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The F-16C Block 52+ Advanced (F-16C Block 52M as some call it in HAF) is an unique Greek upgrade over the F-16C Block 52+ mainly with improved electronics and armament. It wasn’t just an upgrade over existing F-16C Block 52+ they were brand new planes.
The F-16C Block 52+ History
The F-16C Block 52+ is an advanced export-oriented multirole variant of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, developed in the late 1990s/early 2000s as an enhanced version of the earlier Block 50/52.
The base Block 50/52 entered production around 1991. These featured more powerful Improved Performance Engines (the Block 52 uses the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229), upgraded avionics and radar (AN/APG-68 series), improved countermeasures, and expanded weapons capabilities, including better support for precision munitions and (in some configurations) Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) roles with the AGM-88 HARM.
This was primarily an export model (not operated in pure form by the U.S. Air Force). Greece became the first operator, receiving its initial F-16C Block 52+ under the Peace Xenia III program on 2 May 2003 (after ordering 50+ aircraft around 2000–2001); it later acquired additional advanced examples sometimes called Block 52M.
Poland ordered 48 aircraft (36 F-16C + 12 F-16D) under the Peace Sky program in 2003; the first flew in March 2006 and deliveries ran through 2008 (locally named Jastrząb). Israel received a highly customized two-seat version designated F-16I Sufa (“Storm”), incorporating substantial Israeli avionics, electronic warfare systems, and other equipment. Other operators have included Pakistan, Singapore, and later recipients of related Block 52-standard aircraft.
Production of Block 50/52 and 50/52+ airframes continued into the mid-2000s (with the U.S. receiving its last around 2005), and many remain in service, often with subsequent upgrades toward F-16V/Block 70/72 standards. The Block 52+ represents one of the most capable non-AESA “legacy” Vipers before the later Block 60 and Viper configurations.
The Greek upgrade of the F-16C Block 52+
The F-16C Block 52+ Advanced is a unique Greek upgrade of the F-16C Block 52+. Although the Peace Xenia III program represented Greece’s largest F-16 order and raised the total fleet to 130 aircraft, Peace Xenia IV still holds particular importance: it marked the final purchase of third-generation fighters. Compared with the Block 52+ aircraft delivered under Peace Xenia III, the new jets incorporated several additional features:
- Fully installed and operational Advanced Integrated Self-Protection Suite (ASPIS) II
- Digital video recording (DVR) of the multifunction displays (MFDs), HUD, Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) and targeting pod, together with an advanced ground debriefing system
- Colour moving-map navigation display (or static imagery)
- Fully installed and operational JHMCS
- Advanced mechanical integration of the IRIS-T missile, incorporating three extra capabilities
- Enhanced capabilities for the AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM
- Integration of a reconnaissance pod plus expanded functionality for the LANTIRN pods
- Link-16 datalink for improved situational awareness
Deliveries were completed between 2008 and 2009; the first flight took place in December 2008. The estimated acquisition cost was approximately €1.1 billion and was covered by a government-to-government agreement that provided 100 % offsets. These included Lockheed Martin co-production arrangements with Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB) for F-16 components manufactured in Greece, as well as the assignment to Greece of the modernisation and maintenance of roughly 5 000 U.S. military vehicles previously used in Iraq.
To support the new aircraft, substantial infrastructure upgrades were carried out for the Hellenic Air Force. Two three-bay maintenance hangars were built for the 335 and 336 Squadrons. Each hangar comprises a main aircraft bay of 1 180 m², offices, surrounding workshops, plant rooms, dormitories and auxiliary spaces totalling 1 190 m², plus aircraft access aprons of 2 076 m² (335 Squadron) and 3 120 m² (336 Squadron). Two squadron headquarters buildings, each of 1 050 m², were also constructed. Finally, a dedicated engine workshop of 2 280 m² was completed; it includes a 1 390 m² main hangar equipped with two dual-load overhead cranes, plus offices, workshops, plant rooms and auxiliary spaces (890 m²) and external engine handling aprons of 1 320 m².
Technical Specifications
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- Crew: 1
- Length: 15.06 m
- Wingspan: 9.96 m
- Height: 4.88 m
- Empty Weight: approximately 8,573 kg (18,900 lb )
- Max Takeoff Weight: approximately 19,187 kg (42,300 lb)
- Powerplant: 1x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan
- Dry thrust: 79.2 kN (17,800 lbf)
- Thrust with afterburner: 129.7 kN (29,160 lbf)
- Max Speed: Mach 2.05 (2,175 km/h) at high altitude / Mach 1.2 at sea level
- Service Ceiling: 15,240+ m (50,000+ ft)
- Radar: Northrop Grumman AN/APG-68(V)9
Greek F-16 Blocks Visual Differences
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All Greek Fighting Falcons, apart from their distinctive “Ghost” camouflage, have a tail fin root extension for the drag parachute. On there is also the probe of the ASPIS II for the rearward detection of incoming missiles.
All Hellenic F-16s except the Block 30s feature the AN/APX-113 IFF interrogator antennas in front of the canopy. The Block 30s are the only Greek F-16s which have a intercept light on the starboard side of the fuselage, just below and in front of the canopy.
Aegean Ghost Camouflage
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The color scheme of the HAF F-16s is known as the “Ghost” or “Aegean Ghost” scheme and is one of the most interesting in modern military aviation. This distinctive camouflage was first tested on several aircraft such as the Mirage F-1CG but was never used. It was adopted on some F-5As for a short period of time just before their retirement, but more extensively used on all the F-4E Phantom IIs after their AUP upgrade. All the F-16s in Hellenic service wear this scheme but in this case this a special coating has been applied.
This coating is a new technology called “Have Glass” which reduces the Radar Cross Section (RCS). The paint included in this Have Glass program is called Pacer Gem. Used on the later airframes (52+ and 52M), the coating alters the appearance of the paint visually. It is very rough to the touch and contains shiny flakes, almost like metal flake paint.
On the F-16 Block 52M the Have Glass III coating is much cleaner, but on the F-16 Block 52+ the Have Glass II coating has after all these years resulted in a distinctive grey and weathered camouflage.
Armament
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Air to Air missiles:
ΑΙΜ-120 B (ΑΜRΑΑΜ)
ΑΙΜ-120 C-5 (ΑΜRΑΑΜ)
ΑΙΜ-120 C-7 (ΑΜRΑΑΜ)
AIM-2000 (IRIS-T) Infrared Imaging Seeker – Tail
ΑΙΜ-9 L/I
ΑΙΜ-9 L/I-1
ΑΙΜ-9MAir to Ground Munitions:
AFDS (Autonomous Free-flight Dispenser System)
CBU 58 & 71
GBU-50 EP II
GBU-24 PW III
GBU-10-12-16 (Guided Bomb Unit)
GBU-31 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
AGM-65 A/B
AGM-65 G
AGM-154 Joint Stand Off Weapon (JSOW)
SPICE 1000
SPICE 2000
RAMPAGEDumb bombs
Mk-81 General Purpose (GP) Bomb
Mk-82 General Purpose (GP) Bomb
Mk-82 500lb / Mk-15 Snakeye
Mk-83 General Purpose (GP) Bomb
Mk-84 General Purpose (GP) Bomb
Mk 36 Destructor bomb
MK-20 ROCKEYE
BLU-109/B (Bomb Live Unit)
Μ-129 Leaflet 250 lbs
M-117 General Use 750 lbsAnti Radiation Missiles:
AGM – 88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)Internal Gun:
M61A1 Vulcan 20 mm six-barrel rotary cannon
More Photos
(some photos are F-16D Block 52+ Advanced (2 seater) and from the regular F-16C Block 52+)
Sources: