Older models of the US F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter will now have a new weapon in their arsenal. The F-16C/D Block 30, used by reserve and Air National Guard (ANG) units, can use the stealth missile AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile). 

A team formed by members of the ANG and the Air Force Reserve Test Center (AATC) tested the JASSM missile in an F-16 of the so-called “pre-block”, that is, of the Block 15, 20 and 30 versions.

The missile had only been originally integrated into the F-16 Block 50/52 and 52+, more modern and capable than the older planes. However, the US still maintains a good number of pre-bloc F-16s in use: seven ANG units and two reserve units continue to operate the “old” F-16s. 

Lieutenant Colonel Dustin Brown, Director of the F-16 Combined Test Force, said that the test carried out on 08/06 was significant. It allows an older F-16 “keep up with and sometimes exceed the capabilities of newer F-16s.”

“By validating the use of JASSM with the pre-bloc F-16, we are ensuring that 4th generation aircraft can participate in major combat operations and complement the missions of 5th generation aircraft”, says the official, saying that tests like this are important to keep the F-16 relevant in future conflicts.

The aim of integrating an advanced weapon into older planes is to give more firepower to ANG reservists and military. Despite having an auxiliary nature, reserve and Air National Guard units often end up being sent to the front lines of combat. 

Developed by Lockheed Martin for the US Armed Forces, the AGM-158 JASSM is a cruise missile with low-observability (stealth) characteristics, in service with the USAF since 2009.

The armament has a range of 370km and has a warhead of 450kg of explosives, reinforced for penetrating targets such as reinforced hangars and bunkers.

Its newest variant, called the JASSM-ER, entered service in 2014, has a range of 925km and is also the basis for the AGM-158C LRASM, a new long-range anti-ship missile for the US Navy, currently under development. .