Aviation Week & Space Technology
12/15/2003, page 86
Edward H. Phillips
Dallas
UAE F-16s
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. flew the first of 80 F-16E/F
fighters for the United Arab Emirates on Dec. 6 in Fort
Worth.
Chief test pilot Steve Barter flew the two-seat jet for 50 min.,
attaining a maximum speed of 330 kt., an altitude of 15,000 ft. and
inducing a maximum of 3g on the airplane. Barter performed a series
of flight profiles that included evaluation of avionics as well as
aircraft handling characteristics. "We flew some important test
points," Barter said.
The F-16E/F is the first change in airframe designation for the
multirole fighter since 1984, when the F-16C/D was introduced, said
John L. Bean, vice president for F-16 programs. Upgrades include a
new cockpit configuration with digital instrumentation and three 5
X 7-in. color displays. The UAE fleet will be powered by General
Electric F110-GE-132 engines, each rated at 32,500 lb. of thrust. A
new electronic warfare suite will be installed, along with APG-80
Agile Beam radar and an integrated Flir targeting system.
