HOME | DD

Description
The number of F-16s in Portuguese service was increased to thirty with the return of three F-16B two-seaters to service. Under Portugal 2035, the type was to be split into three squadrons of ten aircraft until its replacement.
After evaluating the possible alternatives, the FAP decided to retain and thoroughly upgrade the F-16 to a standard some way between the F-16V and the F-21 proposal. Dubbed F-16V+ by Lockheed Martin, this involved upgrading the airframes to Block 72 standard with AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar AESA, a new Center Pedestal Display, modernized mission computer, Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, Falcon Edge Integrated Electronic Warfare Suite RWR, AN/ALQ-165 Self-Protection Jammer and F100-PW-229EEP engine, but also introduced the integrated probe-and-drogue conformal fuel tanks from the F-21 proposal, allowing it to refuel in flight from the FAP's tanker-transport fleet.
Thirty upgrade kits were supplied by Lockheed Martin and upgrades were carried out by OGMA. The upgrade work also involved zero-houring the ageing airframes by replacing any worn components, giving the airframes a huge boost in lifespan. Upon completion of the upgrade, the type was painted in the USAF's Have Glass V scheme to reduce its radar signature. Of the three squadrons, Esquadra 301 was dedicated to multi-role FIR rapid reaction operations; Esquadra 201 was assigned to mainland air defence and conversion training; while Esquadra 202 was split into two five-ship detachments and assigned to air defence of the Azores and Madeiran archipelagos.

Description
The number of F-16s in Portuguese service was increased to thirty with the return of three F-16B two-seaters to service. Under Portugal 2035, the type was to be split into three squadrons of ten aircraft until its replacement.
After evaluating the possible alternatives, the FAP decided to retain and thoroughly upgrade the F-16 to a standard some way between the F-16V and the F-21 proposal. Dubbed F-16V+ by Lockheed Martin, this involved upgrading the airframes to Block 72 standard with AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar AESA, a new Center Pedestal Display, modernized mission computer, Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, Falcon Edge Integrated Electronic Warfare Suite RWR, AN/ALQ-165 Self-Protection Jammer and F100-PW-229EEP engine, but also introduced the integrated probe-and-drogue conformal fuel tanks from the F-21 proposal, allowing it to refuel in flight from the FAP's tanker-transport fleet.
Thirty upgrade kits were supplied by Lockheed Martin and upgrades were carried out by OGMA. The upgrade work also involved zero-houring the ageing airframes by replacing any worn components, giving the airframes a huge boost in lifespan. Upon completion of the upgrade, the type was painted in the USAF's Have Glass V scheme to reduce its radar signature. Of the three squadrons, Esquadra 301 was dedicated to multi-role FIR rapid reaction operations; Esquadra 201 was assigned to mainland air defence and conversion training; while Esquadra 202 was split into two five-ship detachments and assigned to air defence of the Azores and Madeiran archipelagos.