- Yes
- No (Explain why)
Suggestion No.76
G’day lads. I want to suggest an upgrade proposal for other nations from Israel’s IAI company, featuring a better radar and Israeli weaponry, all of which is found on the ACE (Avionics Capabilities Enhancement) upgrade :)
Description:
Spoiler
The Avionics Capabilities Enhancement from IAI was meant to further upgrade F-16’s for other nations, featuring an (at the time) advanced Elta EL/M-2032 multimission radar, which replaced the older APG-66 radar. Additionally, other weapons such as Python 4 IR (paired with a DASH HMS) and Derby ARH missiles for air-missions were given, and for ground-missions it had Griffin laser guided bombs, as well as Popeye AGM. For guidance of those ground weapons, a LITENING pod was also carried. Other changes include upgrades to the cockpit like improved MFD and HUD, as well as being capable of carrying ECM pods.
History:
Spoiler
The IAI 4X-ACE was originally an F-16B Block 5, a double-seater variant of the early production F-16. Initially operated by the United States Air Force, the aircraft was later transferred to the Israeli Air Force in 1994, where it was stationed at Ramon Air Force Base.
In the late 1990s, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) repurposed the aircraft as a test platform for advanced avionics upgrades. The modifications included the integration of an open-architecture avionics suite, incorporating components from several Israeli defense companies, including Elta, Elbit, El-Op, Astronautics, RADA, Rafael (Malam division), Rokar, IMI (Israel Military Industries), Shaham Electronics, and Orbit. A key feature (as I already mentioned in the description) of the upgrade was the Elta EL/M-2032 radar, equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities. Other important upgrades include Israeli made weapons and other systems such as ECM.
The aircraft, designated F-16 ACE (Avionics Capabilities Enhancement), was marked with the number 313 and carried the callsign 4X-ACE. It conducted its maiden flight in May 2001.
The IAF evaluated the upgrade, but ultimately decided against its implementation due to budget constraints, opting instead to purchase additional F-16I “Sufa” aircraft. IAI showcased the aircraft at the Paris Air Show and proposed the ACE upgrade to the Venezuelan Air Force, but the U.S. government prohibited the sale.
The aircraft was retired from service in 2004 and has been stored in an open facility at IAI. It is now located on Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
Armaments:
Spoiler
M61 20mm cannon
Python 4 AAM
Derby AAM
Popeye AGM
SPICE 2000 guided bomb
Griffin LGB
Fuel tanks
LITENING II
ELL-8212 ECM pod
Sky Shield ECM pod (?)
Elta EL/M-2032 radar
HMS/HMD (DASH)
^ Allegedly photoshop, but it appears this is not the case, as this is the original. The actual photoshopped image had the ACE text, as well as the logos on the missiles removed (possibly for marketing)
^ Older image from a document, as well as a different angle
^ The ACE prototype at the 1999 Paris Air Show did not have the number 313 on the vertical tail. Instead, it said 001 instead of 4X-ACE. It can be seen carrying a Popeye AGM
Specifications:
Spoiler
I can’t find specific info about the 4X-ACE and if it had any changes, so I’ll use the normal F-16B specifications. It has a length of 15.1m, a wingspan of 9.45m and a height of 5.08m. The empty weight is around 7390kg, with a MTOW of 19200kg. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 engine, giving out 55.2kN dry and 106.4kN with a full afterburner. This gives it a speed of around Mach 2.0.
Sources:
Spoiler
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants - Wikipedia
Israeli F-16s are targeted for upgrades | News | Flight Global
https://web.archive.org/web/20000615202825/http://www.sentry.hangar1.net/show99-01.html
https://www.jetphotos.com/registration/4X-ACE
https://www.iai.co.il/p/f-16-aerostructures
https://bemil.chosun.com/brd/files/BEMIL081/upload/EL-2032.pdf
https://navyleague.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/The-Navy-Vol_67_No_2-Apr-2005.pdf
Israeli Defense Industries Consortium Unveils Upgraded F-16 Ace Aircraft At Paris Air Show
Los F-16 Israelíes | Page 8 | Zona Militar
ACE, o solutie mai buna pentru Romania in locul MLU - Romania Military
Thanks a lot for reading! If you have any extra information, then feel free to share them in the replies! As always, have a good day :)