So it appears that the (available/used) F-16's is making the rounds...yet again.
This time a Nation has confirmed its intent to sell off its F-16, which are being replaced by the more modern F-35 (JSF/Joint Strike Fight).
That Nation being Norway.
Norwegian F-16 to be sold - must come other nations in the bargain to get the best price
Invest in selling at least 28 fighters in one tank.
Norwegian F-16 at Bodø flight station is being prepared in connection with an exercise in 2017.
OCT 29 2019
In two years from now, the latest F-16 aircraft will be phased out by the Air Force.
The 331 Squadron in Bodø will deliver QRA readiness for NATO ("Quick Reaction Alert") with F-16 out of 2021, but after that this job is taken over by Evenes F-35.
It is almost 40 years since Norway delivered the first of 72 ordered F-16 Fighting Falcon. Although this is starting to become a well-used aircraft, they are lovingly cared for and can still be of value.
Now Defense Materials (FMA) is in the process of examining the market and investigating what kind of opportunities exist to sell the fighter planes.
As early as possible
Norway has an edge on some F-16 nations when it comes to replacing them with the F-35, such as Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands. In order for the disposal project to be a success, it is essential to keep this leader jersey:
- It is assumed that the Norwegian market position will weaken as other nations put their F-16 fleets on the ground, so it is necessary to carry out disposal as early as possible, states a letter from the Ministry of Defense (FD) .
Here, the FMA is given the task of disposing of the F-16 system in such a way that the greatest financial benefit is achieved, though of course within the regulations and in line with instructions from the Ministry.
On April 1 this year, the F-16 flew from Ørland for good. Now the planes are gathered in Bodø, while Ørland is a pure F-35 base.
Trying to sell 57 aircraft
Norway's first F-16 landed on Rygge on January 15, 1980. Today, the Air Force has a total of 57 F-16s which have been subject to upgrades continuously since they were delivered.
24 of the Norwegian aircraft belong to what is known as Block 10,
while 33 are F-16 Block 15. Already in the 90s, the 24 Block 10 aircraft received new wings (corresponding to Block 15) and a new horizontal stabilizer (they were factory fitted) with smaller tail surface. Subsequently, new wings, including actuators and front flaps (lef), have also been acquired for the Block 15 aircraft. Certainly not 33 sets, but 24.
According to the FD / FMA, the current plan is mainly to fly 28 F-16 Block 15 out of the year 2021. Remaining machines, mainly Block 10 and some Block 15, are mostly already on the ground and are currently in varying technical state.
The strategy is to try to sell the 28 machines that are phased out last in one block preferably to one nation, including spare parts packages.
The FMA refers to conversations they have had with potential customers, and that it is desirable to be able to offer machines that have at least 1,200 hours of life.
F-16 refills fuel in a shelter at Bodø Airport.
Distribution of flight hours
In the mission letter, the Armed Forces is told, among other things, to investigate and recommend possible measures to ensure that as many as possible of the last 28 machines have at least 1,200 hours of flight time left on the hull and elucidate the consequences of this.
The F-16 is basically designed to handle at least 8,000 flight hours. Average flying time on the Norwegian hulls has passed 6,000 hours, Teknisk Ukeblad was informed this spring.
The other machines should also be tried to be sold, even if this entails costs related to repair, completion and the like, if this proves to generate positive revenue stream, the ministry writes.
In addition, it will also be desirable to sell both end-of-life engines and other spare parts. In this connection, the Armed Forces must consider the consequences and costs it will have when critical parts can no longer be picked up from aircraft placed on the ground.
This image is from the roll-out ceremony for the first production copy of F-16 in August 1978, where we see Norway represented together with the rest of the EPAF nations that had ordered aircraft.
Still produced
The first F-16 aircraft was delivered from the General Dynamics plant in Fort Worth, Texas in August 1978. Later, Lockheed Martin took over the business and so far 4,588 copies have been produced.
There will be more: Earlier this year, the new production line opened in Greenville, South Carolina, and construction of the first of 16 F-16 Block 70/72 to Bahrain is underway. 14 similar aircraft will be produced for Slovakia and 8 for Bulgaria. US authorities have also approved the sale of 25 flights to Morocco and 66 flights to Taiwan.
Lockheed Martin is also working hard to sell the latest version of the F-16 to India, but the aircraft will then be called the F-21. In addition, Greece has decided to upgrade 84 of its aircraft to the latest version.
When it comes to selling used F-16s, for example, Romania has purchased a total of 17 aircraft from Portugal and should still be looking for more. Indonesia has also bought used F-16, from the US.
It goes without saying that the F-16 Block 70 has evolved a lot from the YF-16 prototype that flew for the first time in January 1974. The aircraft has gained considerable weight, but increased weight is offset by 40 percent more thrust from the engines. The latest F-16 has capabilities that propel it towards the five-generation fighter aircraft, with new avionics and weapon capabilities and modern sensors, with the new Northrop Grumman APG-83 aesa radar at its head.
The F-16V Block 70 is in production at the factory that has been relocated to Greenville, South Carolina.
From cutting to multi-role
The aircraft Norway used in the 1980s and 1990s is referred to as the F-16 OCU ("Operational Capability Upgrade"). This upgrade included digital engine control on the engines (F100-220E) and integration of the Kongsberg missile Penguin Mk 3.
The major mid-life update (MLU) was implemented from the late 1990s and helped transform the F-16 from an anti-sea and counter air fighter into a multi-role fighter with the ability to use advanced and precise air-to-ground weapons.
These and later updates to the aircraft's software, called the "Operational Flight Program" (OFP), have helped equip the aircraft with more advanced weapons, sensors, communications equipment and self-protection. For the past 15 years, the F-16 has undergone a number of OFP updates. These are M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M6.5 and S1.
For example, helmet sight, data link (Link-16), and GPS-guided so-called "smart bombs" (JDAM GBU-31/38) came in M3, while the short-range missile Iris-T came with the M4 update.
For seven months, all operational F-16 aircraft have been in Bodø. On April 1, it ended both for 338 Squadron and for the F-16 operations in Ørland. The idea is that to force the F-16 resources into 331 squadron, the Air Force ensures a robust squadron structure out of the aircraft's lifespan.
It is talk of a short time before 332 Squadron in Ørland becomes operational with the F-35A. The first assignment is likely to be air control, called "Air Policing" in Icelandic airspace on behalf of NATO in March 2020.
Link:
https://www.tu.no/artikler/norske-f...asjoner-i-forkjopet-for-a-fa-best-pris/477518
