F-16 Block 70 makes maiden flight, first aircraft destined for Bahrain

The first Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon made its maiden flight on 24 January, ahead of its delivery to Bahrain.

The twin-seat F-16D conducted its first test flight out of Lockheed Martin's new Greenville facility in South Carolina, with the manufacturer saying the approximately 50-minute flight included airworthiness checks, such as engine, flight control, and fuel system checks, as well as basic aircraft handling.

The F-16 Block 70 represents the latest standard of the F-16 that made its maiden flight in 1974. It features the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar (derived from the F-16E/F Block 60 AN/APG-80 and also known as the Scalable Agile Beam Radar), a new Raytheon mission computer, the Link 16 datalink, modern cockpit displays, an enhanced electronic warfare system, and a ground collision avoidance system.

The Block 70 designation denotes a new-build aircraft that is powered by a General Electric F100-GE-129D engine, with a Block 72 designation denoting a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine enhancement package (EEP) powerplant. Earlier block aircraft that are remanufactured to the Block 70/72 standard are designated F-16V (the maiden flight of an F-16V took place in 2017, with Taiwan being the first customer). This international Block 70/72 and F-16V standard is analogous to the latest M7 configuration flown by the US Air Force (USAF).

Source: Janes Defence News by Gareth Jennings, 25 January 2023

Photo: The first F-16 Block 70 shortly after departing on its maiden flight on 24 January. As well as being a first for the wider programme, it also marked an important milestone for Bahrain, which is due to receive this particular aircraft in the coming months. (Photo by Lockheed Martin)

Editor: Ali Gaffari (Middle Eastern ©XAirForces News Editor from Qatar, UAE and Iran)

Keywords: Bahrain, F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon, F-16 Block 70, F-16, F-16V Block 70, F-16D, Lockheed Martin, Fighter Aircraft, Maiden Flight, US Air Force, Military Aviation, Taiwan, Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229, Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83,

F-16 Block 70 makes maiden flight, first aircraft destined for Bahrain


(25.01.2023)