New radio-location stations, navigation systems, mission computers, display systems, radio-electronic combat devices. In autumn, the U.S. government agreed to sale the Polish Army modernization packages of multi-purpose F-16 Hawk aircraft to the Viper standard. Thanks to them these machines will be able to better meet the requirements of the modern battlefield.
It was undoubtedly the largest and most crucial arms contract for the Polish Army, which our government signed after Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance. acquisition 48 multi-purpose combat aircraft The F-16 version of the C/D Block 52+ (Advanced) in April 2003 cost an astronomical amount from the defensive budget point – $3.5 billion. However, thanks to these machines, the first western combat aircraft sold to the country of the Warsaw Pact, we became the leader of NATO on its east flank. And although the American F-16, which received in the Polish Army the distinguishing name "Jastrząb", is inactive the basis of the Polish Air Force, due to their age and the improvement of technology, it became essential to modernise them, which will let them to face the challenges of the modern battlefield.
For the sake of clarity, the thought of upgrading the F-16 was not born in Poland. This is the world's largest user, the United States Army, in the mediate of the last decade, who prepared a modernization package called Viper – in Polish Żmija. In short, it boils down to improving key electronic aircraft systems – its AN/APG-68(V)9 radiolocation station, mission computer, navigation systems and radio-electronic combat system. To make the most of recently installed components, model designers Viper placed a fresh display strategy in the cockpit and developed suitable helmets for pilots.
Experts have no uncertainty that the key to the F-16V capability (because specified a designation was given to a upgraded aircraft) is the exchange of AN/APG-68(V)9 radar to APG-83 radiolocation station with an active electronically scanned antenna array, the alleged AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array). This device allows the pilot to track 20 targets simultaneously and as provided by its maker (not revealing detailed data), allows them to be detected from a much longer distance than AN/APG-68(V)9 and unchangeable operation even in very hard weather and method conditions (e.g. interference caused by another aircraft and their radars).
Radio-electronic combat
When analyzing an upgrade package to the F-16 called Viper, it cannot be overlooked that it mostly responds to fresh challenges in the field of radio-electronic warfare. This is why not only the fresh WRE strategy – AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS (Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite) from Northrop Grumman or AN/ALQ-254(V)1 from L3Harris (the ordering army can choose the corresponding model and manufacturer, and both solutions can be equipped with SAASM (Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module) or M-Code) encryption modules on request, but besides a fresh EGI inertial navigation strategy (Embedded GPS Inertial).
All changes in aircraft electronics F-16V are complemented by fresh mission computers that enable the usage of the latest weapons systems that have been developed in fresh years, including glide bombs and long-range maneuvering missiles.
Negotiations
In October, the US Department of State agreed to sale of MLU (Midlife Upgrade) Viper to the Polish Army designed for 48 of our Hawks. For a maximum of $7 billion, it can acquisition from Lockheed Martin, among others: 58 AN/APG-83 SABR radio-location stations; 58 programmable IPDG (Improved Programmable Display Generator) displays; 58 EGI satellite navigation platform modules; 60 MMC 7000AH mission upgrade packages, 60 XMC next generation mission computers and 73 AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS radio-electronic combat systems or 73 AN/ALQ-254V(1) units.
Negotiations with the American company proceed and, as unofficially announced by representatives liable for them Armed Forces Agency, their aim is to importantly reduce the maximum price imposed by the American government.
