South Korea has started evaluating several equipment options for upgrading its fleet of 180 Lockheed Martin F-16s and could opt for a common configuration improvement programme (CCIP).
Seoul began considering F-16 upgrades earlier this year in an attempt to improve interoperability with its new fleet of Boeing F-15Ks and other aircraft operated by its allies (Flight International, 31 May–6 June). Industry sources say several types of precision weapons are being evaluated and South Korea is trying to assess which electronic systems should be replaced.
At the very least South Korea will acquire the Link 16 datalink and new radios, but it is also looking at a broader upgrade that would include new central computers and displays, sensors and radar.
Source: Flight International