Venezuelan F-16s

[HaroldHutchison]

Does anyone have the specs on the Venezeulan F-16s? Block numbers, weapons loadouts, any custom work, etc.?

It's for a novel. Thanks.

[Juan]

Hi Harold,

Venezuela received 24 F-16s between 1983 and 1985. These were 18 F-16A and 6 F-16B, all built to Block 15 configuration. Originally they were armed with AIM-9P-4 as the main air to air armament, the typical Mk.8x series of bombs with slik and AIR tails, CBUs on (to me) an unkown type and Durandal anti-runway munitions.

Starting in the early 90's they started getting some modifications. The first of these was the addition of a new ISN system (I have the specific type, but not with me here at the office). Later it also received the Elisra SPS-1000 RWR, and the FAV also got AIM-9Ls for its Vipers. In 1997 the FAV received its firsts Litening navigation and targeting pods, and a unspecified number of GBUs, including GBU-10 Paweway IIIs. As part of the work, the standard F-16A Block 15 display was changed for a modern MFD. More recently the original F-100-PW-200 engines were upgraded by Samsung in Korea to the PW-220E model.

So far 3 F-16's have been lost in accidents (two B serials 2179 and 9581, as well as one A, 6611). 9581 and 6611 appaerently went down due to bird strikes and subsequent loss of engine power, and all three pilots ejected. However, 2179 was apparently caused by human error when practicing a routine for an airshow in 1995. Both pilots were killed.

Should you want more detail feel free to ask and I'll provide you with what I can.

May I ask what the novel is about?

[HaroldHutchison]

The novel's a techno-thriller set in South America. Can't say much more than that right now.

[Commando]

Does Venezuela have any plans of ordering more F-16s ?.

[HaroldHutchison]

Does Venezuela have any plans of ordering more F-16s ?.

Chavez appears to be leaning towards the purchase of MiGs from Russia.

[Guest]

Originally Venezuela was going to purchase 72 F-16s, but do to economical problems this was impossible. Chavez has shown interest in the purchase of over 50 Mig-29 aircraft, but this is doubtfull sense they have not been aprooved by the FAV officials in any of the three trials that have been done on the aircraft. Venezuela is looking foward to upgrading its F-16s in Israel, and it recently purchased an unknown amount of Phython-4 air-to-air missiles.

[habu2]

Here are the numbers I have:

Peace Delta - 18 F-16As and 6 F-16Bs, all Block 15.

FMS# . . . . . . . . . FAV#
82-1050 . F-16A . 1041
82-1051 . F-16A . 0051
82-1052 . F-16A . 6611
82-1053 . F-16B . 1715
82-1054 . F-16B . 2179
82-1055 . F-16B . 9581
83-1186 . F-16A . 5422 (or 9068)
83-1187 . F-16A . 0049
83-1188 . F-16A . 0678
83-1189 . F-16B . 2337
83-1190 . F-16B . 7635
83-1191 . F-16B . 9583
84-1346 . F-16A . 7268
84-1347 . F-16A . 9864
84-1348 . F-16A . 8924
84-1349 . F-16A . 8900
84-1350 . F-16A . 6023
84-1351 . F-16A . 3260
84-1352 . F-16A . 4226
84-1353 . F-16A . 6426
84-1354 . F-16A . 4827
84-1355 . F-16A . 9068 (or 5422)
84-1356 . F-16A . 3648
84-1357 . F-16A . 0220

GregD

[Guest]

The GBUs that Venezuela received were kits to modify Mk bombs already in service in Venezuela, therefore Venezuela has GBU_10 and GBU-12.

Venezuela also has in its arsenals about 17 Mirage 50 EV/ED, armed with AM-39 Exocets, R.550 Matra Magic, R.555 Matra Magic 2, ASL-30, free fall bombs, and Durandals. Venezuela also poses a fleet of F-5, but only the two-seaters are in service serving as advanced trainers until the AMX-T arrives.

Venezuela also poses one of the most advanced Anti-aricraft systems in the area. It has Israeli Barak missiles, RBS-70, 40/60 mm Rafaga, 40/60 mm Fenix, TCM-20 Mk-5, MAtra Mistral, Roland 2.

If you want for information on Venezuelan armed forces you will find a lot of information on http://www.fav-club.com.