Polish F-16 Tiger Demo Team - Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2025 (Sunday)

Описание: A Polish Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16C (Block 52+) Fighting Falcon of the 'Tiger Demo Team' from 31. BLT (Baza Lotnictwa Taktycznego) or Tactical Air Base, based at Poznań-Krzesiny, displaying on Sunday of the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 at RAF Fairford, UK.

The pilot, Major Maciej "Slab" Krakowian, was awarded the Royal International Air Tattoo's 'As the crow flies' trophy for this and his other display's during the show.

Very sadly and tragically Major Krakowian died on 28 August 2025, whilst practicing a display in this aircraft at Radom, Poland.
Major Krakowian was pilot-instructor of the 6th Air Squadron; display pilot, leader of the F16 Tiger Demo Team; head of the flight training section of the Air Action Group at the 31st Tactical Air Base. At the time of his death, he was reputedly one of the best Polish pilots. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The cause of the accident is still being investigated (24/10/25).

If you wish to read more about Maciej Krakowian, here is a link to the Polish Wikipedia entry about him:- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maciej_...

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is currently the most numerous combat aircraft in NATO. Originally developed for the USAF as a day fighter, the F-16 has evolved into a highly capable multi-role combat aircraft that despite flying for the first time in 1974 is still in production. Over 4,500 F-16s have been produced over the past 50 years and 3,000 of them are still in service with 25 nations around the world. The most recent version is called the Block 70/72 and includes a new cockpit, computers, and an advanced AESA radar based on the one installed in the F-35.

Poland ordered 48 Block 52 F-16C/D’s during April 2003 and received their first flight in the US less than three years later in March 2006. The type replaced the MiG-21 and some Su-22s in Polish service and was the first Western combat aircraft to join their air force as part of their NATO commitments. The Polish operate three squadrons of F-16s, two are based at Poznan including 6ELT who are members of the NATO Tiger Association. A third squadron is based at Lask.

The Block 50/52 is the current production version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 52 +, called by pilots VIPER, is a fourth generation multirole fighter.
The Block 50/52 Plus is a version which has special provisions for the adverse weather delivery of the Boeing JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition). The update includes an add-on tail unit containing a synthetic aperture radar, providing guidance to 1,000lbs Mk.83, 2,000lbs Mk.84 and the 2,000lbs BLU-109 warhead. Other features include passive missile warning, terrain-referenced navigation, and provisions for the 600 US gal (2,271 litre) external fuel tanks and conformal fuel tanks (As on the example shown here).

Other features of the aircraft include an on-board oxygen generating system (OBOGS), the AN/APX-113 advanced electronic interrogator/transponder IFF system, helmet-mounted cueing system (HMCS), ASPIS internal electronic countermeasures suite (full provisions), the Northrop Grumman APG-68(V)9 radar, which is the latest version of the F-16C/D radar. This radar features significant improvements in detection range, resolution, growth potential, and supportability. Furthermore, application of advanced processing techniques enhances the radar's ability to operate in dense electromagnetic environments and resist jamming better than all previous models.


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