Comparison of Two Fighters : French Rafale F4R vs American F-16 Block 70 Viper

Modernization Activities of the Greek Air Force:

It is stated by aviation authorities that Rafale versions with F4R (Note 1) standard are equivalent to F-16 V (Block 70/72) (Note 2) aircraft, and some features of Rafale are partially superior to F-16. In our previous article, we talked about the 18 Rafale aircraft project, which is planned to be in the inventory of Greece by 2023. In this context, we wrote that we will make a comparison of the F-16 aircraft in the inventory of the Greek Air Force after the modernization, which is expected to be completed in 2027, that is, the F-16V version, which is the most advanced and most capable F-16 configuration today, and the Rafale fighter jets.

According to open sources, the Greek Air Force launched 40 F-16 Block 30, 38 F-16 Block 50 (mostly LANTIRN-capable), 60 F-16 Block 52 and 32 Block 52+ aircraft from the United States under various programs starting in 1988. (a total of 170 F-16s). Out of a total of 170 aircraft, 154 are in flight. Currently, 70 Block 30/50 and 84 Block 52/52+ F-16 fighter jets are in the inventory. Greek F-16s, all of which are in the fourth generation fighter class, have features suitable for multi-role (air defense, fighter-bomber, some defensive pressure and LANTIRN) missions. In order to modernize the Block 30/50 versions of F-16 aircraft, Greece will subject it to a “common configuration”, namely CCIP modernization. It started the F-16V version upgrade program for the other 84 F-16 Block 52 aircraft. CCIP and F-16V programs will be operated in conjunction with each other. Appropriate parts/systems from Block 52/52+ aircraft included in the F-16V program will be transferred to Block 30/50 aircraft. This combined program will be run jointly by Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-16 aircraft, and the Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI), based in Schimatari, about 40 km northwest of Athens. Within the scope of the signed contract, the flight tests of the modernized F-16V, which made its first flight in Greece on January 17, 2021, are currently continuing in the USA.

Lockheed Martin F-16V Modernization:

Lockheed Martin; It is stated that the experience gained from life improvement (MLU) and CCIP modernizations made to F-16s that have proven themselves in various air battles and wars around the world has been transferred to the F-16V modernization. It also describes the F-16V aircraft as a fighter jet that has been transformed into a kind of 4++, with some features from the F-35 fifth generation warplanes. With the F-16V program, the Greek Air Force will provide a significant increase in the capacity of fighter jets at a much cheaper cost compared to the cost of purchasing new aircraft. This modernization program, which will cost 25-30 million USD per aircraft, will both extend the life of the aircraft and provide a significant increase in capability for the Greek Air Force in the medium term. On the other hand, it was stated that the sale of Su-57 aircraft, which was introduced by the RF at the MAKS Airshow on July 21, 2021, will be around 25-30 million USD, with a very ambitious price announcement. If the numbers are correct, Greece would have modernized its fourth-generation F-16s for the price of buying a fifth-generation fighter. This is probably the irony of military aviation.

The heart of the modernization is the AESA radar, which gives the aircraft multi-mode capability. This radar is a "downgraded (with 95% of AESA capabilities)" version of the F-35 aircraft manufactured. It is an adaptation of Northrop Grumman's APG-83 radar. It is claimed that this radar, which is referred to as SABR (reduced AESA) in the literature, can operate with 3-5 times higher efficiency than the classical APG-83, even in the most challenging electronic attack / jamming environments. The JHMCS II, the integrated “helmet mounted target tracking system” with its advanced cockpit features, draws attention. Other improvements will include a new mission computer, an automatic collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS), advanced electronic warfare capabilities, Link 16 data link and an advanced friend-foe interrogation system (AIFF).

We talked about the features and abilities of a Rafale fighter plane in our previous article. The answer to our topic title, namely the F-16V and Rafale F3/F4 comparison information, is given at the end of our article as pictures in three sequential tables (prepared by the author using open sources).

In the above tables, the points where the Rafale fighter jet is clearly superior are in the red square; The obvious superiorities of the F-16V fighter aircraft are shown in the green square.

Rafale is clearly superior in Invisibility. The design improvements made by Dassault on the Rafale for stealth abilities are quite numerous. Some of them are not included in open sources or some information has not been imported into our article because it contains unreliable content. Both aircraft have radar cross-sectional area (RCS) close to each other, and the use of paint/material that absorbs radar waves is possible for both aircraft. However, in addition to the Rafale, the S-type m

It has features such as engine air intake design, passive radar sensor use, plasma technique, more composite material use. Dassault, with the additional techniques and design improvements it brought to Rafale to bring Rafale F4s to 4++ level, gave Rafale a better stealth ability than F-16, if not as much as fifth generation aircraft.

Only Rafale has the ability to land and take off on Aircraft Carriers.

The payload variety of F-16V aircraft is 6-7 times higher than Rafale on a numerical basis. Lockheed Martin has made improvements to enable F-16V aircraft to fire 180 different types of weapons/ammunition, and has completed the certification processes that will ensure airworthiness under its own control. Countries that will buy Rafale aircraft have to have the ability (for now) to shoot weapons/ammunition in a narrow band range. Lockheed Martin, within the scope of ITAR restrictions, refrains from providing "source codes" that will enable F-16 user countries to integrate / introduce their national ammunition, mission computers of F-16s, fire control radars, except for special agreements. The same is true for Dassault as far as we know.

F-16V fuel consumption/logistics support costs are lower. The F-16 is a relatively inexpensive fighter aircraft that meets perhaps the most cost-effectiveness criteria in the Western world. While the cost of an hour's flight of Rafale aircraft is 28,000 USD, this cost is calculated as 12,000 USD for F-16s. This makes a tremendous difference in the cost of an airplane. For example, let's say both planes flew a total of 4,000 hours over 10 years.

-- The 10-year flight cost for Rafale will be 112 million USD in total. The hourly flight cost of this aircraft, which has high parts/system procurement costs, is 45,000 USD when the maintenance and operation costs are included. In this case, Rafale will be able to fly 4,000 hours at a cost of $180 million ($18 million per aircraft per year).

-- The 10-year flight cost for the F-16 will be 48 million USD in total. Including the maintenance and operating costs, the hourly flight cost is 25,000 USD. In this case, the F-16V will be able to fly 4,000 hours at a cost of $100 million ($10 million per aircraft per year).

Considering the initial purchase costs of the aircraft, Rafale is 120 million USD while the F-16V is 60 million USD. On the other hand, the F-16 Block 52/52+, which will be modernized to the F-16V version, is already in Greece's inventory.

Generally speaking, F-16 aircraft cost a country 360 million USD/30 years/12,000 flight hours (including initial purchase cost) with 12,000 hours of flight cost and initial purchase cost. The service life of Rafale aircraft is currently limited to 8,000 flight hours. We can think that the service life of these aircraft will be extended to 12,000 flight hours similar to the F-16. In this case, Rafale costs a total of 660 million USD/30 years/12,000 flight hours (and including the initial purchase cost) to any country. So, on a 30-year basis, the cost of keeping Rafale fighter jets in inventory is nearly double that of F-16s. In any case, 1 Rafale aircraft does not have enough superiority to disable 2 F-16V aircraft on the battlefield.

Based on the evaluation table above, Rafale emerges as a better aircraft compared to the F-16V (1390) with 1510 points. If you do not have to buy a warplane to be deployed on an aircraft carrier (as far as we know, such a need is not foreseen in Greece's defense planning), there is no point in buying Rafale instead of the F-16V in terms of cost/benefit and overall operational evaluation. Without prejudice to the political factors affecting the purchase decision and the competencies that add value to the purchasing country (providing source codes, technology transfer, etc.), Greece's Rafale purchase is seen as problematic in itself by us.

Abbreviations in the article are given in the table.

Note 1 (Rafale):

F1 variant: The "M" version of the Rafale aircraft was originally produced as a French Navy aircraft. The first version of this aircraft was standardized as F1 (France 1), from now on all Rafale aircraft are based on this standard. The F1 variant was designed to use only air-to-air ammunition, and no weapon and ammunition integration was made for air-to-ground attacks.

F2 variant: It is the addition of reconnaissance and air-to-ground attack capabilities in addition to the F1 variant. The first Rafale M F2R was delivered to the French Navy in May 2006. Meanwhile, in 2008, Safran engine company made SNECMA engines, the engines were named M88 SNECMA.

F3 variant: With a program launched from 2008, the F2 variant has been given the capability to launch nuclear weapons. All F1s and F2s also conform to the F3R standard.

F4 variant: The program was launched on 20 March 2017. In fact, this includes making improvements to aircraft in accordance with MIL-STD-1760 standards, software improvement of the mission computer so that it can throw all the prescribed loads, integrating bomb/weapon carriers into the aircraft, etc. so that Rafale can throw a wide range of weapons. Improvements to weapon systems will be covered by F4. The program continues.

Note 2 (F-16):

YF-16 Prototype Aircraft: The F-16 program was started in 1969 and the first aircraft was named YF-16 (8 aircraft were produced). YF-16 made its first test flight (unplanned, as a result of the plane taking off during the roll control) on January 20, 1974.

Later F-16s began to be called blocks.

F-16A/B Block 1: The first mass production version of the F-16, 94 aircraft were produced. The AN/APG-66 has a Pulse Doppler radar. Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 engine is used.

F-16A/B Block 5: It has been standardized by replacing black with radom gray as it is disadvantageous in dogfights. 197 aircraft were produced.

F-16 A/B Block 10: The capabilities of the aircraft have been slightly improved. 326 aircraft were produced.

F-16 A/B Block 15: The most produced version (983 aircraft). With a program started in 1987, additional pod transport stations were integrated next to the air intake. The maneuvering and control surfaces of the aircraft have been improved by increasing the horizontal stabilization area by 30%. Encrypted radio was used with the OCU, the operational capability enhancement program. In addition, a large head-up display (HUD), AGM-65 Maverick, AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM 120 AMRAAM and AGM-119 Penguin missiles Pratt&Whitney F-100-PW-220 turbofan engine has been installed and digital engine controls have been improved. . Mission computer improvement, radar altimeter, IFF, EH capabilities were added, take-off weight was increased.

F-16 A/B Block 20 (MLU): It is the structural/software improvement of a total of 949 Block 15 aircraft. MLU aircraft are integrated with new types of sensors and systems, new mission computer. Advanced AIFF fitted, APG-66 (V2) Fire Control Radar FCR improved. Helmet mounted sight system, color screens, ergonomic HOTAS (throttle lever), reconnaissance pod carrying capability, HARM, JASSM, JDAM, GBU-12, SDB, AIM-120D, AIM-9X, Link 16 datalink capabilities have been added.

F-16 C/D Block 25: 244 aircraft were produced. Improvements to APG 68 (V) radar, F100-PW-220E engine.

F-16 C/D Block 30/32: After this point, airplanes fitted with General Electric F-110-GE-100 engines began to be defined as Block 30, and airplanes with Pratt & Whitney engines as Block 32. The last digit of the block number ending with “0” is GE, the ones ending with “2” are PW motorized. 646 large inlet aircraft were produced, most of which had a performance enhancing role.

F-16 C/D Block 40/42: LANTIRN (night operation capability) feature has been added to some of them. It is equipped with the APG-68 V(5) radar. The landing gear of the planes has been strengthened in order to carry more ammunition. GPS, Target and Navigation pods aircraft have been added for LANTIRN. Laser guided bombs GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-24 have been added to the ammunition range of the aircraft. The aircraft's maximum take-off weight (MTOW) has been increased to 42,300 pounds. 799 aircraft were produced from this block.

F-16 C/D Block 50/52: F110-GE-129 (29,000 pounds) and F100-PW-229 (28,500 pounds) turbofan engines were installed, weapon improvements were made. In total, 995 aircraft were produced.

F-16 C/D Block 50/52 +: Conformal fuel tanks and MIDS-LVT and Link-16 added as standard capability. By painting the planes with a paint similar to the RAM paint used in F-35 aircraft, radar trace reduction (invisibility) improvement was made. The oxygen system OBOGS and the advanced helmet-mounted joint sight system JHMCS have been adapted to the aircraft.

F-16 E/F Block 60 Desert Falcon: It is an advanced version of the F-16 specially produced for the "Iran" threat for the United Arab Emirates. AN/ASQ-28 IFTS imaging system, AN/APG-80 ABR AESA radar, ALQ-165 ECM system, full digital cockpit, F110-GE-132 (32,500 pounds) turbo engine improvements have been made.

F-16 V Block 70/72: It is the name of the program that extends the life of F-16s until the 2070s. Export versions are equipped with AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar. Auto-GCAS is installed. In line with the structural improvement, the body life has been extended by 50% (12,000 hours instead of 8,000 hours).

Here are some of the references that we used in this article:

F-16V Booklet for Greece, https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/f-16/f-16-greece.html (Accessed July 28, 2021)

NIALL, McCarthy, “The World's Largest Military Aircraft Fleets”, statista, https://www.statista.com/chart/24431/active-number-of-military-aircraft-by-country/ (Accessed July 28, 2021) )

DONALD, D. “First Upgraded F-16V Fighter For Greece Takes Flight”, January 21, 2021, Ainonline, https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2021-01-21/first-upgraded-f-16v-fighter-greece-takes-flight (Accessed July 26, 2021)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenic_Air_Force (Accessed July 28, 2021)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Rafale (Accessed July 28, 2021)

Military Magazine, https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/chinese-breakthrough-in-stealth-technology-to-revolutionise-radar-evading-capabilities-for-j-20-j-31-h-20-and- others (Access Date: July 26, 2021)

CHARPENTREAU, C. “Greece receives its first Dassault Rafale fighter jet”, Aerotime Hub, https://www.aerotime.aero/28427-greece-receives-its-first-dassault-rafale-fighter-jet?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium= email (Access Date: July 27, 2021)

Defense Industry Daily, F-35 Lightning: The Joint Strike Fighter Program, https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/cat/aircraft/fighters-attack/ (Accessed July 27, 2021)

TREVITHIC, J. “Greece Plans to Spend Billions Upgrading Its F-16 Fighter Jet Fleet”, The Warzone, October 17, 2017, https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/15233/greece-plans- to-spend-billions-upgrading-its-f-16-fighter-jet-fleet (Access Date: July 22, 2021)