Lockheed Martin : Three Reasons the F-16 Block 72 is the Ideal Bridge to Fifth-Generation Capabilities

29 Juni 2021

F-16V Block 72 for Indonesia (image : Lockheed Martin)

It’s not your standard fourth-generation aircraft.

The F-16 Block 72 incorporates the latest advances in technology and combat capability – many of which could be considered fifth generation. Here are three reasons why the powerful F-16 Block 72 can serve as a bridge between Indonesia’s current fleet of F-16s and fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35.

1. It could be considered a 4-and-a-half generation fighter

Lockheed Martin is the only company in the world that has two operational fifth-generation fighters, the F-22 and F-35. That means Lockheed Martin can leverage the fifth-generation technologies of these platforms and integrate them back into the F-16 Block 72 for Indonesia – and vice versa.

For example, Northrop Grumman’s advanced APG-83 Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar provides 5th generation capabilities by leveraging hardware and software commonality with the F-22 and F-35 AESA radars. APG-83 shares 95% software commonality and 70% hardware commonality with the F-35 radar.

Overall, Lockheed Martin provides a proven and comprehensive high-value transfer of advanced aerospace technology and a transition plan from fourth to fifth generation.

2. Common infrastructure and supply chain

With 34 F-16s already, the Indonesian Air Force has existing F-16 support equipment, spares, and trained pilots and maintenance personnel in place. Recently upgraded IDAF F-16A Block 15 aircraft brought mid-life structural enhancements and upgraded avionics to the fleet, and now these jets would complement Block 72 F-16s.

With this F-16 experience and infrastructure already in place, the F-16 Block 72 would allow for a more smooth, efficient transition and cost-effective operations because initial investments are complete. Additionally, with more than 3,000 F-16s in operation today by 25 countries, F-16 users worldwide can share information as well as sustainment projects and costs associated with maintaining the F-16 – many of which are common with fifth-generation users. In fact, about half of the F-16 supply chain is in common with the F-22 and F-35.

Greeting card Lockheed Martin to TNI in 2017 (image : Lockheed Martin) 

3. Building partnerships

Many international F-35 users also operated the F-16 – either in the past or continuously today. Most upgraded their existing F-16 fleets to the latest configuration as an initial path in the transition to fifth-generation fighter technologies.

Today, the F-16 continues to serve as the workhouse of the NATO air fleet and allied defense missions around the world. By choosing the F-16 Block 72, Indonesia would join a network of nations operating earlier-model F-16s, new F-16s and F-35s. While any discussions on fifth-generation aircraft for Indonesia will begin with the U.S. government, the F-16 Block 72 offers the Indonesian Air Force a path to fifth-generation capabilities in the future.

F-16 for Indonesia: Infrastructure Primed & Ready

The F-16 is a strategic and valuable choice for many customers around the world seeking advanced fighter aircraft capabilities, regional and worldwide partnerships, and affordable lifecycle costs.

Five nations have chosen the new F-16 Block 70/72 for these reasons and more.

One more reason why Indonesia should be next? It’s got much of the existing infrastructure that’s needed to support it in place already.

With its current fleet of 34 F-16 Block 15 aircraft, the Indonesian Air Force has existing F-16 support equipment and spares … as well as trained pilots and maintenance personnel. That fleet recently completed mid-life structural enhancements and upgraded avionics that will keep them capable for decades. New Block 72 jets would complement and amplify this existing fleet.

Choosing another new aircraft other than an F-16 for its future fighter, the Indonesian Air Force would have to heavily invest in new infrastructure, train new pilots and maintainers, integrate new ground support equipment, and procure a separate set of weapons than the current inventory used for F-16s.

Introducing a new aircraft into the fleet could mean there is less commonality in terms of sustainment and well as interoperability challenges within the fleet and with regional allies. Training for and sustaining multiple different aircraft platforms will be more difficult and costly than maintaining a single platform such as the F-16.

With the necessary F-16 experience and infrastructure already in place, the F-16 Block 72 would allow the Indonesian Air Force a more smooth, efficient transition and cost-effective operations – ensuring it’s ready for any mission, anytime.

(Lockheed Martin)