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F-16C Block 25 Advanced
Hello everyone! Today I would like to suggest the F-16C Block 52ID. This suggestion is mainly to complemented the Indonesian Aviation Sub-tree.
The F-16C Block52ID program started as a cost-effective solution for the Indonesian Air Force to modernize its existing fleet using second-hand USAF block 25 airframes that underwent a significant refurbishment to address the structure & upgrade the internal capabilities of the fighter jet. While technically an older block 25 airframe, these were designated the 52ID due to their internal systems being more or less equal to the block 50/52. With the aircraft carrying a new AN/APG-68(V)9 radar as well as it capable of firing smart munitions & other armaments like the AMRAAMs & AIM-9Xs. The program originally started in 2012 and started in earnest in 2014 and the final jets being delivered in 2017/18
In terms of its performance in-game, it has a very good radar, capable of having HMD, mid-range engine, but considering it has AMRAAMs & AIM-9Xs it could very well sit at the top-tier for Indonesia.
How to Identify the F-16C/D compared to other Indonesian F-16A/AM/B/BM?
The simplest way is to look for the base of the vertical stabilizer. On the Block52IDs of both C/D the base is a lot wider & thicker. The A/AM/B/BM doesnt have the widened base structure
Rough drawing of Vertical Stabilizer
F-16A/AM/B/BM (LEFT) VS F-16C/D (Right)
A. Background
Details
The production of the F-16C/D Began with the Block 25. The first F-16C Flew on June 19th 1984 and was delivered to the USAF a month later. Changes featured in the F-16C/D includes a better AN/APG-68(V) radar. Added BVR capability for the SARH AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAMs as well as the ability to carry AGM-65D Mavericks, among a host of other upgrades. These modifications resulted in an increase of the Maximum take-off weight to 19,640kg. Externally the F-16C is almost identical to the F-16A. The only signifcant differentiator between the two is an enlarged base of the vertical stabilizer which can be found on the F-16C.
A total of ~240 Block 25 C/D models were delivered to the USAF. But with the introduction of later block 30/40/50 model F-16s coming off the production line from 1986 onward, all of the older Block 25s were handed over to Air National Guard units. These airframes would eventually accumulate a lot of flight hours for the National Guard, primarily through training & combat sorties, such as during Desert Storm & Iraqi Freedom. In ~2008 some of the older Block 25 Airframes were decomissioned and put into storage with the 309th AMARG on Davis–Monthan AFB in Tuscon, Arizona due to budget efficiency issues. They would remain under the Arizona desert until their refurbishment in 2014.
83-1130 (TS-1625) In active service with the Indiana Air National Guard’s 163rd Fighter Squadron Fighter Wing. The aircraft would be deployed during the Iraq War in 2007 and would eventually be acquired by Indonesia.
in 2010 rumors began circulating that a new order of F-16s for the Indonesian Air Force would commence. More information appeared in 2011 that the order would comprise of up to 24 ex-USAF F-16C/D of the older Block 25 version and that they were to be upgraded to the Block 32 status. 6 more airframes (4x Block 25 & 2x Block 15) were also included in the deal as knocked-down spare parts.Eventually in 2012 after being confirmed during a visit by President Obama to Indonesia, it was decided that the F-16s were to be upgraded with a toned-down version of the CCIP upgrade package, which includes the latest MMC-7000 mission computer & M5 software package which makes the airframe more or less equal to the Block 50/52.The aircrafts were to be acquired via the EDA program (Excess Defence Articles). With Indonesia receiving a grant of the aircraft “as is” and only paying for the refurbishment program as was advised by the United States. Originally Indonesia wanted to buy new Block 52 airframes, but after calculating the price the choice was to get the ex-USAF refurbished versions instead (roughly 19-20 Million USD per refurbished unit instead of 60-65 Million USD for the new units).
Why the refurbishment program instead of just accepting it as it was? Though the airframe was considered a relative “newer” Version of the F-16, they were still older than the Indonesian F-16A/B which were purchased brand-new in the 1990s. As such, around 670.67 million USD was spent, not only for the modernization of the aircrafts, but also including spare parts, testing equipment, supporting equipment & maintenance facilities, as well as the training of pilots & technicians. The airframes were shipped from the Davis-Monthan AFB storage to Hill AFB, specifically to the Ogden Air Logistics Complex for the refurbishment program. The refurbishment were proven to be necessary after a crack was found in the cockpit of the Indonesian-bound F-16Ds. Other cracks was found not just with the Indonesian aircraft which resulted in ~100+ units of USAF F-16Ds being grounded in 2014/15.
Ex-USAF 84-1323 (TS-1620) spotted at AMARG before refurbishment. This airframe, alongside 3 other F-16Ds, was found to have cracks at the Canopy Sill Longeron
The program primarily revolves around 3 key upgrades, which includes structural, avionics, & overhaul of the engine. The aircraft is called Block 52 on a technicality, because underneath it its still a block 25 airframe, which is fundamentally not equal to the Block 50/52 design. But the reason its classified as “equal to block 52” is in regards to the avionics, as the internal systems housed within the airframe has been upgraded to the block 52 standard.
The avionics upgrade was in fact quite complex due to the required manpower for the installment of new wiring on some systems, new weapon racks, and other miscellaneous components. The upgrades include the installment of a MMC (Mission Module Computer), which is used on other aircrafts like the F-16 Block 52 or Block 60 Viper, F-22 & F-35. This was done for the capability to use smart munitions. With the upgrade the plane is capable of carrying AMRAAMs, JDAM, as well as the Aim-9X. Other upgrades include an ALQ-213 Electronic Counter Measure set, ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser, LN-260 Embedded INS/GPS, Improved Data Modem link 16, eCPDG ARC-164 & 186 Radio, Common Color MFD, Color Cockpit Camera, Block 52 assembly components, VMU upgrades, as well as the AN/APG-68(V)9 Pulse Doppler Radar.
In regards to the airframe they weren’t as substantial as the avionics. The structure of the aircraft was upgraded via the FALCON STAR program (which is the same program that Indonesian F-16A/B also underwent in 2017) which resulted in the increase of the aircraft’s service life. The engine overhaul was done by Pratt & Whitney. All of the old engine components were replaced with new parts. The F100-PW-220E (basically old PW-200 upgraded to the 220 standard) effectively became a new engine with 0 flight hours. Compared to the F-16A/B’s DEEC (Digital Engine Electronic Control) group 3, The F-16C/D has the newer Group 6.
The aircrafts on a ferry flight to Indonesia. Note the lack of brake parachute as they were only fitted with the chute after being delivered to Indonesia.
After the upgrades & refurbishments were done, the aircraft was painted with Indonesian colors & decals, ready for delivery beginning in 2014 & finishing in 2017. These aircraft were given tail number TS-1620 to TS-1643. The delivery was to be conducted in 6 batches via Ferry flight. There were two primary route for the delivery, one from the north (Hill AFB, Utah > Eielson AFB, Alaska > Andersen AFB, Guam > Iswahjudi AFB, Indonesia) and another from the south (Hill AFB, Utah > March ARB, California > Hickam AFB, Hawaii > Andersen AFB, Guam > Iswahjudi AFB, Indonesia). The aircraft first took off from Hill AFB in July 15th 2014 and arrived at Iswahjudi AFB in 2015. Further batches were delivered until the final batch in December 2017, but 2 plane was stuck in Hawaii due to weather issues, as such they were only delivered in January of 2018.
TS-1630 one of 6 aircraft of the final batch of delivery while in transit in Hawaii, 2017.
Currently the F-16C/D Block 52 ID are in active service of the 14th Air Squadron of the 3.1 Combat Air Wing & the 16th Air Squadron of the 3.2 Combat Air Wing. The aircraft has since participated in many different exercises both within and outside the country. One of the recent accomplishment is that the jet successfully conducted the first photographed highway landing in Indonesia. Additionally not long after the program was completed, the Indonesian F-16A/B also received the FALCON STAR program which resulted in the recently completed F-16AM/BM. Those upgraded airframe are virtually identical to the Block 52ID in terms of performance.
TS-1634 of the 14th Air Sqd Conducting A Highway Landing in Lampung.
B. Specifications
Details
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight
- Empty : 8,272 kg
- Normal : 12,003 kg
- Maximum : 19,186 kg
- Wing Span : 9.45 m
- Wing Area : 27 m²
- Height : 5.09 m
- Length : 15.04 m
- Crew : 1
-
Engine: F100-PW-220/E After-burning Turbofan Engine (DEEC Group 6)
- Weight:1,467kg
- Length:4.85m
- Immediate Thrust (Max): 64,9 kN (105,7 kN)
- Max Speed : Mach 2.05 @ 12,200 m (40,000 ft)
-
Radar: AN/APG-68(v)9 Pulse Doppler Radar
- Range : 296.32km
ARMAMENT
Capable of carrying the same armament as the ID F-16AM/BM Falcon Star eMLU (same program)
- Primary Cannon
- 20mm M61A1 Vulcan
- Air-to-Air Missiles
- AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM
- AIM-9P-4/P-5 Sidewinder
- AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder
- Air-to-Surface Munitions
- AGM-65G/K2 Mavericks
- GBU-38 JDAM (GPS) (mk82)
- GBU-54 LJDAM (Laser) (mk82)
- AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER targeting pod
- Mark12 360kg dumb bombs
- Mark81 250lbs dumb bombs
- Mark82 500lbs dumb bombs
- [Domestic] 125kg BT-125 dumb bombs (Dislitbangau & PT PINDAD)
- [Domestic] 250kg BT-250 dumb bombs (Dislitbangau & PT PINDAD)
- [Domestic] 250kg BNT-250 dumb bombs (Dislitbangau, PT Sari Bahari & PT. Dahana)
- [Domestic] 500kg BT-500 dumb bombs (Dislitbangau & PT PINDAD)
Was Mentioned to be Compatible but Not Owned by IDaF :
Note: I am NOT suggesting these armaments below, but rather putting it here for completeness' sake
- Air-to-Air Missiles
- AIM-9L/M Sidewinder
- IRIS-T Missile
- Air-to-Surface Missiles
- LANTIRN targeting pod
- Mark83 1000lbs dumb bombs
- Mark84 2000lbs dumb bombs
- AGM-84 Harpoon ASM (Indonesia technically has the RGM-84 but its for ship-launch only)
- AGM-88 HARM
SYSTEMS
- ALR-69 Class IV Radar Warning Receiver
- ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser
- ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System
- LN-260 (SPS) Embedded INS/GPS
- Improved Data Modem Link 16 Block-52
- eCPDG ARC-164 & 186 UHF Radio
- Common Color Multi-Function Display (CCMFD)
- Color Cockpit Camera (CCAM)
- Block 52 upgrades to:
- Throttle Assembly
- Side Stick Assembly
- general upgrades to:
- VMU
- Taxi/Landing lights
- Advanced Data Transfer Equipment (ADTE)
- Airborne Data Recording System (ADRS)
- Common Data Entry Electronic Unit (CDEEU)
- Refurbishment to:
- Overall Airframe Structure
- Engines
C. More Images
Details
CAMOUFLAGESPre-service | USAF decals with yellow background over the Indonesian markings during delivery
IMAGES
F-16C Block 52ID During Functionality Check Flight at Hill AFB
F-16C Block 52ID Before Delivery in Utah
First Batch of F-16C/D Block 52ID Arriving in Indonesia
F-16C Block52ID with Aim-9P-5
Drag Chute
F-16C Pilot
F-16C Conducting an Air Patrol
D. Sources
Details
- Complete review of the F-16C/D 52ID Upgrade. Angkasa Magazine No.9 (p.24-29), June 2015
- Bomb-500 Ready for the F-16C/D 52ID. Angkasa Magazine No.12 (p.46-47), September 2014
- Indonesia - Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara - Indonesian Air Force - TNI-AU - F-16.net
- F-16C/D - Block 25 - F-16.net
- https://web.archive.org/web/20201125112047/https://www.dsca.mil/sites/default/files/mas/indonesia_11-48_0.pdf
- Penerbang F-16 C/D 52ID TNI AU Menjalani Latihan Terbang Di Tucson.
- https://x.com/Macaskeel/status/1816407284509221010
- Redirecting...
- https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/12/08/f-16-fighter-jets-to-begin-journey-to-indonesia-following-us-regeneration-work/
- https://www.indomiliter.com/f-16-cd-block-52id-welcome-the-new-indonesian-fighting-falcon/
- https://www.indomiliter.com/pratt-whitney-f100-pw220e-rahasia-dapur-pacu-jet-tempur-f-16-block-52id/
- https://www.indomiliter.com/sniper-advanced-targeting-pod-perangkat-intai-dan-penjejak-sasaran-untuk-f-16-cd-block-52id-tni-au/
- https://www.indomiliter.com/7-poin-peningkatan-kemampuan-pada-radar-anapg-68-jet-tempur-f-16-cd-block-52id/
- https://www.indomiliter.com/mk12-restu-ibu-bom-udara-andalan-f-16-fighting-falcon-tni-au/
- https://www.indomiliter.com/vulcan-gatling-gun-m61a1-kanon-organik-legendaris-keluarga-f-16-fighting-falcon/
- Raytheon AGM-65K2 Maverick - Rudal Udara ke Permukaan Tercanggih Untuk F-16 TNI AU
- http://indomiliter.com/vulcan-m197-20mm-senjata-organik-t-50i-golden-eagle-tni-au/
- https://saribahari.id/id/produk/bnt-250
- https://x.com/Gans_Flanker/status/1880227055457169719
- List of equipment of the Indonesian Air Force - Wikipedia
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Thank you for reading! Any suggestions or corrections would be highly appreciated!Additionally, you can check out more Indonesian suggestions below!