In article 7ilnh.34460$Ap5.8738@trnddc04, "Ski"
wrote:

I think that you will find that the UAE pays a different price for their =
F-16's then the USAF in many ways.
You assume that each "type" with its component systems is being designed =
to operate at its maximum capability.

Actually in my job I assume nothing of the kind.

The UAE F-16's have the advantage =
of AESA scanning and processing but they see targets essentially at the =
same ranges the USAF Block 50/52's to, subtle modes vary but the =
capability is fairly even despite the fact that it might have been made =
much better.

I understand the limitations of technology, export laws etc. I deal with it
every day. The Block 60 AESA is still much better than the APG-68.
More than that I can't comment.

Also, the internal IRST is no more and perhaps less =
capable then the SNIPER or LITNING II - so it all depends.

Costs depend upon how many you want, what you have to spend to get ready =
to build, and how many man hours required to produce what you want. =
The long poles are lead items and labor, after that it is all cranking.=20

Build rate is also supremely important. Building 2 a year will cost a lot more
than 2 a month, regardless of the final quantity.

--
Harry Andreas
Engineering raconteur