The Israeli air force has completed work to upgrade its first Lockheed Martin F-16C/D to the "Barak 2020" configuration. The programme involves equipping the strike aircraft with a new head-up display, digital debriefing system and other undisclosed capability enhancements.
Modifications are being performed at the squadron level, under the supervision of the air force's main technical unit number 22 - its central maintenance depot.
Further work will be conducted to upgrade simulators for the F-16C/D to incorporate the new systems.
Israel's air force plans to phase out its F-16A/Bs in the coming years and has no current plans to upgrade their systems. However, any delay to the delivery of the service's first Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters could affect the pace of their retirement.
Source: Flight International
