.


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by Habu » 07 Dec 2003, 05:31

:D :D :D

I heart first flights!
woohoo!!
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by Lieven » 08 Dec 2003, 11:17

See also our forum topic <a href="index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=276">F-16 Block 60 informal roll-out</a>

For block 60 rollout pictures, check our <a href="modules.php?set_albumName=album42&op=modload&name=PhotoGallery&file=index&include=view_album.php">photo gallery</a>


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by MrFalconFixer » 08 Dec 2003, 17:38

Here are some pictures from Dec 6. :lol:
Attachments
rf1flightjpg.jpg


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by elp » 08 Dec 2003, 18:26

On that top photo, for just a brief second, I thought of the Texas Air National Guard Flag :D
Last edited by elp on 08 Dec 2003, 18:30, edited 1 time in total.
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by Habu » 08 Dec 2003, 18:26

Schaweeet!
Tnx!
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by F16VIPER » 08 Dec 2003, 23:53

First flight photo
Attachments
f16pr031206_lr.jpg


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by Pumpkin » 09 Dec 2003, 00:08

:shock: Sorry guys, does N16ILM means anything worths mention?

cheers, :D
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by Habu » 09 Dec 2003, 00:10

What about the N number? We knew it would have it ;)
Last edited by Habu on 09 Dec 2003, 02:54, edited 1 time in total.
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by F16VIPER » 09 Dec 2003, 01:53

Movie of first flight. 48 MB in this link
http://www.lmaeronautics.com/gallery/vi ... 3_214A.mpg


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by Habu » 09 Dec 2003, 03:03

WOW! They made that movie in 2 days?!?
Excellent! I like! I like!
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by habu2 » 09 Dec 2003, 03:55

Hey I think I saw my house in that video... (just kidding)

That civil registration number sure looks strange on there. Come to think of it the AFT prototypes (YF-22 & YF-23) had civil registrations too.


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by habu2 » 11 Dec 2003, 20:07

I have seen the statements that say the UAE is buying 80 F-16E/Fs. The first flight photos show a two-seat model and, while it is almost a given assumption, this must be the F-16F with the single seater being the F-16E. I have not heard any breakdowns on how many single seat Es and two seat Fs make up the 80 aircraft but, to read the press reports, you would think there is only one version - the F-16E/F (as opposed to the F-16E and F-16F). Thoughts?


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by Habu » 11 Dec 2003, 20:21

Which press are you talking about? The aviation press are usually pretty good about making the distinction. the regular press can suck it! They never get aviation report right.
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by habu2 » 11 Dec 2003, 21:18

Here are all the LM press releases I could find on their site. None of them mention the composition of the 80 aircraft buy, none of them ever distinguish between a single seat E and a two seat F. Only the "F-16E/F" is ever mentioned. I just find that curious, and it makes me wonder about this new "name game".

http://www.lmaeronautics.com/news/progr ... 00710.html

http://www.lmaeronautics.com/news/progr ... 20724.html

http://www.lmaeronautics.com/news/progr ... 30523.html

http://www.lmaeronautics.com/news/progr ... 31206.html

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives ... index.html

On a similar note, it looks like all of the Block 52+ "F-16I"s are all two seat models. Hmmmm.


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