Singapore F-16 fleet to be upgraded to Block 60 standard...
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Hi guys this looks interesting... But I cannot seem to find any other information on this other than the link below...
http://www.f-16.net/index.php?module=Pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=51&pid=841 -
I don't think it's happening. Probably just another rumour or RSAF had looked at it and never actually took it up. You'd figure that by now an announcement would have been made already.
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a bit kinda unbelievable cos a lot of changes have to made from blk 52 to blk 60 standards.....
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thats like very old news, dated 2003.... we went with the F-15SG
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Actually, I feel that the RSAF would upgrade our F-16 fleet to perhaps a near Block 60 standard, focusing on replacing current avionics.
The APG-68(V)9 that equips the latest batch of 20 F-16Ds delivered in 2003-4 are already very capable radars and the 42 earlier F-16C/Ds could have their APG-68(V)5 sets upgraded to a similar standard. This would be more cost effective instead of procuring new APG-80 radars which constitute an extremely expensive option.
The current F100-PW-229 engines are still modern engines and there is no need to convert to the F110-GE-132 which powers the F-16 Block 60.
Thus the focus should be on replacing the current avionic fit with state of the art systems that would ensure a high degree of survivability in areas with hostile enemy fighters or SAMs.
Compatibility with a wide range of other PGMs such as the Israeli SPICE guided bomb and Popeye missile would be considered to reduce our dependence on short range American Paveway LGBs and AGM-65B/G missiles.
The 42 F-16C/Ds not fitted with conformal fuel tanks could be adapted like the last 20 F-16Ds to extend their operating range while carrying a heavier warload.
With all these modifications, the RSAF should be in possession of a fleet of formidable strike fighters even before the F-15T enters service in 2008. -
I hope that somewhere down the road, the RSAF would pursue this option to keep the vipers viable in combat...like how we upgraded our A-4s and F-5s
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When do you guys think the RSAF will retire our F-16 fleet?
From 2020? That is when the 1st batch of 18 F-16C/Ds bought in 1998 will be 22 years old... -
Think that might depend on how expensive the JSFs are.Originally posted by Delta 5:When do you guys think the RSAF will retire our F-16 fleet?
From 2020? That is when the 1st batch of 18 F-16C/Ds bought in 1998 will be 22 years old...