in the course of development, 2 key issues came up with respect to the f-16 block 60. one was the familiar issue of source code control for key avionics and electronic warfare systems. The other was weapons carriage.
as a rule, the software source codes that program the electronic-warfare, radar, and data buses on us fighters are too sensitive for export. Instead, the usa sent the uae “object codes” (similar to apis), which allow them to add to the f-16′s threat library on their own.
the other issue concerned the black shahine derivative of mbda’s storm shadow stealth cruise missile. the missile technology control regime (mtcr) defines 300 km as the current limit for cruise missiles, and the terms of the sale allow the united states to regulate which weapons the f-16s can carry. Since the black shahine was deemed to have a range of over 300km, the us state department refused to let lockheed martin change the data bus to permit the f-16e/fs to carry the missile. It is believed that the mirage 2000v9 upgrades the uae has purchased from france will address this issue, giving the uae a platform capable of handling their new acquisition.
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