The F-16 Fighting Falcon is today the
primary strike aircraft of the Tsvah Haganah le Israel/Heyl Ha'Avir (Israel Defense
Force/Air Force).
Israel had been interested in the F-16
almost from the first, and had approached the US government to explore the possibility of
ordering up to 250 examples, with 200 of them being built under license in Israel.
However, these overtures had been politely turned down, since the US government reserved
delivery of its most advanced military equipment to only its NATO allies, plus South Korea
and Iran.
In August of 1978, the government of
Israel was finally given permission to acquire 75 F-16A/Bs. This change of policy took
place during the height of the Carter Administration's policy of placing severe
restrictions on arms sales to a number of other nations. Such were the close ties to
Israel (the fact that Israel had just signed the Camp David agreement with Egypt did not
hurt) that an exception was granted.
The first F-16 deliveries to Israel took
place under the Peace Marble I Foreign Military Sales program. The first 75
Fighting Falcons delivered to Israel were Block 5/10 F-16A/Bs. These planes had originally
been intended for the Imperial Iranian Air Force, but the fall of the Shah in 1979 and the
rise of the Islamic fundamentalist regime caused these planes to be diverted to Israel.
They had a number of internal changes that were unique to Israeli requirements, including
the fitting of chaff/flare dispensers. Many have been modified in the field with
innovations specific to Israeli requirements. For example, they may have been provided
with the Loral Rapport III electronic countermeasures equipment and new chaff/flare
dispensers, possibly AN/ALE-40s. Some Israeli aircraft may have the Elta 2021B radar in
place of the APG-66. Many of the airframes were upgraded with the larger Block 15
tailplanes to give increased pitch authority, and were given the improved wiring that was
applied to the later Multi-Stage Improvement Program (MSIP).
The first four F-16s arrived in Israel in
July of 1980. IOC was achieved a few weeks later. Combat debut of the F-16 was on April
28, 1981, when IDF/AF F-16s shot down two Syrian Mi-8 helicopters near the Lebanese town
of Zahle.
On June 7, 1981, eight IDF/AF F-16s
destroyed Iraq's Osirak (Tamuz) nuclear reactor near Baghdad, which shut down (at least
temporarily) Saddam Hussein's nuclear weapons program. This involved a 1000-mile
round-trip journey. The bombs used were conventional high-explosive bombs rather than
laser-guided bombs because of the high accuracy of the F-16's bombing computer. Since the
American government had not been consulted in advance about the Osirak attack, the Reagan
administration publically denounced the raid as militarily reckless and temporarily held
up a final batch of 22 F-16A/Bs to Israel. However, the embargo was lifted in August of
1981 and deliveries of F-16s to Israel were allowed to continue.
In 1983-84, F-16s played a key role in Operation
Drugstore, an attack on Syrian missile sites in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Numerous
missile sites were attacked and destroyed and many air battles with Syrian fighters took
place. Israeli F-16s achieved a 44-0 ascendancy over Syrian MiGs during a series of air
battles over Lebanon. One aircraft reportedly shot down four Syrian fighters in a single
sortie. There is at least one IDF/AF F-16 with four Syrian kill insignia on its fuselage.
Under Peace Marble II, Israel was
supplied with late-model F-16C/Ds. The first F-16C/Ds were received in October of 1987.
These were Block 30 aircraft. 51 F-16Cs and 24 F-16Ds were delivered.
Following the cancellation of the
indigenous Lavi fighter project in May of 1988, a follow-on order was placed for 60
F-16C/D Block 40 aircraft (30 F-16Cs, 30 F-16Ds), plus an option for 15 more. This was
under Peace Marble III. The first of these Fighting Falcons arrived in Israel in
August of 1991. The serials of these planes are not yet known.
The baseline F-16A/B is known as Netz
(Falcon) in IDF/AF service, whereas the F-16C is known as Barak (Lightning) and
the F-16D is known as Brakeet (Thunderbolt). The As are primarily serving in the
air defense role, but the C and D have an air-to-ground commitment.
Israeli F-16s have extensive local
modifications, with different avionics fits and higher gross weights, requiring changes in
the landing gear and the use of new wheels. Israeli F-16Cs have been fitted with a number
of locally-produced avionics items including Elta EL/L-8240 electronics countermeasures
equipment to replace the Loral Raport III, and AN/ALE-40 chaff/flare dispensers (or an
indigenous equivalent) in place of the newer AN/ALE-47s found on C models used elsewhere.
Israeli F-16Cs can be equipped with a locally- produced ACM debriefing system which is
packaged into an inert AIM-9 airframe and uses a differential GPS to record the exact
tracks of aircraft for replay during post-mission debriefings. Some Israeli F-16Cs may use
an indigenous radar such as the Elta 2021B or 2032 in place of the APG-68. Israel Military
Industries (IMI) has produced a special 600 US gallon underwing drop tank to replace the
standard 370 US underwing drop tanks, which extends the combat radius of the F-16 by 50
percent. The maximum all-up weight of an Israeli F-16C is reportedly 48,000 pounds, as
compared to 42,300 pounds for a USAF Block 40 F-16C.
All of the IDF/AF's F-16D two-seaters
(both Block 30 and Block 40 aircraft) have been fitted with enlarged dorsal spines.
Although the IDF/AF has not revealed exactly what is in these spines, they are believed to
accommodate Wild Weasel electronic equipment which detects emissions from enemy
radar sites and pinpoints their locations. Other speculation is that the "hump"
on some of these aircraft is for a nuclear weapons delivery capability.
Many IDF/AF F-16Cs and Ds have been
upgraded to the more capable Block 40 standard, with provision for the LANTIRN system and
the ability to carry and launch the HARM antiradiation missile.
For a long time, Israel could not receive
any dedicated long-range strike aircraft such as the F-15E. Accordingly, many of the
IDF/AF F-16Ds were modified as specialized precision strike and defense suppression
aircraft. The rear seat carries a weapons system operator, and the long box-shaped spine
carries additional electronics for use in the precision strike role.
The USAF has embarked upon a Coalition
Force Enhancement (CFE) program in which older F-16s are sold abroad to generate cash for
the purchase of newer models. The first customer for these older CFE F-16s was Israel. As
payment for its restraint during the 1991 Gulf War, Israel was provided with 50 surplus
USAF F-16A/Bs. The first of these were delivered on August 1, 1994. They were all Block 10
aircraft. The delivery was completed in late 1994. About half of these were ex-ANG/AFRes
aircraft, with the remainder being brought out of storage at Davis-Monthan AFB. The
largest batch delivered to Israel were 12 F-16A/Bs from the 157th Fighter Interceptor
Squadron from the South Carolina ANG. These F-16A/Bs will be used primarily for training,
but will undergo a number of modifications in Israel prior to entering IDF/AF service.
They are intended to replace the last of the Kfir fighter bombers which have been placed
in storage at Ovda to await resale to other nations.
A follow-on order for more F-16Cs and Ds
was placed for delivery between 1997 and 1999. These will replace the Douglas A-4N
Skyhawk, the McDonnell F-4E Phantom I, and probably the Kurnass 2000 as well.
On January 14, 2000, the government of
Israel signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for the delivery of 50 F-16I aircraft. The
F-16I is a multi-role version of the F-16 built specifically to Israeli requirements, and
will be built to Block 52 standards and will have a Northrop AN/APG-68(V)X fire-control
radar and will be compatible with the LANTIRN system.
IDF/AF Fighting Falcons are to be fitted
with the Rafael Litening infrared targeting and navigational pod to replace the similar
Martin-Marietta Sharpshooter (which is a downgraded version of the Martin Marietta
AN/AAQ-14, which is the targeting pod of the LANTIRN system) The Sharpshooter pods will be
transferred to the F-15I Eagles which Israel is to receive from 1997.
There is not much information available
on squadron service for the F-16 within the IDF/AF. Israeli F-16s carry squadron badges
and insignia, but these are rarely seen in public due to military censorship. Israel
jealously guards its security and does not want to give away any more information than
necessary to potential enemies. Nevertheless, some squadron information has appeared in
unofficial sources. These are as follows:
- 101 Squadron
Based at Hatzor south of Tel Aviv. Acquired Block
30 F-16C/D in 1987. Exchenged these for Block 40 F-16C/D in early 1990s.
- 105 Squadron
Based at Hatzor south of Tel Aviv. Received Block
40 F-16C/D in 1991.
- 109 Squadron
Based at Ramat David air base in northern Israel.
Exchanged Kfirs for upgraded Block 30 F-16C/D obtained from 101 Squadron in 1991.
- 110 Squadron
Based at Ramat David air base in northern Israel.
Received F-16A/B in 1981, Block 30 F-16C/D in 1987.
- 117 Squadron
Based at Ramat David air base in northern Israel.
Acquired F-16A/B in 1980, the first Israeli squadron to do so. Transitioned to Block 30
F-16C/D in 1987.
- 140 Squadron
Based at Ramon air base in Negev Desert. OCU for
IDF/AF F-16 operations. Acquired F-16A/B in 1987 from 110 and 117 Squadrons.
- 144 Squadron
Based at Hatzor south of Tel Aviv. Transitioned
from Kfir C7 to USAF surplus F-16A/B in 1994.
- 190 Squadron
Based at Ramon air base in Negev Desert. Received
F-16A/Bs from 110 and 117 Squadrons in 1987.
- 253 Squadron
Based at Ramon air base in Negev Desert.
F-16s delivered to Israel carry USAF
serials, and they carry IDF/AF three- or four-digit serial numbers on their tails. The
serialing system is designed to create the impression that there are many more aircraft in
service than there actually are. The F-16A/Bs of the first order were serialed 100 to 138
(with a number of gaps) for the Block 5 aircraft and 001/017 for the eight two-seat
F-16Bs. The Block 10 F-16As were 219 to 299. Block 30 F-16Cs and Ds received serials in
the range 301 to 399 and 020 to 083 respectively. There are numerous gaps and the numbers
do not always follow the same sequential order as do the FMS serials. The 60 Block 40
aircraft so far delivered are serialed 502 through 558 for the Cs and 601 to 687 for the
Ds. The surplus USAF F-16A/Bs that were delivered to Israel in the 1990s have been
appearing in the 700-series serial range.
The last two digits of the aircraft
serial number remain with the plane for its entire life. The initial digit can change
according to the aircraft's modification state. No information has been made public by
Israel concerning these serial number changes other than a couple of publicity photographs
showing F-16Bs with serials in the 100 range which slot in around those numbers allocated
to the Block 5 F-16As.
I am sure that the following list of
serials is incomplete, and I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additions or
corrections.
USAF Serials of Israeli F-16s:
78-001/021 General Dynamics F-16A Block 1 Fighting Falcon
012 to Israel in 1990s
014 to Israel in 1990s
018 to Israel in 1990s.
78-077/098 General Dynamics F-16B Block 1 Fighting Falcon
095 to Israel in 1990s.
78-099/115 General Dynamics F-16B Block 5 Fighting Falcon
106 to Israel in 1990s.
108 to Israel in 1990s.
109 to Israel in 1990s.
111 to Israel in 1990s.
114 to Israel in 1990s.
115 to Israel in 1990s.
78-0308/0325 General Dynamics F-16A Block 5 Fighting Falcon
exported to Israel, Peace Marble I
78-326/335 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10 Fighting Falcon
exported to Israel, Peace Marble I
78-336/345 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10A Fighting Falcon
exported to Israel, Peace Marble I
78-346/349 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10B Fighting Falcon
exported to Israel, Peace Marble I
78-350/354 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10C Fighting Falcon
exported to Israel, Peace Marble I
78-355/362 General Dynamics F-16B Block 5 Fighting Falcon
exported to Israel, Peace Marble I.
79-288 General Dynamics F-16A Block 5 Fighting Falcon
to Israel in 1990s, Peace Marble I.
79-289/357 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10 Fighting Falcon
289 to Israel in 1990s.
291/293 to Israel in 1990s.
295 to Israel in 1990s.
297 to Israel in 1990s.
299 to Israel in 1990s.
302 to Israel in 1990s.
304 to Israel in 1990s.
305 to Israel in 1990s.
319/321 to Israel in 1990s.
325 to Israel in 1990s.
328 to Israel in 1990s.
333 to Israel in 1990s.
339 to Israel in 1990s.
347 to Israel
356 to Israel in 1990s.
79-358/385 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10A Fighting Falcon
358 to Israel in 1990s.
361 to Israel
369 to Israel in 1990s.
79-410/419 General Dynamics F-16B Block 5 Fighting Falcon
410 to Israel in 1990s.
79-420/423 General Dynamics F-16B Block 10 Fighting Falcon
423 to Israel in 1990s.
79-424/428 General Dynamics F-16B Block 10A Fighting Falcon
424 and 425 to Israel in 1990s.
80-479/505 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10C Fighting Falcon
491 to Israel in 1990s.
501/503 to Israel in 1990s.
80-506/540 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10D Fighting Falcon
514 to Israel in 1990s.
516 to Israel in 1990s.
517 to Israel in 1990s.
532 to Israel in 1990s.
534 to Israel in 1990s.
80-623/624 General Dynamics F-16B Block 10B Fighting Falcon
624 to Israel in 1990s.
80-629/636 General Dynamics F-16B Block 10D Fighting Falcon
632 to Israel in 1990s.
80-649/659 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10C Fighting Falcon
exported to Israel, Peace Marble I
80-660/668 General Dynamics F-16A Block 10D Fighting Falcon
exported to Israel, Peace Marble I
86-1598/1601 General Dynamics F-16C Block 30 Fighting Falcon
for Israel under Peace Marble II as 301,
304, 305, and 307
86-1602/1612 General Dynamics F-16C Block 30A Fighting Falcon
for Israel under Peace Marble II as 309,
310,315,317,318,321,324,326,332,333, and 337.
87-1661/1664 General Dynamics F-16C Block 30A Fighting Falcon
for Israel under Peace Marble II as 340,
341,344, and 343
87-1665/1679 General Dynamics F-16C Block 30B Fighting Falcon
To Israel under Peace Marble II as 348,349,
350,353,355, 356,360,364,367,368,371,373,
374,377,and 378
87-1680/1693 General Dynamics F-16C Block 30C Fighting Falcon
To Israel under Peace Marble II as 381,384,
386,388,389,391,393,394,392,397,399,383,385,
and 376.
87-1694 General Dynamics F-16D Block 30A Fighting Falcon
for Israel under Peace Marble II as 020
87-1695/1698 General Dynamics F-16D Block 30D Fighting Falcon
for Israel under Peace Marble II
87-1699/1708 General Dynamics F-16D Block 30E Fighting Falcon
for Israel under Peace Marble II as 036,022,
041,045,039,046,050,057,061, and 055.
88-1709/1710 General Dynamics F-16C Block 30C Fighting Falcon
for Israel under Peace Marble II as 359 and 313
88-1711 General Dynamics F-16C Block 30D Fighting Falcon
for Israel under Peace Marble II as 329
88-1712/1720 General Dynamics F-16D Block 30F Fighting Falcon
for Israel under Peace Marble II as 065,069,
070,072,074,077/079,083
89-0277 General Dynamics F-16C Block 40H Fighting Falcon
to Israel under Peace Marble III as 502
90-0850/0854 General Dynamics F-16C Block 40H Fighting Falcon
sold to Israel as 503,506,508,511,512 under
Peace Marble III
90-0855/0862 General Dynamics F-16C Block 40H Fighting Falcon
sold to Israel as 514,516,519,520,522,523
525,527 under Peace Marble III
90-0863/0870 General Dynamics F-16C Block 40K Fighting Falcon
sold to Israel as 528,530,531,534,535,536
538,539 under Peace Marble III
90-0871/0874 General Dynamics F-16C Block 40L Fighting Falcon
sold to Israel as 542,543,546,547 under
Peace Marble III
90-0875/0878 General Dynamics F-16D Block 40H Fighting Falcon
sold to Israel as 601,603,606,610 under
Peace Marble III
90-0879/0886 General Dynamics F-16D Block 40J Fighting Falcon
sold to Israel as 612,615,619,621,624,628,
630,633 under Peace Marble III
90-0887/0894 General Dynamics F-16D Block 40K Fighting Falcon
sold to Israel as 637,638,642,647,648,651,
652,656 under Peace Marble III.
90-0895/0898 General Dynamics F-16D Block 40L Fighting Falcon
sold to Israel as 660,664,666,667 under
Peace Marble III.
91-486/489 General Dynamics F-16C Block 40L Fighting Falcon
to Israel as 551,554,557,558, Peace Marble III
91-490/495 General Dynamics F-16D Block 40L Fighting Falcon
to Israel as 673,676,678,682,684,687, Peace
Marble III
I don't have a complete correlation table
between USAF and IDF/AF serial numbers. Can anyone help?
The following is a table of IDF/AF F-16
losses of which I am aware. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additions or
corrections.
- Two F-16Cs 369 and 290 collided Jan 17,
1995 and crashed.
- F-16Ds 606 and 660 collided July 18, 1995.
Sources:
- Combat Aircraft F-16, Doug Richardson,
Crescent, 1992.
- General Dynamics Aircraft and their
Predecessors, John Wegg, Naval Institute Press, 1990.
- The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and
Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.
- United States Military Aircraft Since
1909, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.
- F-16 Fighting Falcon--A Major Review of
the West's Universal Warplane, Robert F. Dorr, World Airpower Journal, Spring 1991.
- The World's Great Interceptor Aircraft,
Gallery, 1989.
- Modern Military Aircraft--F-16 Viper, Lou
Drendel, Squadron/Signal Publications, 1992.
- Lockheed F-16 Variants, Part 1, World
Airpower Journal, Volume 21, Summer 1995.
- Airscene Headlines, Air International,
April 1994, p 170.
- Israeli Air Power into the 1990s, Tim
Ripley, Air International, September 1993, page 128.
