Using Block specific naming convention for F-16s sometimes confuses the subtle differences between one same block range (F-16 variants)(case being F-16 C/D Block 50/52/Plus) – Most probably this has already been posted in the forum but it becomes hard to navigate through 100s upon hundreds of Posts and threads to find what one is looking for, so I thought would be nice to share what is my understanding in the differentiating between the Variations of F-16 Block 50, 52 and 52+
Obviously there has to be a reason for calling one Block 50 another Block 52 and yet another Block 52+.
F-16C/D Block 50 and 52
The aircraft are equipped with improved GPS/INS, and the aircraft can carry a further batch of advanced missiles: the AGM-88 HARM missile, JDAM, JSOW and WCMD.
Carries a APG-68(V9) radar,
Power plant wise difference is that a Block 50 aircraft would carry the F110-GE-129 engine while the Block 52 jet would use the F100-PW-229.
F-16C/D Block 52 Plus
This variant, which is also known as the Block 52+. Its main differences are the addition of support for conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), a dorsal spine compartment on F-16 D 52+, the APG-68(V9) radar, an On-Board Oxygen Generation (OBOGS) system and a JHMCS helmet.
All two-seat "Plus" aircraft have the enlarged avionics dorsal spine compartment. The dorsal fairing was designed, mocked up, fabricated and installed during regular routine assembly while these aircraft were on the production line in Fort Worth. The dorsal spine is believed to accommodate Wild Weasel equipment (amongst others Elisra's SPS-3000 self-protection jammer) for Israeli F-16s, which detects emissions from enemy radar sites and pinpoints their locations, and specialized weapon delivery systems, such as 'smart bombs' guided using the back seat's side stick for control. Israeli Air force only confirms that it has various electronic systems (think they did not confirm Wild Weasel equipment).
The Block 52 Plus is a version which has special provisions for the adverse weather delivery of the Boeing JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition). The update includes an add-on tail unit containing a synthetic aperture radar, providing guidance to 1,000lbs Mk.83, 2,000lbs Mk.84 and the 2,000lbs BLU-109 warhead.
F-16 52 Plus is also powered by F100-PW-229.
Content references :
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article9.html
Cheil Ha'avir Israel Defense Force/Air Force - IDF/AF