Morocco's First F-16 Block 72 Jet Completes Maiden Flight in South Carolina

The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has reached a significant milestone with the successful maiden flight of its first F-16 Block 72 jet. The two-seat F-16D model took to the skies today from Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina, marking an important step forward for Morocco’s modernization efforts.

Lockheed Martin announced that the aircraft will now undergo rigorous testing before being delivered to Morocco. This flight test phase is crucial as it ensures the jet meets all performance and safety standards set by both the manufacturer and the Moroccan military.

Interestingly, one of the photos released by Lockheed Martin shows the pilot wearing a Digital Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (D-JHMCS), an advanced helmet that provides pilots with critical situational awareness. While this system is not confirmed to be part of Morocco's order, its presence underscores the cutting-edge capabilities being integrated into the F-16 Block 72.

Morocco was the first customer to select the Block 72 configuration when it approved the purchase in March 2019. The U.S. government’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency greenlit a package that includes 25 F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft, valued at $3.787 billion. These planes are equipped with advanced technology such as the AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), modernized navigation systems, and helmet-mounted cueing systems.

The distinction between the Block 70 and Block 72 configurations lies in their engines. While the Block 70 uses General Electric’s F110-GE-129 engine, the Block 72 utilizes Pratt & Whitney’s F100-PW-229, providing slightly more power. Both versions share the same major avionics and systems modernization package.

The F-16 program has a rich history of engine competition between General Electric and Pratt & Whitney. Initially powered by Pratt & Whitney's F100 engines, reliability issues led to the development of GE’s F110 as an alternative. This rivalry, known as the "Great Engine War," resulted in two competing F-16 engine families that have been crucial for international customers like Morocco.

The successful maiden flight of this advanced variant of the F-16 is a testament to ongoing U.S.-Moroccan military cooperation and technological advancement. It also highlights the continued relevance of the F-16 program, which has seen numerous upgrades over its decades-long service life.