RSAF's Upgraded F-16 Take Part in Exercise Forging Sabre 2023

28 September 2023

Upgraded F-16 C/D of the RSAF and A330 MRTT during Exercise Forging Sabre 2023 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, US (all photos : RSAF)

Exercise Forging Sabre 2023 saw the participation of our F-16 fighter aircraft and A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) with new capabilities that allowed them to be employed more efficiently in the battlefield!

The A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport extends the airborne endurance of fighter aircraft through its refuelling capabilities. The Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling capability of the MRTT, featured for the first time in the exercise, further enhances the efficiency of refuelling missions.

The A330 MRTT is now equipped with Automatic Air-To-Air Refuelling capabilities that makes the operation more efficient.

An Air Refuelling Operator on board the A330 MRTT conducts refuelling operations for the fighters, extending their airborne endurance (photo : RSAF)

An upgraded F-16 fighter aircraft roars into the skies, heading towards the vast training area. With its new and advanced capabilities, it is able to track and engage targets at longer distances.

While our F-16 pilots hone their skills in the air, our AFEs on the ground ensure that the aircraft stay mission ready at all times (photo : RSAF)

Our upgraded F-16s come with new and advanced capabilities that ensure that they are able to stay operationally ready and defend Singapore’s skies until the mid-2030s.

An upgraded F-16 fighter aircraft roars into the skies, heading towards the vast training area. With its new and advanced capabilities, it is able to track and engage targets at longer distances (photo : RSAF)

With the new Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, targets can be tracked and engaged at greater distances. An all-weather ground-attack capability enables the upgraded F-16s to strike targets with more capable precision munitions such as the Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition, and an enhanced air-to-air combat capability allows them to employ modern air-to-air missiles to engage a wider spectrum of air threats.

In addition, the datalink system coupled with the advanced helmet mounted display will provide the pilot with superior situational awareness that enhances safety and enables the pilot to maximise the employment of fighter aircraft weapons.

(RSAF)