Conformal fuel tanks are nothing new on the Lockheed Martin F-16. They were first seen on the now-defunct F-16ES (Enhanced Strategic) long-range strike/attack variant developed for Israel and initially flown in November 1994. The F-16ES lost out to the F-15I, but the conformal tanks offered a low-drag, lower radar cross-section method of carrying external fuel, and avoided having to use underwing weapons pylons for fuel. The tanks first re-appeared on artists' impressions of the F-16C Block 60 models for the UAE, Israel's proposed F-16I two-seaters, and most recently on illustrations of the aircraft now ordered by Greece.
But in the last year the conformal tanks themselves have changed, having been revised and refined for ease of manufacture and easier retrofit to existing F-16s. The new conformal tank is shown in the accompanying photo and is on the F-16 parked outside the Lockheed Partnership Pavilion. The new tank design will be fitted to the UAE, Israeli and Greek aircraft , and will be available for retrofit to any F-16C/D.
Source: Flight Daily News