First flight of F-16V with advanced AESA radar

Fort Worth, Texas – Lockheed Martin successfully completed the maiden flight of the F-16V, the latest and most advanced F-16 on the market. The Oct. 16, 2015 flight marks the first time an F-16 has flown with Northrop Grumman's advanced APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR). 

 

The F-16V Viper advanced avionics configuration also includes a new cockpit center pedestal display, a modernized mission computer, a high-capacity Ethernet data bus, and several other mission systems enhancements that add combat capabilities to address the dynamic threat environments emerging in the coming decades.

 

"This flight marks a historic milestone in the evolution of the F-16," said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's F-16/F-22 Integrated Fighter Group. "The new F-16V configuration includes numerous enhancements designed to keep the F-16 at the forefront of international security, strengthening its position as the world's foremost combat-proven fourth generation fighter aircraft." 

 

Northrop Grumman's APG-83 SABR AESA fire control radar provides fifth generation air-to-air and air-to-ground radar capability. Northrop Grumman also provides AESA radars for the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

 

The F-16V, an option for both new production F-16s and F-16 upgrades, leverages a common worldwide sustainment infrastructure. More than 4,550 F-16s have been delivered to date.