Bulgarian F-16 Block 70

[Slater]

From today's US Dept. Of Defense contract announcements:

 

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Ft. Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $512,004,418 firm-fixed-price contract for F-16 Block 70 production for the Republic of Bulgaria.  This contract value includes $4,185,516 of pre-priced options.  This contract provides for the production of eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft.  Work will be completed in Ft. Worth, Texas; and Greenville, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2027.  This contract award is 100% funded via foreign military sales (FMS) to the Republic of Bulgaria and is the result of a Bulgarian country-conducted competition.  FMS funds in the amount of $507,818,902 are being obligated at the time of award.  The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8615-20-C-6051).

 

Let me guess - the same old drab grey paint scheme?

[exdraken]

Incredible that the F-16 can still be sold.

 

 

[Slater]

When Lockheed Martin moved the F-16 assembly lineto South Carolina to concentrate on F-35 work in Texas, possibly they weren't anticipating many new orders. But Bahrain and Slovakia are buying some, and last year Morocco requested 25 new Block 70 aircraft and upgrades to their existing 23 F-16's. And some time ago Lockheed offered the "F-21" variant to India. Although that may be akin to Northrop renaming the F-5G the F-20.

Edited April 5, 2020 by Slater

[Slater]

In fact, Morocco gets my vote for one of the more striking F-16 camo schemes:

 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

2 hours ago, Slater said:

In fact, Morocco gets my vote for one of the more striking F-16 camo schemes:

 

Agreed now i need to build one ! Looks like its two thirds of the Israeli colors, just no green. 

[Truro Model Builder]

There seems to be more variety in F-16 colours now than there has ever been. For grey jets the Romanian aircraft aren't too bad, but this has fast become my favourite F-16 scheme. Even better than the Indonesians.

 

 

Most definitely NOT my image. Credit to Ross Forsyth on flickr.

[Slater]

That would seem to suit Alaska's environment quite well.

[exdraken]

Venezuela, yes you read correctly also has a very nice scheme..

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/95/77/bb/9577bb9fafe70d360bb6ce0904bcc185.jpg

[Giorgio N]

IMHO the F-16 has been unjustly criticised by too many modellers for being "just another boring grey aircraft..". Yes it's true that the majority of F-16s have worn grey schemes but 1) there's been a few different grey and blue-grey schemes and 2) with so many foreign customers and the use in many US aggressor units, there's never been a lack of more colourful schemes for the F-16.

And more, even if most are grey, several countries have applied some very interesting unit markings, something that not too many types carry today. Several ANG units have also decorated their F-16 tails with some interesting designs.

So bring on the new Bulgarian aircraft ! Will be interesting to see what scheme and markings they will carry once in service

[Truro Model Builder]

For many years, most F-16s were in the same three-tone grey as used by the USAF or variations thereof. The obvious exceptions were Israel, Venezuela and Indonesia. But there does seem to be more variety appearing now, I think largely as air forces are buying F-16 variants not used by the USAF (which never procured anything beyond Block 50/52).