found it.....is on Jan 2002 issue
UAE F-16 Blk 60 Details - Dubai 2001
For the first time, Lockheed Martin has displayed a detailed model
of a two-seat Block 60 F-16, confirming that at least some of the
UAE's F-16Ds will be fully combat -capable version, similar to the
specialiesd 'big spine' Block 50 F-16Ds now in service in Israel
and Singapore. A significant change has been made to the basic
Block 60 airframe- the planned undernose Integrated FLIR
targeting System (IFTS) has been removed and replaced iwth a new
podded FLIR[, mount on the intake hardpoints.
According to Lockheed Martin, there were problems in achieving the
required performance with the original IFTS layout: consequently
the Northrop Grumman AAQ-32 targeting FLIR and laser designaotr has
been repackaged in a new station. The original wide-area navigation
FLIR housing above the nose has been retained, now sharing cooling
with AAQ-32 pod. Changes have also made to the Northrop Grumman
APG-68(V)5 agile beam radar, necessitating the inroduction of a
brand new designation- APG-80.
The first of 80 Block 60 'Desert Falcon' for the UAE is due to fly
in August 2003 and three aircraft will be devoted to the four month
flight test programme. Deliveries are sceduled to run from 2004 to
2007, with a phased three stage capablity introduction plan for
that timeframe. The Block 60 weapons integration will be undertaken
at Eglin AFB and in the UAE. According to Lockheed, the Block 60
aircraft will be armed with teh EGBU-24 Paveway III, GPS-guided
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs, the WCMD (Wind Corrected
mUnitions Dispensor), the Hakeem family of powered stand-off
weapons and 'other' weapons, which are known to include AGM-88 high
speed ati-radiation missile (HARM), AIM-9M Sidewinders, and AIM-120
AMRAAMs (see Desert Falcon's AAMS, May 2001, p14)
