Upgraded Israeli F-16 Completed

摘要

Israel has completed the first upgrade of a Lockheed Martin F-16C/D to Barak 2020 standard. The modernisation involves installing a new head-up display, colour cockpit displays, digital debriefing and other unspecified systems from Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit. It will bring the aircraft up to a comparable level with the F-16I Soufa. Work is being undertaken at F-16C bases under the supervision of the Israel Air & Space Force's primary maintenance unit. Approximately 124 Block 30 and 40 aircraft are expected to be upgraded to keep them operationally effective until 2020. The implementation of the upgrades follows trials using a F-160 test-bed. Israel will not upgrade further its early F-16A/Bs, which are due to be retired.