Polish Air Force — Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon
Suggestion for the American Tech Tree (Polish Sub-Tree)
Two Polish Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons intercept a US B-52H over Poland, Oct. 28 2019 — U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Duncan C. Bevan / DVIDS (Public Domain)
I’ll be straight with you — Poland has no modern jet aircraft in War Thunder at all. The last Polish aircraft added to the game are from the propeller era. That’s a pretty significant gap when you consider that Poland is one of the more serious NATO air forces today, spending over 4% of GDP on defence and operating some genuinely interesting kit.
The F-16C Block 52+ “Jastrzab” has been Poland’s frontline fighter since 2006. It’s not a paper design, it’s not a prototype — it’s 48 aircraft flying real missions right now. And more importantly for this suggestion, the Polish variant is not just a copy-paste of the existing US F-16C. It has Conformal Fuel Tanks fitted as standard, a better radar, JHMCS helmet cueing, and carries JASSM cruise missiles. There are real, meaningful differences that would make this a distinct vehicle in-game.
A few specific points worth making:
1. Poland has no modern aircraft in War Thunder at all. The last Polish aircraft in-game are World War II era machines. For a country with this level of military investment, that’s a glaring omission.
2. The Block 52+ is genuinely different from the US F-16C. CFTs, APG-68(V)9 radar, JHMCS, JASSM — none of these are on the standard US F-16C in-game. This isn’t a reskin.
3. It’s a real, confirmed, in-service aircraft. 48 jets delivered between 2006 and 2008, three active squadrons flying them today. Exactly the kind of vehicle War Thunder is built around.
4. Historical significance. Poland was the first former Warsaw Pact nation to operate the F-16. That’s a genuinely interesting piece of history.
5. Precedent already exists in-game. War Thunder already represents allied operators of US aircraft — Israeli F-4E, German F-104G, and others. A Polish F-16 fits naturally into the US tree the same way.
6. Poland is actively upgrading its fleet right now. In August 2025, Poland signed a $3.8 billion contract to bring all 48 jets up to F-16V standard — proof that this aircraft will remain relevant for decades to come. Adding it to War Thunder now, before the upgrade, gives the game a historically accurate snapshot of one of NATO’s most committed air forces at a pivotal moment.
Read Full History — Poland's Road to the F-16
After joining NATO in 1999, Poland needed to replace its Soviet-era fleet — MiG-21s, MiG-23s, Su-22s — with something modern. In 2001 they launched a proper competitive tender for up to 100 new multirole fighters. Three aircraft competed:
| Contender | Country | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| F-16C/D Block 52+ | USA | Lockheed Martin |
| Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2 | France | Dassault Aviation |
| JAS 39C/D Gripen | Sweden / UK | Saab / BAE Systems |
On 27 December 2002, Poland announced the F-16 as the winner. The American offer scored over 90 out of 100 points in the evaluation — the deciding factors were combat performance, offset economic returns ($9.5 billion pledged back to the Polish economy), and NATO interoperability. The contract was worth $3.5 billion USD and was signed on 18 April 2003 under the “Peace Sky” programme. At the time it was the largest defence contract signed by any former Soviet Bloc country since the Cold War ended.
Delivery timeline:
- 14 March 2006 — First Polish F-16C (#4040) makes its maiden flight at Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth, Texas
- 15 September 2006 — Official delivery ceremony at Fort Worth
- 9 November 2006 — First four Jastrzabs ceremonially received at Krzesiny Air Base; aircraft formally named “Jastrzab” (Northern Goshawk) by President Lech Kaczynski
- 2007–2008 — Remaining 44 aircraft delivered
- December 2014 — JASSM cruise missile integration contract signed ($250 million)
- 2017 — JASSM becomes operational on Polish F-16s
- 2019 — Polish F-16s participate in Bomber Task Force Europe missions alongside USAF B-52Hs
- 2020 — Aviation Detachment Rotations at Lask AB with USAF F-16s; confirmed full NATO interoperability
- August 2025 — Poland signs $3.8 billion deal to upgrade all 48 jets to F-16V Block 72 standard
Today the Jastrzab fleet serves across three tactical squadrons:
- 3rd Fighter Squadron — 31st Tactical Air Base, Poznan-Krzesiny (training focus)
- 6th Fighter Squadron — 31st Tactical Air Base, Poznan-Krzesiny (air-to-ground focus)
- 10th Fighter Squadron — 32nd Tactical Air Base, Lask (air-to-air focus)
The name “Jastrzab” — Northern Goshawk — was chosen personally by President Lech Kaczynski at the official handover ceremony on 9 November 2006. The goshawk is a fast, agile bird of prey native to Poland, considered an appropriate symbol for the aircraft’s role as Poland’s primary air defence fighter.
Sources: f-16.net — Poland | Portal Militarny | The Aviationist
Polish Air Force F-16C Block 52+ taxiing out of a hangar at Lask Air Base, Poland, Aug. 19 2020 — U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Melody W. Howley / DVIDS (Public Domain)
Full Technical Specifications — F-16C Block 52+
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Role | Multirole fighter | Air superiority, strike, SEAD, recon |
| Crew | 1 (F-16C) | 2 in the F-16D variant |
| Length | 15.03 m (49 ft 3.5 in) | |
| Wingspan | 9.96 m (32 ft 8 in) | Without wingtip missiles |
| Height | 5.09 m (16 ft 8.5 in) | |
| Wing Area | 27.87 m² (300 sq ft) | |
| Empty Weight | 8,570 kg (18,900 lb) | |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 19,187 kg (42,300 lb) | |
| Max External Payload | ~7,700 kg (17,000 lb) | |
| G-Limits | -3g to +9g | |
| Airframe Life | 8,000 hours | Extending to 12,000 hrs after F-16V upgrade |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Afterburning turbofan |
| Thrust (Dry) | 79.2 kN / 17,800 lbf |
| Thrust (Afterburner) | 129.7 kN / 29,160 lbf |
| Bypass Ratio | 0.36:1 |
| Overall Pressure Ratio | 32:1 |
| Turbine Inlet Temperature | approx. 1,700°C |
| Engine Length | 4.85 m |
| Engine Diameter | 1.18 m |
Something worth noting here: Block 52 uses the Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-229, not the GE F110 found in Block 50. It’s a meaningful distinction — the PW-229 gives the Jastrzab a slightly different performance character, with marginally higher afterburner thrust than the GE variant. In game terms this translates to a very slightly better sustained climb performance.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Speed (high altitude) | Mach 2.05 — approx. 2,531 km/h at 12,200 m |
| Max Speed (sea level) | Mach 1.2 — approx. 1,482 km/h |
| Service Ceiling | 16,764 m (55,000 ft) |
| Initial Climb Rate | approx. 305 m/s (60,000 ft/min) clean configuration |
| Combat Radius (internal fuel) | approx. 550 km (hi-lo-hi profile, with 6x Mk 82) |
| Ferry Range (with CFTs + drop tanks) | approx. 3,900 km (2,400 mi) |
| Thrust-to-Weight Ratio | approx. 1.095 at combat weight |
| Load Factor (structural limit) | -3g to +9g |
| Sustained Turn Rate | approx. 9.0 deg/s at corner speed |
| Instantaneous Turn Rate | approx. 26 deg/s |
| Corner Speed | approx. 450 KIAS (833 km/h) |
Sources: f-16.net — Block 50/52 | Wikipedia — F-16
The Polish F-16C must have CFTs modelled in War Thunder.
This is the one thing I’d really emphasise in this suggestion. CFTs are not optional equipment on the Jastrzab — they are a standard operational fit, confirmed in official Polish Air Force photographs and well documented across multiple defence publications. Modelling the Jastrzab without CFTs would simply be inaccurate.
CFT Technical Details — What They Are and Why They Matter
Conformal Fuel Tanks are semi-permanently mounted flush against the fuselage, sitting above the wing roots on both sides of the aircraft. They are quite different from conventional external fuel tanks:
- They produce minimal aerodynamic drag — the profile is designed to conform closely to the fuselage shape
- They free up underwing hardpoints that would otherwise be occupied by fuel tanks, allowing more weapons to be carried
- They cannot be jettisoned in flight (unlike drop tanks) — they are ground-removable only
- Despite this, they are genuinely quick to remove on the ground when not needed
- They add no weapons station penalty — the aircraft retains all 9 standard hardpoints plus 2 wingtip rails
| CFT Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Fuel Volume (per side) | 440 US gallons (1,665 litres) |
| Total Additional Fuel | 880 US gallons (3,330 litres) |
| Additional Fuel Mass | approx. 2,727 kg (6,000 lb total) |
| Drag Penalty | Minimal — low-profile conforming design |
| Effect on Hardpoints | Frees up two inboard underwing stations for weapons |
| Standard Fit on Polish F-16s | Yes — confirmed in Polish Air Force photography |
In War Thunder terms, CFTs would function as a permanent fuel increase that doesn’t consume weapon hardpoints and doesn’t create the drag penalty of conventional external tanks. That’s a meaningful and unique gameplay characteristic — no other F-16 variant currently in the game has this.
Sources: Wikipedia — F-16 variants | The War Zone — Polish F-16 upgrades
Full Avionics Suite
At the time of delivery, Lockheed Martin’s president Ralph D. Heath called the Polish Block 52+ “the most advanced fighter in NATO.” The avionics list backs that up:
| System | Designation | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Radar | AN/APG-68(V)9 | Northrop Grumman; 30% better detection range vs V(5); 2-ft SAR ground mapping; Track-While-Scan up to 10 targets |
| Helmet Cueing | JHMCS | Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System; off-boresight up to 90 degrees for AIM-9X |
| Electronic Warfare | AN/ALQ-211(V)4 SIRFC | ITT Industries ASPIS suite; self-protection jamming |
| Targeting Pod | AAQ-33 Sniper XR | FLIR, CCD TV, laser designator; day/night all-weather precision strikes |
| Recon Pod | Goodrich DB-110 | Real-time EO/IR imagery; used operationally in anti-ISIS missions |
| Navigation | Honeywell H-423 RLG INS | Ring Laser Gyro INS with GPS |
| Datalink | Link-16 / MIDS-LVT | NATO standard tactical datalink |
| IFF | AN/APX-113 | Advanced IFF interrogator/transponder |
| OBOGS | On-Board Oxygen Generator | No liquid oxygen needed |
| RWR | AN/ALR-56M | Advanced radar warning receiver; threat library |
| Chaff/Flare | ALE-47 CMDS | Countermeasures dispensing system; 120 expendables |
Sources: f-16.net — Poland | polot.net — F-16 Jastrzab
Polish Air Force F-16C Jastrzab armed and ready to taxi for a combat mission during Operation Inherent Resolve (anti-ISIS), Apr. 24 2017 — U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt Benjamin Wilson / DVIDS (Public Domain)
Internal Gun — M61A1 Vulcan
M61A1 Vulcan 20mm Rotary Cannon
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | 6-barrel rotary cannon |
| Calibre | 20x102mm |
| Rate of Fire | approx. 6,000 rounds/min |
| Ammunition Capacity | 511 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | approx. 1,050 m/s |
| Effective Range (air-to-air) | 500–600 m |
| Mount | Internally mounted in left wing root |
Air-to-Air Missiles
| Missile | Type | Range | Key Features | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II | IR-guided, short-range | approx. 35 km | Lock-On After Launch; 90-degree HOBS; cued by JHMCS | Operational |
| AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM | Radar-guided BVR | approx. 105 km | Active radar seeker; fire-and-forget; 2006 delivery | Operational |
| AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM | Radar-guided BVR | approx. 120 km | Improved seeker vs C-5; follow-on contract | Operational |
The AIM-9X and JHMCS combination deserves special attention. The pilot simply looks at the target — the helmet system slews the missile seeker to match — then fires. No need to manoeuvre the nose. Up to 90 degrees off boresight in any direction. Against a non-HOBS opponent in a turning fight, the Jastrzab pilot can fire first from almost any angle. This is one of the most decisive short-range advantages any aircraft can have, and it should absolutely be modelled correctly in-game.
Sources: The War Zone | Portal Militarny | The Aviationist
Air-to-Ground Weapons — Full Loadout
Cruise Missiles and Stand-Off Weapons:
| Weapon | Type | Range | Warhead | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGM-158A JASSM | Stealthy cruise missile | approx. 370 km | 450 kg penetrator WDU-42/B | INS/GPS + IIR terminal; acquired 2014, operational 2017 |
| AGM-158B JASSM-ER | Extended-range cruise missile | approx. 925 km | 450 kg penetrator | Extended range; also acquired by Poland |
| AGM-154C JSOW | Glide bomb / stand-off weapon | approx. 130 km high alt | Unitary warhead | 280 units in original 2003 contract |
Air-to-Ground Missiles:
| Weapon | Type | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGM-65G2 Maverick | EO/IR missile | approx. 25 km | 360 units delivered; IIR seeker; heavyweight warhead |
Precision Guided Bombs:
| Weapon | Type | Guidance | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBU-12 Paveway II | LGB | Laser | 227 kg / 500 lb | Standard precision |
| GBU-10 Paveway II | LGB | Laser | 907 kg / 2,000 lb | Heavy penetrator |
| GBU-24 Paveway III | LGB | Laser | 907 kg / 2,000 lb | Low-level delivery |
| GBU-31 JDAM | GPS bomb | GPS/INS | 907 kg / 2,000 lb | Mk 84 body; all-weather |
| GBU-38 JDAM | GPS bomb | GPS/INS | 227 kg / 500 lb | Mk 82 body |
Unguided Bombs:
| Weapon | Weight | Quantity Delivered |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 82 | 227 kg / 500 lb | 340 units |
| Mk 84 | 907 kg / 2,000 lb | 230 units |
Sources: polot.net | Wikipedia — AGM-158 JASSM | Portal Militarny
Hardpoints Layout — All 11 Stations
The F-16C Block 52+ has 11 hardpoints — 9 standard pylons plus 2 wingtip missile rails:
Station Location Max Load Typical Store
1L Left Wingtip Rail 193 kg AIM-9X Sidewinder
1R Right Wingtip Rail 193 kg AIM-9X Sidewinder
2 Left Outboard Underwing 1,000 kg AIM-120, Mk 82, fuel tank
3 Left Mid Underwing 2,041 kg AGM-65, JSOW, JDAM, fuel tank
4 Left Inboard Underwing 2,041 kg AGM-158 JASSM, JDAM, fuel tank
5 Centreline 1,814 kg Fuel tank (600 gal), JDAM
6 Right Inboard Underwing 2,041 kg AGM-158 JASSM, JDAM, fuel tank
7 Right Mid Underwing 2,041 kg AGM-65, JSOW, JDAM, fuel tank
8 Right Outboard Underwing 1,000 kg AIM-120, Mk 82, fuel tank
L Left Fuselage (intake) --- Sniper XR pod / ECM pod
R Right Fuselage (intake) --- Sniper XR pod / ECM pod
With CFTs fitted, stations 4 and 6 no longer need fuel tanks — both inboard hardpoints become free for weapons like JASSM. This is the direct in-combat benefit of the CFT system.
Polish F-16C in Combat and NATO Operations
The Jastrzab is not just a showpiece — it has seen real operational use that is directly relevant to War Thunder:
Operation Inherent Resolve (2016–2017) — anti-ISIS campaign
Poland deployed F-16Cs to the 407th Air Expeditionary Group in an undisclosed Middle Eastern location as part of the 60-nation coalition fighting ISIS. Polish Jastrzabs flew combat missions alongside USAF, RAF, French, and other allied aircraft. This was the first time Polish Air Force jets flew combat missions since World War II — a genuinely historic moment.
Bomber Task Force Europe (2019)
Polish F-16Cs from Krzesiny flew intercept and escort missions with USAF B-52H Stratofortresses during Bomber Task Force Europe 20-1, demonstrating full interoperability with US strategic bombers over Polish territory.
Baltic Air Policing
Polish F-16s have routinely participated in NATO Baltic Air Policing missions, conducting quick reaction alert (QRA) scrambles over the Baltic states.
Aviation Detachment Rotations
Regular joint exercises with USAF F-16 units at Lask and Krzesiny Air Bases, with US and Polish pilots flying together to develop interoperability and exchange tactics.
This operational record means the Jastrzab is not just historically interesting — it has been tested in real-world conditions against real-world threats. That’s exactly the kind of aircraft War Thunder benefits from representing.
Sources: DVIDS — Polish F-16 in OIR, 2017 | DVIDS — BTF Europe, 2019 | DVIDS — ADR 20.4, 2020
Comparison: Polish F-16C Block 52+ vs US F-16C Block 50
I want to be clear about this because it’s the most common objection — “we already have an F-16C, why add another one?” These are genuinely different aircraft in ways that matter for gameplay:
| Feature | US F-16C Block 50 (in-game) | Polish F-16C Block 52+ (proposed) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | GE F110-GE-129 (28,984 lbf AB) | P&W F100-PW-229 (29,160 lbf AB) |
| Radar | AN/APG-68(V)5 | AN/APG-68(V)9 — 30% better range, SAR mode |
| Conformal Fuel Tanks | Not fitted | Standard operational fit |
| Helmet Cueing | Basic | JHMCS — full 90-degree off-boresight |
| JASSM Cruise Missiles | No | AGM-158A/B — 370 to 925 km range |
| AMRAAM Version | AIM-120C-5 | AIM-120C-5 and C-7 |
| EW Suite | Basic | ALQ-211(V)4 ASPIS — advanced jamming |
| RWR | ALR-56M | ALR-56M (same) |
| Countermeasures | ALE-47 | ALE-47 (same) |
| Targeting Pod | LANTIRN | Sniper XR ATP — significantly superior |
| Combat Proven | Yes | Yes — OIR 2016-2017 |
| National Identity | US Air Force | Polish Air Force — two-tone grey, szachownica roundels |
Suggested In-Game Characteristics
These are just suggestions — Gaijin would make their own calls — but here is how I’d imagine this fitting:
Suggested Battle Rating: 13.0 to 13.3 in Air RB — JHMCS + AIM-9X justifies high BR, APG-68(V)9 is a step above V(5).
Tech Tree Position: American tech tree, Rank VIII, as part of a future Polish sub-tree alongside other Polish-operated aircraft (MiG-21bis, Su-22M4, etc.)
Features that must be modelled:
- CFTs as standard fitment — permanent fuel increase, no drag penalty, no hardpoint cost
- JHMCS — high off-boresight AIM-9X cueing, up to 90 degrees
- AN/APG-68(V)9 — improved radar vs V(5) in existing US F-16C
- Polish Air Force livery — two-tone grey camouflage, szachownica (chessboard) roundel, Jastrzab goshawk badge on tail
- ALE-47 countermeasures — 120 expendables
- AN/ALR-56M RWR — advanced radar warning
Suggested loadout presets:
- Air superiority: 2x AIM-9X (wingtip) + 6x AIM-120C-7 (underwing) + CFTs
- Multirole: 2x AIM-9X + 2x AIM-120C + 2x AGM-158A JASSM + 2x GBU-31 JDAM + CFTs + Sniper pod
- Strike: 2x AIM-9X + 4x GBU-38 JDAM + 2x AGM-65G2 + 2x drop tanks + Sniper pod
- Anti-radiation / SEAD: 2x AIM-9X + 2x AIM-120C + 4x AGM-88 HARM (if modelled) + CFTs
Additional Reference Photos
U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Duncan C. Bevan / DVIDS — Public Domain
U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Melody W. Howley / DVIDS — Public Domain
U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt Benjamin Wilson / DVIDS — Public Domain
All Sources Used in This Suggestion
Defence and Aviation Publications:
- f-16.net — Poland: Polish Air Force F-16 article
- f-16.net — F-16C/D Block 50/52 technical article
- Portal Militarny — Full F-16 Jastrzab fleet article
- The Aviationist — 10th Anniversary photoshoot
- The War Zone — Poland’s F-16s cleared for upgrades (2024)
- polot.net — F-16 Jastrzab history and contract details
- Bolt Flight — F-16 Hardpoints Comprehensive Guide
- Army Recognition — F-16 Block 70/72
Photo Credits — US DoD / DVIDS (all Public Domain):
- DVIDS #5868066 — Polish F-16Cs with B-52H, 2019
- DVIDS #6325482 — Polish F-16 at Lask AB, 2020
- DVIDS #3341086 — Polish F-16 in OIR, 2017
Wikipedia:
- Yes — Add it to the American Tech Tree (Polish Sub-Tree)
- Yes — But only if Poland gets its own separate nation
- Yes — But as a Premium or Event vehicle only
- No — I don’t think it should be added
- Yes — CFTs are standard on Polish Jastrzabs and must be modelled accurately
- Yes — But as optional equipment the player can remove in the loadout menu
- No — CFTs are not necessary for this suggestion
