The F-16C PoBIT is an upgrade package for the US F-16C aircrafts to bring enhancements that will allow them to remain in service until at least 2040. Spearheaded by Lockheed Martin and supported by various other contractors, the PoBIT upgrades aim to bring over 600 Block 40/42 and 50/52 aircrafts up to a similar standard to that of the F-16C Block 70/72’s that are planned to be in service with various foreign nations around the world.
History
In the 1960’s a program would be started to find a air superiority fighter that could overcome the challenges faced by fighter pilots during the Vietnam War, this would become known as the Lightweight Fighter Program, also known as the Fighter Mafia. Multiple proposals for the Air Forces next fighter aircraft were made, the most notable being the YF-16 by General Dynamics, and the YF-17 by Northrop. In 1975 after multiple tests and careful consideration, the YF-16 was chosen and would be developed into the F-16 we know today.
The F-16A would enter service with the USAF in October 1980 with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The F-16 would go on to prove itself worthy of being called one of the most successful 4th Gen aircraft ever made after seeing success in various conflicts from combat over the Balkans to Operation Desert Storm and other conflicts in the Middle East and with 25 foreign operators from around the world.
Today the the US primarily uses the F-16C Block 50/52 and Block 40/42, these were scheduled to remain in service until 2025 but due to delays to it’s successor, the F-35, it’s retirement date has been pushed back until 2040. To achieve this impressive lifespan, a package of upgrades are set to be made to ensure the US’s F-16 fleet remains combat effective, the Post Block Integration Team, or PoBIT for short.
The PoBIT upgrades consist of at least 22 modifications, most notably the radar is to be upgraded to the AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) which is an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar (AESA), Link 16 battlefield communication system and a new Center Display Unit (CDU) and cockpit upgrades to enhance the pilots capabilities to name but a few upgrades. It has been announced that around 608 F-16’s will be upgraded through the PoBIT project. Overall the PoBIT upgrades aim to bring the US F-16C fleet to a similar standard to that of the F-16C Block 70/72 (F-16V) aircrafts that are being developed for foreign nations such as Taiwan and Bahrain.
Specifications
Size
- Length - 15.06m
- Height - 4.9m
- Wingspan - 9.96m
Weight
- Empty weight - 8,573 kg
- Gross weight - 12,020 kg
- Max takeoff weight - 19,187 kg
Powerplant
- 1 x F110-GE-129 (Block 50)
Or - 1 x F100-PW-229 (Block 52)
Speed
- Max speed at 40,000 (clean) - 2,178kph (Mach 2.05)
- Max speed at sea level - 1,482kph (Mach 1.2)
- Cruise speed - 933kph
Armament (Same as F-16C Block 50)
Gun
- 1 x 20mm M61A1 Vulcan (512 rounds)
Air to Air
- AIM-9L/M/X Sidewinder
- AIM-120A/B/C/D AMRAAM
- AIM-7M Sparrow
Air to Ground
- AGM-65 Maverick
- AGM-84 Harpoon
- AGM-88 HARM
- AGM-158 JASSM
- GBU-12 Paveway II
- GBU-24 Paveway III
- GBU-39 SDB
- JDAM/LJDAM
- Mark 82/83/84 General Purpose bombs
Fuel Tanks
- 3 x 300/330/370/600 Gallon Drop Tanks
Avionics
- JHMCS
- AN/ALQ-131 / 184 ECM pods
- AN/ALE-47 Chaff-Flare Dispensers
- AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy System
- AN/AAQ-28 LITENING
- AN/AAQ-33 Sniper ATP
- AN/APG-83 SABR AESA Radar
- AN/ALR-69(V) RWR
- AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS)
- TERMA PIDSU Countermeasure pods (from ANG F-16’s)
Images
First F-16C upgraded through PoBIT flying over South Korea.
A pair of F-16’s that were equipped with SABR AESA radar and IVEWS.
AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar being installed in an F-16.
The cockpit of the Block 70/72’s which PoBIT aims to make the standard for US F-16’s.
- Yes
- No
- 13.7
- 14.0
- 14.3
- 14.7
- 15.0
- 15.3+
- I said no
- Tech Tree Vehicle
- Squadron Vehicle
- Event Vehicle
- Premium Vehicle
- I said no
Sources
Defence Mirror - First Upgraded F16 Joins US Air Force Base in South Korea
RAAF Documentary - 50 years of the F-16
The Aviation Geek Club - USAF to Upgrade 608 F-16 fighter jets to V variant in Viper Fleet largest Modification Work in History
The Aviationist - How The U.S. Air Force Will Keep Its F-16s Flying Into The 2040s
Wikipedia - General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center - F-16 fleet undergoing largest modification work in history
The War Zone - 608 U.S. Air Force F-16s Are Getting The Type’s Largest Combined Upgrade Package Ever
Kunsan Air Base - 8FW flies first 7AF PoBIT upgraded F-16
Air Force - Upgraded F-16 rejoins 8th FW
The Aviationist - Osan Air Base Receives Upgraded F-16s From Misawa