Updated West Florida with:
F-16EW Buzzard
In the aftermath of the F-16 Block 60+ deal with the West Floridian Air Force, Texan companies Lockheed Martin & Texas Instruments composed a conceptional electronic warfare variant of the F-16 Block 60+ that the WFAF could procure for service against Cuban coastal radar stations. The offer was a private venture and primarily a conceptual project to propose the idea similarly to the Texan Air Force for their own electronic warfare needs. The design was depicted at the Emerald Coast Defense Expo 2024 (EXDE 2024) with various nation's schemes depicted upon the aircraft, including that of West Florida, as seen above.
The Lockheed Martin officials unveiled their concept, equipped with wingtip AN/ALQ-218s, NGJ-MB Mid-Band Jamming Pods, Increased SATCOM connectivity, and Electronic Warfare terminals in the airframe itself. Additional modifications include the modernization of AGM guidance systems and localization trackers. The F-16EW's strike package comes in the form of 2x Enclosed Weapons Pods (EWP) on the wings, each able to hold 2x AIM-120 AMRAAMs & 2x AGM-88G AARGM-ER. Using the EWPs allows for the F-16EW to reduce its RCS; and add a total of 6 additional hardpoints, allowing the aircraft to conduct self-defense and anti-radiation targeting roles.
Much like the Block 60+, the F-16EW utilizes conformal fuel pods with a probe-capable attachment to allow for probe & drogue refueling operations. The use of conformal tanks also frees up additional hard points. However, the wingtip AN/ALQ-218s take over the ability to place AMRAAM or Sidewinder missiles on the wingtips. Although it is unlikely the WFAF will procure the type, as the electronic warfare role currently is filled by the EC-130J and RC-26B, the concept may prove useful for other operators.
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Worklist:
- Solkriet - My Personal AU:
http://www.shipbucket.com/forums/viewto ... 14&t=10834
- America the Divided - Joint-Project between Minepagen and I
http://www.shipbucket.com/forums/viewto ... =14&t=9855
- Occasionally the Random pop-ups of my Abyssinia or Hong Kong AUs
"The word Br*t?sh is a horrible term I never want to hear from you again, We do not tolerate that dehumanization".