Oman seeks to upgrade its fleet of F-16s

The potential sales, valued at around $62 million dollars, would modernise 23 of the sultanate’s fighters and has been proposed to the US Congress.
The package includes incremental operational flight profile (OFP) software upgrades for F-16 subsystems, upgraded identification friend or foe (IFF) and secure communications equipment for Mode 5 operations, which will help Omani pilots to improve operations with U.S. forces.
A State Department statement said: “This proposed sale of items and services will enable Oman’s 23 F-16s currently using Mode 4 IFF to become interoperable on Mode 4/5. Mode 5 IFF allows U.S. and partner airborne and surface armed forces to conduct complimentary air operations. Incremental OFP software upgrades required to support Mode 5 will provide additional incremental improvement for other associated F-16 subsystems.”
According to the DSCA the order will include 29 KIV-78 cryptographic/timing modules; 29 KY-100M cryptographic radio encryptors; 29 AN/APX-126 Combined Interrogator Transponders along with classified and unclassified computer program identification numbers (CPINS) upgrades; OFP upgrades for IFF Mode 5 capable systems, joint mission planning (JMPS) upgrade; sniper advanced targeting pod software, service support, support equipment, spares, and training; systems support and test equipment; spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering; logistics and technical support services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
The F-16C/D Block 50, which were first purchased in 2010, forms the core of the Royal Omani Air Force. The nation has also ordered 12 Typhoons, the first of which was delivered in June 2017.