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F-16 Fighting Falcon News
First Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 completes successful test flight, marking a milestone in Bulgarian Defense
October 24, 2024 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
On October 22, at 09:30h, the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 took to the skies for a successful test flight at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
![BVVS F-16 block 70 #311 successfully completes its first flight, showcasing 21st Century Security capabilities, at Greenville IAP on October 22nd, 2024. [Lockheed Martin photo]](https://www.f-16.net/g3/var/resizes/f-16-photos/album37/album163/311_002.jpg?m=1734959563)
Test pilot Charles "Seeker" Hoag conducted various system tests to validate the aircraft’s advanced capabilities, including performance assessments and supersonic functionality.
This F-16 Block 70 jet (#311) is the first of 16 that will be delivered to Bulgaria, marking a significant modernization step for the nation’s air force. Bulgaria initially signed a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft in 2019. The nation further expanded its fleet with a second LOA for an additional eight jets in 2022, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening defense capabilities in alignment with NATO standards.
The F-16 Block 70/72, the latest in the renowned Fighting Falcon family, incorporates cutting-edge radar, avionics, and weapons systems to enhance mission success in modern combat environments. Bulgaria will become the second European nation to operate the Block 70 variant, joining an expanding list of countries opting for this advanced fighter.
Currently, the F-16 is operated by 27 countries, with six nations, including Bulgaria, selecting the Block 70/72 configuration to modernize their fleets.
BVVS F-16 block 70 #311 successfully completes its first flight, showcasing 21st Century Security capabilities, at Greenville IAP on October 22nd, 2024. [Lockheed Martin photo]
This F-16 Block 70 jet (#311) is the first of 16 that will be delivered to Bulgaria, marking a significant modernization step for the nation’s air force. Bulgaria initially signed a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft in 2019. The nation further expanded its fleet with a second LOA for an additional eight jets in 2022, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening defense capabilities in alignment with NATO standards.
The F-16 Block 70/72, the latest in the renowned Fighting Falcon family, incorporates cutting-edge radar, avionics, and weapons systems to enhance mission success in modern combat environments. Bulgaria will become the second European nation to operate the Block 70 variant, joining an expanding list of countries opting for this advanced fighter.
Currently, the F-16 is operated by 27 countries, with six nations, including Bulgaria, selecting the Block 70/72 configuration to modernize their fleets.
Additional images:
![The first Bulgarian F-16 block 70 #311 takes to the skies at Greenville IAP on October 22nd, 2024. [Lockheed Martin photo]](https://www.f-16.net/g3/var/thumbs/f-16-photos/album37/album163/311_001.jpg?m=1734959558)
![Lockheed Martin test pilot Charles 'Seeker' Hoag prepares to conduct the first flight of Bulgarian F-16 block 70 #311. [Lockheed Martin photo]](https://www.f-16.net/g3/var/thumbs/f-16-photos/album37/album163/311-1277442228.jpg?m=1734959554)
The first Bulgarian F-16 block 70 #311 takes to the skies at Greenville IAP on October 22nd, 2024. [Lockheed Martin photo]
Lockheed Martin test pilot Charles 'Seeker' Hoag prepares to conduct the first flight of Bulgarian F-16 block 70 #311. [Lockheed Martin photo]