F-16D Barak

Also known as

F-16D Barak II
F-16D Barak 2
F-16D Block 30 Barak
F-16D Block 40 Barak
IF-16D
Israeli F-16D
Barak
Lightning

The F-16D Barak is Israel's two-seat F-16C/D branch, adapted with Israeli avionics, electronic-warfare equipment, a weapon-system-operator back seat, and the distinctive dorsal-spine configuration on many aircraft. Direct open-source conflict evidence is strongest for a 2006 Lebanon War Hezbollah UAV interception by F-16D 074, while later reporting places the wider Israeli F-16 Barak C/D fleet in 2025 long-range strikes against Iran.

F-16D Barak, Two-seat multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: Lockheed Martin F-16D Barak Commons Image

Role in Conflicts

Side: Israel

Israeli F-16D Barak aircraft 074 from 109 Squadron is documented with a kill marking for a Hezbollah UAV during the Second Lebanon War; F-16.net and Hobby Master tie the event to Python-5 missile use in August 2006.

Side: Israel

Jerusalem Post reporting says Israel's older F-16 Barak aircraft, including C and D models, took part in June 2025 Operation Rising Lion strikes against Iran after range-extension work at Ramat David Air Base.

Role details

Public Evidence Limits

The strongest model-specific combat trail is F-16D 074 in the 2006 Lebanon War, where multiple aviation references tie the aircraft to a Hezbollah UAV kill. The 2025 Iran row is broader: the source names older Israeli F-16 Barak aircraft and says the relevant force included F-16 C and D models, but it does not isolate individual D-model sorties.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States / Israel
Built by: General DynamicsLockheed Martin
Built in: United States
Type: Two-seat multirole fighter aircraft
Service note: Israeli F-16D service from 1987; Barak C/D fleet remained in combat reporting through 2025
Designer: General Dynamics
Designed: F-16D base design from the F-16C/D production branch; Israeli Barak deliveries began in 1987
Produced: Israeli F-16D Block 30 deliveries in 1987-1988 and Block 40 deliveries in 1991-1993
Developed from: F-16 Fighting Falcon

Specifications

Crew: Two-seat cockpit; Israeli Barak D aircraft use the rear seat for a weapon-system operator
Powerplant: F-16.net identifies Israeli F-16C/D Barak aircraft with the General Electric F110-GE-100 engine and enlarged intake
Maximum speed: About Mach 2 class; U.S. Air Force F-16 material lists about 1,500 mph at altitude
Service ceiling: Above 50,000 feet
External stores: M61A1 20 mm cannon plus external stations for air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, standoff weapons, tanks, pods, and electronic countermeasure equipment
Israeli modifications: Dorsal-spine F-16D configuration, Israeli electronic systems, local avionics and electronic-warfare equipment, and higher-gross-weight modifications described for Israeli F-16C/D aircraft
Documented combat load context: F-16D Barak 074 is tied to Python-5 missile use against a Hezbollah UAV in 2006; a 2026 official-photo analysis identified an F-16D Barak carrying a Delilah air-launched cruise missile

Israeli Barak Configuration

The F-16D Barak is not just a training-seat version of the F-16C. F-16.net describes the Israeli D model as a missionized two-seat aircraft with a weapon-system-operator position and Israeli-specific electronics, while many examples carry the enlarged dorsal spine associated with additional systems.

Back seat

Used for a weapon-system operator rather than only pilot conversion.

Israeli systems

Sources identify Israeli avionics, electronic-warfare, mission-computer, and self-protection modifications across the Barak fleet.

Dorsal spine

F-16.net links the F-16D spine to additional electronic equipment, with the Israeli Air Force publicly confirming only that the space houses electronic systems.

Variants

Barak is the Israeli name for the F-16C/D fleet; F-16D denotes the two-seat Barak aircraft, while F-16I Sufa is a later and more heavily modified Israeli F-16D Block 52 derivative.

Variant	Configuration	Designation notes
F-16 Fighting Falcon	Parent F-16 family	The broader family page covers the U.S.-designed F-16 line across A/B/C/D, MLU, F-16I, F-16V, and Block 70/72 configurations. Sources: F-16 Fighting Falcon Fact Sheet
F-16D Block 30 Barak	Peace Marble II two-seat Israeli Barak	F-16.net lists 24 Israeli F-16D Block 30 aircraft delivered under Peace Marble II, locally known as Barak or Lightning. Sources: F-16.net Israel F-16 User History
F-16D Block 40 Barak II	Peace Marble III two-seat Israeli Barak II	F-16.net lists 30 Israeli F-16D Block 40 aircraft delivered under Peace Marble III and says this Barak II batch began arriving in August 1991. Sources: F-16.net Israel F-16 User History
F-16C Barak	Single-seat Barak counterpart	Janes identifies Barak 1 as Israel's F-16C Block 30 fleet and notes continued Barak 2 service for the later F-16C Block 40 branch. Sources: Janes Barak 1 Retirement
F-16I Sufa	Later Israeli two-seat strike derivative	F-16.net distinguishes the F-16I Sufa from the earlier Barak C/D fleet, noting its Block 52 acquisition path and extensive external and electronic changes. Sources: F-16.net Israel F-16 User History

Timeline

F-16D Barak Key Events

Dec 21, 1987
First Israeli F-16D received
F-16.net records the Israeli Air Force receiving its first F-16D under Peace Marble II on December 21, 1987.
Sources: F-16.net Israel F-16 User History
Aug 1, 1991
Barak II deliveries begin
The Peace Marble III F-16C/D Block 40 batch, nicknamed Barak II, began arriving in Israel in August 1991.
Sources: F-16.net Israel F-16 User History
Aug 1, 2006
F-16D 074 credited with UAV interception
F-16.net mission-marking data ties F-16D 074 to a Hezbollah UAV kill during the Second Lebanon War, and Hobby Master records the aircraft among the F-16s that used Python-5 missiles against Hezbollah UAVs.
Sources: F-16.net IDFAF Mission Marks, Hobby Master F-16D Barak 074
Mar 28, 2018
Croatia selected used Israeli F-16D Baraks
Defense News reported that Croatia chose 12 used Israeli F-16D Barak fighters in 2018, before the transfer plan later collapsed over export-approval issues.
Sources: Defense News Croatia F-16D Barak Selection
Jun 1, 2025
Barak C/D fleet reported in Iran strikes
Jerusalem Post reporting says older Israeli F-16 Barak aircraft, including C and D models, participated in June 2025 Operation Rising Lion strikes against Iran.
Sources: Jerusalem Post Barak Upgrade Report