Morocco and Taiwan to Receive Advanced F-16 Viper Pilot Gear in 2025

Morocco and Taiwan will be the first beneficiaries of the new survival equipment for F-16 Viper pilots. After obtaining the homologation of its new AFE (Aircrew Flight Equipment) last August, Survitec announced that it will start the mass production of this equipment, intended primarily for these two countries, before extending it to others who place orders, reports Airforce Technology. The first deliveries of the AFE are scheduled for January 2025, before the first planned flight of the F-16 Viper Block 70/72 manufactured by Lockheed Martin in Greenville, South Carolina, it is specified. These deliveries will be made from Survitec’s plant in Ohio.

The new AFE includes a flight jacket with an integrated life vest and a lightweight suit. It is designed to integrate with the Martin Baker US18E ejection seat and the pilot’s survival systems. It not only improves safety, but it can also provide comfort to pilots during extended missions. The AFE system is based on advanced design principles, initially developed for the fifth-generation F-35 program. This evolution represents a significant improvement over previous AFE standards, aligning technologies and performance with those of the F-35 Lightning II. "Our goal remains to improve pilot protection, comfort and performance, by aligning the F-16 Viper configuration with the advanced standards established by the F-35 program," said Nick Mulhall, Commercial Director - Aerospace and Defense at Survitec.

The new AFE plays a crucial role in improving safety, comfort and operational efficiency, and surpasses the capabilities of existing systems. "We are proud to expand our reach and continue to protect the lives of pilots around the world," Mulhall added.