F-16A Falcon #900945 / 54 NSAWC, NAS Fallon, 2008
DG4 version A Block 15AM OCU s/n 900945

Pakistan has ordered a total of 111 F-16A/B aircraft. Of these, 71 were embargoed by the US due to Pakistan's nuclear weapons program. Of these 71, 28 were actually built but were flown directly to the AMARC (Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage. Over the years, various plans were conceived for these 28 Aircraft. In 2002, the US finally stopped trying to sell the aircraft and decided to assign them to the USAF and US Navy to fill the Aggressor role. After the demise of the (T)F-16N aggressor force, the US Navy lacked a high-performance aggressor aircraft. Because of the low airframe life of the embargoed Pakistani F-16s, these F-16A/B bolck 15OCU airframes were ideally suited for the demanding aggressor role. The 28 aircraft were thus evenly split between the USAF and the US Navy, and will take a vital role in DACT training of US forces.

214 aircraft from Block 15Y onwards received upgraded systems starting late-1987. Designated Block 15OCU (Operational Capability Upgrade), these aircraft are powered by the more reliable F100-PW-220 turbofan. These aircraft also have structural strengthening and are provided with the enlarged HUD that was first introduced on the F-16C/D. Also incorporated are the capability to fire the Norwegian Penguin Mk.3 anti-shipping missile (built by Kongsberg, US designation AGM-119) and the AGM-65, provisions for the AIM-120 AMRAAM, radar altimeter, expanded computer capacity, data transfer unit, wide-angle HUD, AN/APX-101 IFF, Tracor AN/ALE-40 chaff/flare dispenser and provisions for the AN/ALQ-131 ECM pod. These modifications increased the max. TO weight to 37,500lbs (17,010kg). The first Block 15OCU was delivered in January 1988, and from 1988 onwards, all Block 15's were built to OCU specifications.

c/n DG4 version A Block 15AM OCU s/n delivered April 1992 as PAF 92732, it was stored in the Nevada desert till December 2002 when it found its way to NSAWC and finally ended up at NAS Fallon. The camouflage scheme was changed to the three-tone one. Photographic evidence suggests that the inscription 'NAVY' was painted on the fuselage as well as 'MARINES' later on. The camouflage colours faded with time and the whole appearance of the aircraft became interesting with the accumulation of fresh paint patches.