For the first time ever Greece hosted a NATO Tiger Meet (NTM). Between May 9 and May 20 the “2022 NATO Tiger Meet” was held at Araxos AB home of the 335 Squadron “Aegean Tigers”. This squadron is the oldest of the Hellenic Air Force established in 9141. The aircraft chosen to represent the 335 for “NTM 2022” was F-16C 1045 that is a hybrid aircraft comprised of Block 50 equipment but has Block 52+Adv electronics and equipment with a General Electric F110-GE-100 engine. This aircraft is the only 4 digit tail number in the HAF.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon was produced by General Dynamics who became Lockheed who then merged with Martin Marietta to become Lockheed Martin. The F-16 entered service in January 1979 as a multi-role jet fighter that evolved into an all-weather multi-role aircraft capable of sustaining 9-g turns. The F-16 is relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain so the U.S. and 25 other countries added it to their inventory. The Fighting Falcon is referred to by its pilots as the “Viper” and will remain in USAF service until 2025.

General specifications F-16 Fighting Falcon

• Primary Function – Multi-role fighter
• Manufacturer – General Dynamics Corp. / Lockheed Martin Corp.
• Initial Unit cost - F-16C/D, $20 million plus
• First Deployed - January 1979 (F-16A)
• Crew – 1 x F-16C / 1 or 2 x F-16D

Dimensions

• Length - 49 ft, 5 in (14.8 m)
• Height - 16 ft (4.8 m)
• Wingspan - 32 ft, 8 in (9.8 m)

Performance

• Power Plant - F-16C/D 1 x Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229

or

• 1 x General Electric F110-GE-100/129
• Thrust - F-16C/D / 27,000 lb (12,150 kg)
• Speed - 1,500 mph (Mach 2 @ altitude)
• Ceiling - Above 50,000 ft (15 km)
• Maximum Takeoff Weight - 37,500 lb (16,875 kg)
• Range - Greater than 2,425 mi (2,100 nm / 3,900 km)
• Combat Radius F-16C 851.6 mi (1,370 km / 740 nm) w/ 2 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 U.S. gal external tanks 391.3 mi (630 km / 340 nm) w/ 4 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 340 U.S. gal external tanks 230.2 mi (370 km / 200 nm) + 2 hr. 10 min. patrol w/ 2 x AIM-7 + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 lb U.S. gal external tanks

Armament

• 1 x M-61A1 20mm multi-barrel cannon with 500 rounds
• External stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles Conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions Electronic countermeasure pods.

Info: Lockheed F-16D Falcon - 310th FS, Luke AF Base, June 2022