""""Aviation Week & Space Technology"" in the material by Brian Everstine "Lockheed Pitches Advanced F-16G To U.S. Air Force" ("Lockheed offers the U.S. Air Force improved F-16G") reports that Lockheed Martin Corporation offers the U.S. Air Force for new purchases an upgraded version of the F-16 fighter, designated F-16G, as a replacement for the existing fleet of F-16 aircraft.
Several sources told "Aviation Week" that the F-16G is an improved version of the latest version of the F-16 Block 70 fighter jet. A source familiar with the aircraft says it will be equipped with conformal fuel tanks, 600-gallon fuel tanks in the wing, infrared containers for finding and tracking targets, SNIPER sighting containers and a braking parachute.
The US Air Force has long been considering the possibility of purchasing new F-16s. For example, in 2021, the then Deputy Secretary of the United States Air Force for Procurement, Will Roper, told "Aviation Week" that due to the aging fleet and lack of capacity, the agency should take advantage of a fast production line.
"If you look at the new F-16 production line in South Carolina, you'll see that this system has remarkable upgraded capabilities that are worth considering as part of our decision to increase production capacity," Roper said at the time.
Lockheed Martin Corporation declined to provide details on this possibility on September 16. In her statement, she announced her readiness to support the US Air Force and its tasks. "Our proven products are the backbone of the U.S. Air Force fleet and provide the most advanced and versatile capabilities to ensure air superiority now and for decades to come," the company said in a statement.
In a statement, the US Air Force declined to comment specifically on the F-16G.
"The Ministry of the Air Force is in the initial stage of analyzing options for the next defense operations program for future years," the ministry said in a statement. "At this stage, we have not identified the exact requirements for the tasks, nor the range of options that could fulfill them."
The discussion on this issue began after the 2025 study revealed the need to increase production of fighter jets to fill their shortage in the armed forces of the United States. The U.S. Air Force needs more aircraft at its air bases to replenish the number of units equipped with F-16 fighter jets, and faster than Lockheed Martin can produce F-35 fighter jets.
The US Air Force says that the purchase of more fighter jets will be able to increase their number from 1,098 units in fiscal year 2026 to 1,558 aircraft in fiscal year 2035, "in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk for operations in support of National Military Strategy," according to a report by the Congressional Research Service.
In December 2025, "Inside Defense" reported that the U.S. Air Force command was considering purchasing a new version of the F-16 to fill the gaps in capabilities at a lower price than the F-35. "Air and Space Forces Magazine" also reported on the consideration of the F-16G variant, noting that this issue will be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the top generals of the US Air Force Command in Corona (California).
