HELLENIC VIPERS

The Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting Falcon is without any doubt the most successful and capable American fighter in modern aviation history. Well known for its unique and proven capabilities in many battle fields around the Globe.

The Hellenic Air Force is one of the many operating Air Arms of the successful F-16. The first of these fighters were introduced into service in 1989. Throughout the years there were another three orders of supplementary aircraft, increasing the total number to 170, every time acquiring a newer and more advanced version of the F-16.

Nowadays the total number of F-16s on strength with the HAF is 155 aircraft, two-thirds of the total HAF’s fighter fleet. The HAF’s F-16s are split into seven separate Squadrons in four different bases. In the following paragraphs, we take a closer look at the variants and their differences of Greece’s most important fighter aircraft.

 

Block 30

All started in November 1984 when the Greek Government expressed its interest to acquire 34 F-16C and six F-16D Fighting Falcons in order to replace the ageing F-5 Freedom Fighters. The agreement was signed in January 1987 under the name Peace Xenia I. The first aircraft arrived in Greece in January 1989 and deliveries continued until January 1990. The Peace Xenia I F-16s were all Block 30 aircraft, powered by the General Electric F110-GE-100 turbofan. The two Squadrons which received these new fighters were the 330 Squadron “Thunder” and the 346 “Iason”.

 

 

 

 

The 330 Sq (Keraunos – Thunder) was established on the 9th of January 1989 and in the beginning it was utilising the facilities of the 341 Sq. In the early 90s, a second F-16 Squadron was formed. The 346 Squadron (Iason – Jason) received the remaining Block 30s. It was relocated to Larissa (110 CW) in 1997 and finally it was disbanded in 2011. All the remaining Block 30s returned to the 330 Squadron, which became the only Squadron in the inventory of the HAF which was operating this older Block.

Block 50

A follow up order was agreed in April 1993 for another 40 F-16C/Ds under the name Peace Xenia II. These 32 C and 8 D models were all Block 50 aircraft powered also by the General Electric F110-GE-129 engine. The first two new F-16s (a C and a D model) rolled out of the Lockheed Martin’s factory on the same day, 28 January 1997. The first four aircraft (two single-seaters 047 & 048 and two two-seaters 078 & 079) arrived in Greece on the 28th of July 1997. The two Squadrons which received these modern fighters were the 347 Squadron “Perseus” and the 341 Squadron “Arrow”.

The first Squadron destined to receive these new aircraft was the 347Sq (Perseas – Perseus), which was re-established on the 7th of July 1997. The Squadron was initially established in 1977 under the command of the 115CW in Souda in order to receive the newly acquired A-7H / TA-7H Corsairs II. It remained there for four months when it was relocated permanently to Larissa (110CW). The Squadron had 19 Corsairs and it kept them operational until 1992, when it ceased its operation. The remaining aircraft were sent back to 115CW.

The second Squadron to receive the remaining 20 Block 50s of the Peace Xenia II program was the 341 Squadron (Velos – Arrow) which was reformed in 1998. The 341 Squadron can trace its history back in 1954 when it was established in Elefsina Base, as part of the 112 CW and it was equipped with the F-86E aircraft. After a number of detachments to 111 CW (Nea Anchialos Base) and 114 CW (Tanagra Base), in 1960 it was finally relocated to Nea Anchialos (111 CW). In 1965, the Squadron’s fleet type was replaced by the agile F-5 A/B. In 1993, the Squadron was disbanded giving its remaining aircraft to the 343 Squadron.

Nowadays, the total number of the remaining Block 30s is 32, out of which 28 are single seats and the remaining 4 are two-seats. All of them belong to the strength of the 330 Squadron. The remaining 38 Block 50s from Peace Xenia II (31 F-16C and 7 F-16D) are split equally into the two existing Squadrons, 341 and 347 Sq. These three Squadrons constitute the strength of the 111 Combat Wing in Nea Anchialos, near Volos making it the biggest nest of the Hellenic Vipers!

Block 52+

In June 2000 another 50 F-16 Block 52+ fighters were ordered with an option for 10 more (which was exercised in September 2001) under the Peace Xenia III program. The Hellenic Air Force took delivery of its first F-16C Block 52+ aircraft on the 2nd of May 2003. The Hellenic Air Force was the first Air Arm in the world to operate this Block of the F-16. On the 8th of June 2004, the last 2 F-16 Block 52+s’ were delivered to the Hellenic Air Force.

The Block 52+s’ are the most numerous F-16s in the inventory of the Hellenic Air Force. Most of them equip the 115 CW at the base of Souda AB on the island of Crete, where the two Squadrons, 340 Sq “Fox” and 343 Sq “Star”, utilize 20 aircraft each. The rest of the delivered Block 52+s’ are based in 110CW in Larissa AB equipping the 337 Squadron “Phantom”.

The 340 Squadron was established on the 18th of April 1953, as part of the 112CW based in Elefsina. It was equipped at that time with the Republic F-84G aircraft. In May 1958 the unit’s aircraft were replaced by the F-84F Thunderstreaks. On the 4th of February 1960, the unit was transferred to the 115 CW in Souda from where it still operates until today. In August 1975, the unit started to accept the new and more modern aircraft, Ling-Temco-Vought A-7H Corsair II which flew from there for 26 years. On the 30th of September 2001, the Squadron was deactivated in order to receive the new F-16s. All the remaining Corsairs were handed over to the 345 Sq. 50 years after its establishment, on March the 3rd 2003, the Squadron was reformed for the introduction of the new aircraft F-16C/D Block 52+.

The 343 Squadron was established in September of 1955 also at Elefsina Base and it was initially equipped with the North American F-86E Sabre in the day interception role. In March 1966, the Squadron transitioned to the Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter. These aircraft continued to serve the 343 Sq for a period of 35 years until March 2001 when operations were temporarily suspended. On the 21st of July 2003 the 343 Sq re-entered operational status in Souda with F-16 C/D Block 52+ aircraft.

The remaining Block 52+s were delivered to the 337 Squadron from the 110 Combat Wing based in Larissa, after withdrawing its F-4E Phantom IIs.

The 337 Squadron Fantasma (Ghost) is the third oldest Squadron of the HAF. It assumed operational duties on March the 30th, 1948 and it was initially equipped with Spitfire Mk. IX. In 1952 a significant change in the history of the 337 Squadron took place, when it successfully passed into the jet era. Through the years, the 337 Sq utilized famous aircraft like F-84G Thunderjets, F-86D Sabres and F-5A Freedom Fighters.

On March the 31st, 1978, after the agreement of the “Peace Icarus II” Program for the purchase of extra Greek Phantoms, the 337 Sq was selected to become the third “Phamous” Phantom Squadron.

After almost three decades of operation of the “Phabulous” Phantom, the history of the 337 Squadron was rewritten again, this time with F-16 Block 52+ aircraft. The Squadron’s reestablishment ceremony took place at 110 Combat Wing in Larissa, on the 20th of October 2006.

Block 52M

The final Greek F-16 acquisition program, Peace Xenia IV, was signed in April 2002. Another 30 F-16s were ordered with an option of 10 more. These new aircraft, all F-16 Block 52+ Advanced, were later named by the HAF as Block 52M. On March the 15th, 2006, the Greek government announced that it had cancelled the option of the 10 additional F-16s.

These aircraft replaced the fleet of the remaining A-7 Corsair IIs, which retired from service in October 2014 and were the last aircraft that HAF ever purchased.

​This last batch of the most advanced F-16s in Europe were gathered in Araxos Base, near Patra city equipping the 335 Sq “Tiger” alongside with the 336 Sq “Olympos” of 116 CW, the final operators of the A-7 Corsair II and the oldest and most famous Squadrons in Greece.

The 335 Squadron “Tiger” is the oldest Squadron of the Hellenic Air Force, as it was established when Greece was under German occupation, in October 1941 at the Palestinian airport of Akir. The Squadron was initially equipped with Hurricanes.

In October 1953 the 335 Sqn became the first Squadron that replaced the propeller aircraft with jets, the F-84G and the RT-33A types. In May 1965, it received the legendary F-104G Starfighter aircraft which kept them operational until May 1992. On April the 3rd, 1993, the Squadron received the A-7E and TA-7C Corsairs. They were kept operational until 2008 when operations were temporarily suspended in preparation for the acceptance of the modern F-16s.

The 336 Squadron “Olympos” was established on February the 25th 1943 in Cairo, Egypt and it was also equipped with Hurricane aircraft. The Squadron followed the exact steps of its “sister” Squadron and in 1953, it also received the F-84G and 5 years later it transitioned to the newer F-84F. In 1965, the Squadron also received the F-104G aircraft which was flying until March the 31st 1993. The Squadron received also the A-7 Corsair II and was the last one to withdraw them. Since March 2008, when the deactivation of its sister Squadron took place, the 336 Sq received all the remaining Corsairs, becoming the last Corsair Squadron in the world. The retiring ceremony took place on 17th of October 2014, marking the end of another great aircraft, the Corsair II.

Aegean Ghost Camouflage:

The colour scheme of the HAF’s F-16s is known as “Ghost” or “Aegean Ghost” scheme and is one of the most interesting in modern military aviation. This distinctive camouflage was initially tested on one Mirage F-1CG. It was adopted on some F-5As for a short period of time just before their retirement, but more extensively, it was used on all the F-4E Phantom IIs after their AUP upgrade. All the F-16s in Hellenic service wear also this scheme.

On the Block 30s is just paint, but on the rest of the Blocks, it’s a special coating, called “Have Glass”, with a radar-absorbing paint capable to reduce the aircraft’s Radar Cross Section (RCS).

The paint included in this “Have Glass” coating is called ‘Pacer Gem” equipped with RAM (Radar Absorbent Material) made of microscopic metal grains that can degrade the radar signature of the aircraft.  This material alters the appearance of the paint visually. It is very rough to the touch and contains shiny flakes, almost like metal flake paint.

This new technology, which is used on these later airframes, marks the evolution of the “Have Glass” program. The 50s wear the first generation while the rest 52+s and 52Ms wear the second and third generation respectively.

On the Block 52Ms this “Have Glass III” coating is much cleaner, but on the earlier Block 52+s and Block 50s , the respective  ‘Have Glass II” and “Have Glass I” coating has, after all these years, resulted in a distinctive grey and weathered camouflage.

 

Differences – Similarities:

All Greek Fighting Falcons, apart from their distinctive “Ghost” camouflage, have a tail fin root extension for the drag parachute. On this extension, there is also the probe of the ASPIS (Airborne Self-Protection Integrated Suite) for the rearward detection of incoming missiles. Most of the Greek Vipers along with all the other Greek frontline fighters have a distinctive emblem or horizontal flash at their tailfins.

Apart from the Block 30s, the rest of the Hellenic F-16s feature four antennas (also known as “bird-slicers”) for the AN/APX-113 IFF interrogator right in front of the canopy. The Block 30s are the only Greek F-16s which have an intercept light on the starboard side of the fuselage, just below and in front of the canopy. Also the two-seats Block 30s are the only ones that don’t have HUD repeaters at the back seat.

The first two Blocks which are ending with “0” are equipped with the General Electric engine and are fitted with larger engine air intakes called Modular Common Inlet Duct. The rest of the received models, ending with “2” are fitted with Pratt & Whitney engines. Apart from the intake, these different engines can also be distinguished from their exhaust nozzles. The P&W F100 engine has longer and straight exhaust nozzles made from carbon fibre, compared to the GE F110’s shorter and curved nozzles made from titanium.

The Block 50s (along with the Block 52+s’), have a strengthened landing gear, in order to sustain higher weights. It is designed for up to 52,000 pounds of maximum takeoff gross weight. Also the position of the landing lights at the Block 30s is different. These lights are located at the main gear struts, while at the newer Blocks, these lights are located at the nose gear.

The main external difference of the newer Block 52+s and Block 52Ms is the ability to carry CFTs (conformal fuel tanks). The CFTs are mounted on the top of the fuselage and are easily removable. They provide 440 US gallons or approximately 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) of additional fuel, allowing increased range or time on station and free up hardpoints for weapons instead of underwing fuel tanks. These external tanks can be attached on to the aircraft within 1 hour and they don’t obstruct any service panel making them easy in everyday’s use

Another characteristic feature of all the two-seat F-16D Block 52+s and Block 52Ms is the dorsal spine. All the electronics housed behind the cockpit on the single-seat version were moved to the top of the spine to make room for the second seat. It adds 30 cu ft (850 L) to the airframe for more avionics with only small increases in weight and drag. The rear cockpit can be occupied by either a Weapon System Operator (WSO) or an Instructor Pilot (IP) and can be configured for each with a single switch in the cockpit.

The main difference between Block 52M and Block 52+ is that it is equipped with the datalink Link 16. The Link-16 is a tactical datalink integrated into this latter model, providing an updated communications capability. This enhanced system allows aircraft to talk to each other and communicate with those on the ground. Basically, it provides increased situational awareness for the pilot. These newer Block 52s models compared to the previously acquired Block 50 have several other improvements over the Block 50, the major ones were:

–    The upgraded radar V(9)

–    Upgraded mission computer, navigation and targeting systems

–    Ability to carry more modern weapons

–    Upgraded cockpit with CMFD (Colour Multifunction Display), upgraded HUD

–    Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)

–    Upgraded data transfer and distribution systems

All the Hellenic F-16s are equipped with the AN/APG-68 radar. The older Block 30 and 50 have the V(3) and V(7) versions respectively, while the later Block 52+ and 52M have the V(9). All are almost identical externally. The AN/APG-68V(9) radar of the Block 52+ provides both improved air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. These include a 30 percent increase in detection range, larger search volume and improved tracking performance, new Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mode for the delivery of precision, all-weather, standoff weapons, plus improved Sea Surveillance and Ground Moving Target Indication modes. Overall, the V(9) offers about five times greater processing speed and ten times more memory compared to the previous AN/APG-68 versions.

The HAF’s F-16 Block 52Ms aircraft have also received Litton’s ASPIS II electronic warfare suite (Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suite) which has been internally mounted and includes the ALQ-187 I-DIAS jamming system and improved ALR-66VH (I) RWR. This system is going to be retrofitted to the F-16 Block 52+s of the HAF by Hellenic Aerospace Industry.

 

Epilogue:

From the 1970s lightweight fighter concept, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has become one of the heaviest single engine fighters through its evolution. This unique aerodynamic design became the backbone not only of the USAF but also of many other countries worldwide including the HAF. The introduction of the more sophisticated Block 52+s versions into the Hellenic Air Force arsenal alleviated it’s capabilities to operate without any limitation day or night regardless of any weather condition and attack targets farther with greater accuracy than ever before. This masterpiece of aerodynamics with its innovative characteristics has become one of the most successful fighters in the history of aviation, destined to serve many forces for years to come, including the HAF!

 

Article and Pictures by George Karavantos