Lockheed Martin announced development of a new version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon at the Singapore Airshow on 15 February 2012. Dubbed F-16V, the variant will feature enhancements including an active electronically scanned array, or AESA, radar, an upgraded mission computer and avionics architecture, and improvements to the cockpit. The F-16V configuration is an option for new production jets and elements of the upgrade are available for retrofit on most earlier-model F-16s. The upgrade effort does not change the aircraft's external configuration. The “V” designation is derived from Viper, the nickname fighter pilots have called the F-16 from the beginning of its career. Twenty-six nations operate the F-16 worldwide.
