Lockheed Martin brings F-16 Blk 70/72 Viper flight simulator to Philippines

Lockheed Martin brought in their F-16 Block 70/72 Viper flight simulator to Manila to allow PAF pilots to familiarize with the aircraft's capabilities. Photo c/o MaxDefense Philippines.

In a bid to improve its chances on winning Manila’s Multi-Role Fighter competition for the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Lockheed Martin brought in their F-16 Block 70/72 Viper flight simulator to allow PAF pilots to familiarize themselves with the aircraft’s promised capabilities.

Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines posted exclusive photos showing PAF pilots trying out the simulator, while being briefed by Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper test pilot USAF Maj. Monessa Cantuncan-Balzhiser.

The F-16C/D Block 70/72 Viper is currently in close competition with Saab’s JAS-39C/D Gripen for the PAF’s project, as the country improves its air defense capability by re-introducing multi-role fighters in its arsenal. The PAF lost its capabilities with the retirement of the last of its Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighters first introduced in 1966, and only re-started the build-up of its fighter capabilities with the introduction of the KAI FA-50PH light combat aircraft / lead-in fighter trainer in 2015.

It is expected that a decision on the MRF competition will be made by 2019.

Lockheed Martin is recently pushing their products hard into the Philippine market, with the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk selected by the PAF and Department of National Defense for their Combat Utility Helicopter project, while also marketing the F-16 Block 70/72 Viper and the TPS-77 long range air defense radar.



[1] MaxDefense Philippines
[2] IHS Jane’s
[3] Shephard Media
[4] MaxDefense Philippines