As a combat platform, the F-16 is already 50 years old, but this does not prevent aircraft and missile manufacturers from continuing to improve the fighter. He can be the carrier of a large arsenal of weapons.
Bahrain became the first operator of the F-16 C/D Block 70 fighter. Now the first two aircraft are in the United States, where they are being prepared for delivery to the customer. For the first time since the beginning of the production of the advanced version of the aircraft, it was shown armed. This is reported by The War Zone. The Royal Bahraini Air Force is the first operator of the F-16 Block 70. The two aircraft are currently at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where they are being tested by American pilots before being delivered to the customer. This is a normal part of the process of selling US military equipment abroad.
F-16 Block 70 with missiles and bombs
Fighters photographed in the air from aboard a KC-135 refueling aircraft back in March, but published them now. The publication analyzed the armament on the F-16 Block 70 aircraft:
- two AIM-120 air-to-air missiles;
- two AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles;
- two JDAM precision air bombs.
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They are all training versions of the munitions. The aircraft also has an improved AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod targeting system. Bahrain ordered Block 70 fighters, along with the missiles listed above, as well as the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship, AGM-88 HARM anti-radar, AGM-154 JSOW depth charges and various versions of the JDAM guided bombs.
Bahrain was the first Gulf country to begin operating the F-16 in the 1990s. Currently in service with F-16 Block 40 aircraft, the new version of the aircraft will significantly increase the capabilities of the Air Force with the new AN/APG-83 SABR radar and other advanced solutions.
“Rough evaluation of F-16 Block jets 70, conducted by the 416th Flight Test Squadron, ensures these aircraft meet the highest standards of performance and safety, which is critical to the operational success of the Bahrain Air Defense Force,” — said a spokesman for the 412th Test Wing.