f16 F-16 Fighting Falcon: History, Performance & Discussion

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F-16 Fighting Falcon

General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin

 

 

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, also known as the Viper by its crew, has a well established history in the world of combat aviation with more than 4,400 being produced and sold to over 25 nations.

With the "Apex Predators" update in December 2022, the F-16 was finally introduced to War Thunder with the F-16A and F-16A ADF to the USA; F-16A MLU to China; F-16A Netz to Israel; and F-16A ADF to Italy.

 

 

YF-16 Prototype

SN# 72-1567 with AIM-9E wingtip Sidewinder missiles.

 

The YF-16 was born out of the Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program started by the Fighter Mafia in the late 1960s after believing that the F-15 Eagle was too heavy and expensive to be a true dogfighter. This LWF program also led to the YF-17 Cobra from Northrop which would become the Navy's F/A-18.

 

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An F-16 prototype firing an AIM-7 Sparrow, this functionality was later removed from production F-16A's.

 

GD's YF-16 and Northrop's YF-17 prototypes flying together during the LWF program.

 

 

F-16 Naval Fighter: Vought/GD Model 1600

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Vought/GD Model 1600

Following the success of the YF-16 prototype with the Air Force, General Dynamics and Vought collaborated with each other to submit a carrier-based variant of the YF-16 to the Navy during its Navy Air Combat Fight (NACF) program. Ultimately, the YF-17 Cobra (later FA-18 Hornet) would be victorious.

 

The Vought 1600 could have been equipped with Pratt & Whitney F401 (JTF22A-26C) engine (81.7kN dry, 130.6kN AB), which would have given it a serious edge over over the F100-PW-200 engine (65.2kN dry, 100.5kN AB) used on the early production USAF F-16s.

Other variants of the Vought proposal existed with various changes including the: Models 1600, 1601, 1602, and 1602B.

 

Concept art of the Model 1600 naval fighter in VF-41 livery.

 

 

F-16/79 Export Fighter

 

J79-GE-17X engine derivative

In an effort to comply with President Carter's order of only selling "reduced-capability" weapons to foreign nations, General Dynamics put together an F-16A/B variant explicitly for export using by the General Electric J79 engine found in older F-4 Phantoms. This offered about a 25% reduction in capability compared to the F100 P&W engines used at the time. Despite its reduced cost, there were no interested buyers.

 

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General Dynamics export brouchure highlighting features of the F-16/79 export fighter.

 

 

 

F-16XL

 

Used as a prototype for testing supersonic maneuverability incorporating forebody stakes and a new delta-wing design. It was entered into the Enhanced Tactical Fighter competition to replace the F-111 Aardvark as an interdictor fighter but was beaten by the F-15E Strike Eagle.

 

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F-16A and F-16XL seen from above.

 

NASA F-16XL #2 being used for laminar flow research.

 

 

 

F-16A/B

 

Officially designated as the "Fighting Falcon" by the Air Force but popularly referred to as the "Viper" in homage of the Battlestar Galactica Viper spacecraft that aired at the time.

Block 1 - First operational block that first flew in August 1978. Had a distinct dark black radome.

Block 5 - Removed black radome and replaced with a more conventional gray radome, not much else is different from Block 1.

Block 10 - More minor, internal only improvements from Block 5. 24 F-16A/B Block 10 aircraft were temporarily modified with the GPU-5/A 30mm gunpod for close air support use.

Block 15 "MSIP Stage I" - This Block 15 upgrade included 30% enlarged horizontal tail with clipped corners, structural strengthening which allowed the airframe to support an additional 1000 pounds on wing stations 3 and 7. Some models (mostly export variants) received a drag chute fairing that extended out to the tip of the engine nozzle.

 

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Comparison between block 10 (left) and block 15+ (right) horizontal stabilizers.

 

 

 

 

 

F-16A/B Block 15 ADF "Air Defense Fighter"

 

Variant designed for the Air National Guard to equip AIM-7 Sparrow beyond visual range missiles. Eventually exported to foreign nations including Italy.

The ADF variant can be identify by a large bulge underneath the vertical stabilizer that contains the HF radio, a spotlight on the left near the radome, and AIFF "bird-slicer" antenna infront of the cockpit.

 

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The distinct vertical stabilizer bulge that contains the AN/ARC-200 HF radio in ADF F-16As, not present in ADF F-16Bs.

 

 

 

 

Italian F-16A/B ADF

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Italian F-16A/B ADF

 

In 2003, the Italian Air Force lease on British Panavia Tornadoes ended as they waited for deliveries of the new Eurofighter Typhoon. In the interim Italy decided to lease 34 used US Air Force F-16A/B fighters, including 30 ADF variants. By 2012 all the F-16s had been returned to the USAF.

 

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F-16A/B OCU & F-16AM/BM MLU

 

Near the end of the block 15 production in 1988, General Dynamics introduced a new F100-PW-220 engine with the 'Operational Capability Upgrade' (OCU). It also included modifications in preparation of future even more advanced upgrades, notably the MLU.

 

The Mid-Life Update (MLU) upgrades brought older F-16As to closer to modern F-16C Block 50/52 standards with AIM-120 AMRAAM capability, 220E engine, upgraded cockpit, NVG, MFDs, avionics and Link16 datalink support.

 

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ROCAF F-16A/B Block 20 MLU

 

In 1993 Taiwan agreed to purchased 150 F-16s from the USA under the Peace Fenghuang program. These aircraft were block 15 OCUs but upgraded to MLU standards and specially designated the block 20. These aircraft included the ability to fire AIM-7 Sparrows and AIM-120 AMRAAMs.

Years later in 2019, Taiwan began further upgrading these aircraft to the F-16V Block 70/72 standard.

 

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F-16C/D

 

Block 25 "MSIP Stage II"

Block 30/32 "MSIP Stage III"

Block 40/42 "Night Falcon" - Unofficially referred to by the F-16CG or -16DG. Included high PRF (continuous wave) radar mode for SARH missiles.

Block 50/52 - Unofficially referred to by the F-16CJ or -16DJ.

 

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F-16C in aggressor livery.

 

 

 

Israeli F-16s

 

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Israeli F-16A/B "Netz"

 

Israeli designation for the F-16A/B block 10s delivered in 1980 under the Peace Marble program.

 

 

Israeli F-16C/D "Barak"

 

Israeli designation for the F-16C/D block 30/40. The 'Barak 2020' program was announced in 2011 meant to upgrade the Barak F-16s closer to the F-16I Sufa standards.

 

 

Israeli F-16I "Sufa"

 

Israeli advanced variant (F-16D block 52+), includes the conformal fuel tanks.

 

 

 

F-16E/F Block 60 "Desert Falcon"

 

The UAEAF specially designed variant with a F110-GE-132 engine.

 

 

F-16V Block 70/72

 

Unveiled in 2012 by Lockheed Martin as an extremely modern variant of the F-16 including the APG-83 AESA radar. The 'V' stands for Viper, in recognition of the plane's de facto nickname.

 

 

F-16 Technology Demonstrators and Testbeds

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F-16/101

 

F101X-GE DFE engine derivative

After building a new F101 engine for the proposed B-1A Lancer project that was ultimately canceled, General Electric sought other customers to offer them to. Namely the Navy and Air Force's F-14s and F-16s. Despite successful testing on F-16s, the engine was not adopted but instead used as a base for the future F110 GE engines.

 

 

NF-16D Testbed (X-62 VISTA, MATV, Skyborg)

 

In 1988, an F-16D block 30 (#86-0048) was converted to a research test platform in which several experiments would take place. The first of which was the VISTA (Variable stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft) program where an additional flight stick was installed in the center between the pilots knees. These modifications were made to study advanced fly-by-wire controls and stability.

Later in 1993, the Multi-Axis Thrust Vectoring (MATV) program began in which the NF-16 achieved super-maneuvrability with new AVEN nozzles attached to the F110 engines. These nozzles could deflect upwards of 17 degrees in any direction and drastically improved low speed handling.

More recently, in 2021 the Skyborg program selected the NF-16D to be re-designated as the X-62A and would serve as one of the air frames to test unmanned combat aerial vehicles with.

 

 

 

Other nations

 

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Turkey

 

 

Egypt

 

 

South Korea (KF-16)

 

 

Greece

 

 

Pakistan

 

 

India (F-21)

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

Mitsubishi F-2A/B Viper Zero

 

Japan domestically produced fighter sharing many aspects with the F-16. An upgraded "F-2 Super Kai" was considered for an air-superiority fighter but the idea was scrapped in favor of acquiring western aircraft.

 

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AIDC F-CK-1A/B Ching Kuo

 

Taiwan produced "indigenous defense fighter" that started development after political tensions prevented the USA from selling Taiwan its F-16 or F-20 Tigershark fighters.

 

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KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle

 

Developed by South Korea as the T-50 to train pilots on how to fly the KF-16, but later was adapted into a light fighter and attacker role with the FA-50.

 

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Specifications:

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F-16/79 - USA

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Length: 15.06m

Height: 4.9m

Wingspan: 9.96m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) General Electric J79-GE-17X afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 52,800 N

Thrust (AB): 79,630 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 7,730kg (17,042lb)

Max T-O: 17,000kg (37,500lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-66 radar

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9J/P

 

 

F-16A Blocks 1-10 - USA

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Length: 15.06m

Height: 4.9m

Wingspan: 9.96m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 65,260 N

Thrust (AB): 100,530 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 9,312kg (20,529lb)

Max T-O: 12,723kg (28,050lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-66 radar

Countermeasures : (2) AN/ALE-40

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9J, -9L

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84

 

 

F-16C-32 - USA

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Length: 15.03m

Height: 5.09m

Wingspan: 9.45m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 63,900 N

Thrust (AB): 105,720 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 9,312kg (20,529lb)

Max T-O: 12,723kg (28,050lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-68 radar, AN/ALR-74 RWR

Countermeasures : (4) AN/ALE-40

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9L, -9M
• AIM-120A

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84
• AGM-65 Maverick
• AGM-45 Shrike
• AGM-88 HARM

 

 

F-16CG-40 - USA

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Length: 15.06m

Height: 4.9m

Wingspan: 9.96m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) General Electric F110-GE-100 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 78,060 N

Thrust (AB): 124,600 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 9,312kg (20,529lb)

Max T-O: 12,723kg (28,050lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-68(V)1 radar, AN/ALR-74 RWR, LANTIRN pod

Countermeasures : (4) AN/ALE-40

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9L, -9M
• AIM-7M
• AIM-120B

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84
• AGM-65 Maverick
• AGM-45 Shrike
• AGM-88 HARM
• AGM-154 JSOW
• JDAM
• Laser guided bombs

 

F-16CJ-50 - USA

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Length: 15.06m

Height: 4.9m

Wingspan: 9.96m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) F110-GE-129 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 75,700 N

Thrust (AB): 129,000 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 8,910kg (19,643lb)

Max T-O: 12,852kg (28,335lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-68(V)5 radar, AN/ALR-56M RWR

Countermeasures : (4) AN/ALE-40

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9L, -9M
• AIM-7M
• AIM-120B

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84
• AGM-65 Maverick
• AGM-45 Shrike
• AGM-88 HARM
• AGM-154 JSOW
• JDAM
• Laser guided bombs

 

 

F-16A-15 ADF - USA / Italy

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Length: 15.06m

Height: 4.9m

Wingspan: 9.96m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 65,260 N

Thrust (AB): 100,530 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 9,312kg (20,529lb)

Max T-O: 12,723kg (28,050lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-66A radar, AN/ALR-69 RWR

Countermeasures : (2) AN/ALE-40

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9L, -9M
• AIM-7M

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84
• AGM-65 Maverick

 

 

F-16V-72 - USA / Taiwan

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Length: 15.06m

Height: 4.9m

Wingspan: 9.96m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 79,180 N

Thrust (AB): 129,450 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 9,312kg (20,529lb)

Max T-O: 12,723kg (28,050lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-83 AESA radar, AN/ALR-93(V)1 RWR

Countermeasures : (4) AN/ALE-47

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9M, -9X
• AIM-7M
• AIM-120C, -120D
• Sky Sword 1, 2

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84
• AGM-65 Maverick
• AGM-88 HARM
• AGM-154 JSOW
• JDAM
• Laser guided bombs

 

 

F-16A-10 "Netz" - Israel

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Length: 15.06m

Height: 4.9m

Wingspan: 9.96m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 65,260 N

Thrust (AB): 100,530 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 9,312kg (20,529lb)

Max T-O: 12,723kg (28,050lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-66 radar

Countermeasures : (6) AN/ALE-40

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9L
• Python 3

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84

 

 

F-16C-30 "Barak" - Israel

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Length: 15.06m

Height: 4.9m

Wingspan: 9.96m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) General Electric F110-GE-100 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 78,060 N

Thrust (AB): 124,600 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 9,312kg (20,529lb)

Max T-O: 12,723kg (28,050lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-68 radar, AN/ALR-74 RWR, EL/L-8240 ECM

Countermeasures : (6) AN/ALE-40

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9L
• Python 3
• Python 4
• Derby

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84
• TAL 1, 2 cluster bombs
• Opher LGB Mk82, 83, 84
• Griffin LGB Mk82, 83, 84
• SPICE 1000/2000 PGB

 

 

F-16A-20 - Taiwan

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Length: 15.06m

Height: 4.9m

Wingspan: 9.96m

Wing area: 27.87m² (300ft²)

Powerplant: (1) Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 63,900 N

Thrust (AB): 105,720 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 9,312kg (20,529lb)

Max T-O: 12,723kg (28,050lb)

Internal fuel capacity: 3,925 liters (1,073 gal)

Avionics: AN/APG-66(V)3 radar

Countermeasures : (4) AN/ALE-40

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9L, -9M
• AIM-7M

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84

 

 

AIDC F-CK-1A - Taiwan

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Length: 14.21m

Height: 4.65m

Wingspan: 8.53m

Wing area: 24.26m² (261.1ft²)

Powerplant: (2) ITEC F-125-GA-100 afterburning turbofan engines

Thrust (Mil): 105,600 N

Thrust (AB): 159,260 N

Max Speed: Mach 1.8

Service ceiling: 16,800m (55,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 6,486kg (14,299lb)

Max T-O: 12,247kg (27,000lb)

Internal fuel capacity:

Avionics: GD-53 (AN/APG-67V) radar, AN/ALR-93V RWR

Countermeasures :

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (511 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-9L
• TC-1 Sky Sword I
• TC-2 Sky Sword II

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84
• Hsiung Feng II

 

 

Mitsubishi F-2A - Japan

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Length: 15.52m

Height: 4.96m

Wingspan: 10.8m

Wing area: 34.84m² (375.0ft²)

Powerplant: (1) General Electric F110-IHI-129 afterburning turbofan engine

Thrust (Mil): 75,700 N

Thrust (AB): 129,000 N

Max Speed: Mach 2.0

Service ceiling: 15,250m (50,000ft)

Weight

Empty: 9,527kg (21,003lb)

Max T-O : 22,100kg (45,232lb)

Internal fuel capacity : 4,750 liters (1,255 US gal)

Avionics: J/APG-1 AESA radar, J/APR-4A RWR, J/ALQ-8 ECM

Countermeasures : (2) AN/ALE-47 CMD

Cannon:  JM61A2 Vulcan (512 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

A-A Missiles:

• AAM-3
• AAM-4
• AIM-9L
• AIM-7F, -7M

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk 82, 83, 84
• ASM-1, ASM-2
• GCS-1 IIR Mk82
• JM117 750lb GPB

 

 

 

 

 

Engines

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General Electric J79-GE-17X (F-16/79)

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Length: 5.3m

Diameter: 0.992m

Mass: 1,749kg

Thrust (Mil): 52,800 N

Thrust (AB): 79,630 N

Fuel consumption: 23.74 mg/Ns (Mil), 55.53 mg/Ns (AB)

 

Similar to the J79-GE-17 engine used on the F-4E/F/EJ.

 

 

General Electric F101-X DFE (F-16/101)

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Length: 4.63m

Diameter: 1.18m

Mass: 1,492kg

Thrust (Mil): ~62,300 N

Thrust (AB): ~124,600 N

Fuel consumption: ~18.13 mg/Ns (Mil), 48.16 mg/Ns (AB)

 

 

Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 (YF-16, Block 1, 5, 10, 15)

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Length: 4.85m

Diameter: 1.18m

Mass: 1,447kg

Thrust (Mil): 65,260 N

Thrust (AB): 100,530 N

Fuel consumption: 59.49 mg/Ns (AB)

 

 

Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220/220E (15OCU, 20, 25, 32, 42)

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Length: 4.85m

Diameter: 1.18m

Mass: 1,452kg, 1,467kg (220E)

Thrust (Mil): 63,900 N

Thrust (AB): 105,720 N

Fuel consumption: 59.49 mg/Ns (AB)

 

 

General Electric F110-GE-100 (Block 30, 40)

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Length: 4.63m

Diameter: 1.18m

Mass: 1,492kg

Thrust (Mil): 78,060 N

Thrust (AB): 124,600 N

Fuel consumption: 18.13 mg/Ns (Mil), 48.16 mg/Ns (AB)

 

 

General Electric F110-GE-129 (Block 50, 70, F-16XL, Mitsubishi F-2)

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Length: 4.62m

Diameter: 1.18m

Mass: 1,791kg

Thrust (Mil): 75,700 N

Thrust (AB): 129,000 N

Fuel consumption: 18.13 mg/Ns (Mil), 48.16 mg/Ns (AB)

 

 

General Electric F110-GE-132 (Block 60)

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Length: 4.62m

Diameter: 1.18m

Mass: 1,840kg

Thrust (Mil): 80,000? N

Thrust (AB): 145,000 N

 

 

Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 (Block 52, 72)

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Length: 4.84m

Diameter: 1.18m

Mass: 1,699kg

Thrust (Mil): 79,180 N

Thrust (AB): 129,450 N

Fuel consumption: 54.96 mg/Ns (AB)

 

 

Honeywell/ITEC F-125-GA-100 aka TFE1042-70 (AIDC F-CK-1A)

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Length: 5.3m

Diameter: 0.992mm

Mass: 1,749kg

Thrust (Mil): 52,800 N

Thrust (AB): 79,630 N

Fuel consumption: 23.74 mg/Ns (Mil), 55.53 mg/Ns (AB)

 

 

 

Radars

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AN/APG-66

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AN/APG-66A and AN/APG-66(V)1 - Block 15 ADF

 

AN/APG-66(V)2 - Block 15 MLU

 

AN/APG-66(V)3 - Block 20 MLU (Taiwan)

 

AN/APG-68 - Block 25

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AN/APG-68(V)5 - Block 50

 

AN/APG-68(V)XM - F-16I Sufa

 

AN/APG-68(V)8

 

AN/APG-68(V)9

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AN/APG-80 (AESA) - F-16E/F Block 60

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AN/APG-83 (AESA) - F-16V

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APG-67 (GD-53, T-50IQ) - AIDC F-CK-1/KAI FA-50

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J/APG-1 (AESA) - F-2A

This was the world's first AESA radar to be installed on an operational service aircraft.

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Weapons and Avionics:

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Cannon:

• M61A1 Vulcan
• M61A2

• JM61A1

• JM61A2

 

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-120A, B, C, D
• AIM-9J, P, L, M
• AIM-7M
• Python 3, 4, 5
• TC-1 Sky Sword I
• TC-2 Sky Sword II
• AAM-3
• AAM-4

 

A-G Ordnance:

• Mk82, 83, 84
• CBU-52, 71, 87, 89
• GBU-10, 15, 12, 24, 31, 32, 35, 38
• Mk20 Rockeye II
• AGM-88B HARM
• AGM-65B, D, G
• HYDRA 70mm rockets
• TAL 1, 2 cluster bombs
• Opher LGB Mk82, 83, 84
• Griffin LGB Mk82, 83, 84

 

Countermeasures:

• AN/ALE-40 - (2) dispensers on F-16A
• AN/ALE-47 - (4) dispensers on F-16C

 

Avionics:

• AN/ALR-69
• AN/ALR-74
• AN/ALR-93V
• J/APR-4A

 

• AN/ALQ-119
• AN/ALQ-184
• AN/ALQ-131
• J/ALQ-8

 

• AN/AAQ-13/14 LANTIRN
• Litening Pod

 

External fuel tanks:

• 300 US gal
• 370 US gal (1564 L)
• 600 US gal (2536 L)

 

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Cockpit and Controls:

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F-16A/B

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F-16C/D

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F-16E/F/V Block 60/70

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HOTAS

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Performance Charts:

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F-16A/B (F100-PW-220)

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Turn rate

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Photos:

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Videos:

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USA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKZjWT-i_Hk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w2ogyElvto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUjX1RntqVw

 

Israel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFObTJxFuWI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8ecQuZ51EQ

 

Taiwan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdXIWUJ7q_Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhBGNr7L9Yg

 

Italy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMqN7e_SDK0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSihZCHVdcs

 

Japan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqcr0MMs-xk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=111IfEfuOrA

 

 

Other Topics:

Quote

 

 

Sources:

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1. F-16A Falcon Block 1-10 SAC - March 1984
2. F-16A Falcon Block 15 Falcon SAC - March 1984
3. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1991-92
4. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2011-12
5. Jane's Aircraft Upgrades 2007
6. Jane's Avionics 2005
7. Jane's Air-Launched Weapons #45
8. Jane's Aero-Engines 2002
9. The Early Viper Guide: The F-16A/B Exposed - Jake Melampy
10. The Modern Viper Guide: The F-16C/D Exposed - Jake Melampy
11. Uncovering the Lockheed Martin F-16A/B/C/D - Coremans, Deboeck
12. General Dynamics F-16A/B Netz - Raanan Weiss, Yoav Efrati
13. Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Barak - Raanan Weiss, Alon Koren
14. https://www.f-16.net/
15. http://www.airvectors.net/avf16.html
16. https://theaviationist.com/special-reports/italian-f-16-in-details/
17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon

 

Changelog:

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1/19/2023: Removed any references to possibly restricted sources.

 

Edited January 19 by spacenavy90

[spacenavy90 1,399]

This was definitely a long one... lots of Falcons out there.

Gaijin also kept thinking it was spam because it was too long.

 

Also not sure how this happened:

but if a moderator could clean those up (I can't even open them) that would be great.

Edited July 11, 2022 by spacenavy90

[Faster_Boiiiii 737]

my personal favorite US fighter

[spacenavy90 1,399]

38 minutes ago, Faster_Boiiiii said:

my personal favorite US fighter

 

Pretty and effective, what more could you want?

[Faster_Boiiiii 737]

8 minutes ago, spacenavy90 said:

 

Pretty and effective, what more could you want?

i loved flying it in dcs

Spoiler

and i hope that we'll get a Norwegian one ;p

 

[spacenavy90 1,399]

1 hour ago, Faster_Boiiiii said:

i loved flying it in dcs

Reveal hidden contents

and i hope that we'll get a Norwegian one ;p

 

 

Same, especially in VR. The cockpit is so much smaller than you expect it to be.

 

Maybe Sweden could get the Norwegian one it as an event vehicle or something someday?

[Suizu_Aika 59]

I love it already!

[oom1992 616]

Oh thanks, that's long-awaited, I have been waiting specification of F-16E Block 60 "Desert Falcon" and Lockheed Martin KF-16C

 

F-16E Block 60 "Desert Falcon" (UAEAF)

 

KF-16 Fighting Falcon (ROKAF)

Edited July 11, 2022 by oom1992

[Suizu_Aika 59]

Indonesian two F-16A Block OCU

[Faster_Boiiiii 737]

46 minutes ago, spacenavy90 said:

Maybe Sweden could get the Norwegian one it as an event vehicle or something someday?

tt please

[spacenavy90 1,399]

2 minutes ago, Faster_Boiiiii said:

tt please

 

Are there any non-Swedish vehicles in the main tech tree? I honestly don't know. Though I do consider the Swedish tree sort of as the de facto "Scandinavian" tree, so maybe they should just go ahead and add other nation vehicles in like Finland, Norway, etc.

[Faster_Boiiiii 737]

14 minutes ago, spacenavy90 said:

 

Are there any non-Swedish vehicles in the main tech tree? I honestly don't know. Though I do consider the Swedish tree sort of as the de facto "Scandinavian" tree, so maybe they should just go ahead and add other nation vehicles in like Finland, Norway, etc.

i think the air tree is clean so far but the ground tree does include finnish vehicles and the air tree will soon(according to the devs)... so it'd make sense to me ya know

and its honestly the only thing we'd be getting any time soon because we aint getting the JAS 39 or F/A-18(from Finland) before things like su-35s are added

Edited July 11, 2022 by Faster_Boiiiii

[RagnarRedBaron 24]

7 hours ago, Faster_Boiiiii said:

i think the air tree is clean so far but the ground tree does include finnish vehicles and the air tree will soon(according to the devs)... so it'd make sense to me ya know

and its honestly the only thing we'd be getting any time soon because we aint getting the JAS 39 or F/A-18(from Finland) before things like su-35s are added

Majority of air premiums that aren't jets are Finnish. Finland was confirmed to be added as a sub tree, eventually. I have been hoping for it being added in the anniversary update this year with another sub tree like Hungary but that is just hopium at this point. 

They recently passed to devs a Finnish Mig-21 that is a recon variant and a Finnish T-34. I believe that these are signs they are possibly cooking something up.

[Cairn_67 537]

The Israeli F-16C can also carry the Spice guided bombs.

Spoiler

 

 

[spacenavy90 1,399]

20 minutes ago, Cairn_67 said:

The Israeli F-16C can also carry the Spice guided bombs.

Hide contents

 

 

 

...Spicy

 

[ZVO_12_INCH 492]

59 minutes ago, Cairn_67 said:

The Israeli F-16C can also carry the Spice guided bombs.

Reveal hidden contents

 

 

 

38 minutes ago, spacenavy90 said:

 

...Spicy

 

This is still a serious modernization....Without changing the designation of the modification....so this is generation 4+....

In 2007 The Air Force launched the Barak-2020 project – modernization of some F-16C/D avionics systems according to the F-16I ("Sufa") aircraft standard, designed to extend the service life of aircraft until 2030. Serial modernization was carried out in 2011-2015, work was carried out at Hatzor and Ramat David air bases (i.e. within the framework of the average aircraft repair). Among other things, the work included: the aircraft's onboard computers were replaced, new software (written inside the Air Force by the Ofek division, work on the software took 4 years; it allows you to quickly install various new applications on the aircraft, and in this sense, Barrack 2020 surpasses even Sufa); replacement of the "debriefing" system – from cassette (VCR) to digital; new pilot helmets with helmet-mounted display / sight; modernization of the flight control system; new coded communication system; replacement of screens in the cabins with new colored ones; replacement of all electrical wiring (the most time-consuming part of the modernization)....

2017-a new modernization program "Barak" – "Barak-2030", designed to extend the service life of aircraft after 2030. What exactly it will include was not reported...

Spice bombs from 2018....

At the same time, the MiG-29 (9-12B)-With the ability to use R-77 missiles received a new designation MiG-29SD (9-12SD)...

 

 

[[email protected] 445]

The jet that everyone knows by name. Such a bloody beautiful aircraft. Could not name one that looks for clean and just all around fantastic. 

[Fireraid233 4,251]

 

 

Edited July 24, 2022 by Fireraid233

[spacenavy90 1,399]

20 minutes ago, [email protected] said:

The jet that everyone knows by name. Such a bloody beautiful aircraft. Could not name one that looks for clean and just all around fantastic. 

 

Agreed, hopefully we don't have to wait very long to see this jet in-game! My guess still stands around the 10th anniversary update in November.

 

2 minutes ago, Fireraid233 said:

 

 

Japanese aircraft paint jobs are on a whole 'nother level. We may not get to see the F-2 for a while, but surely someone will make F-2 inspired skins for the earlier blocks we get first.

[[email protected] 445]

One thing I must say that is a huge positive is that the U.S isn’t the only one getting an F16 if they are added. Hopefully, Japan and Italy will get their F16’s as well. It won’t be an F14 scenario where the wheel is one sided and everyone is on a single nation and on a single aircraft. If I missed anything and this is wrong, please tell me. But, this is something I cannot wait for. I would just love to go super fast lobbing missiles in the enemy in such an iconic aircraft. The thought makes me super excited for the future of this game.

[Fireraid233 4,251]

F-2 has a domestic fly-by-wire software 

 

Edited July 24, 2022 by Fireraid233

[Suizu_Aika 59]

isn't the F-16A Block 15 ADF also able to carry AIM-120?

[spacenavy90 1,399]

2 hours ago, Suizu_Aika said:

isn't the F-16A Block 15 ADF also able to carry AIM-120?

 

Eventually yes, but the initial idea was to add a CW illuminator for Sparrows specifically.

[Valqyrie 1,802]

3 hours ago, Suizu_Aika said:

isn't the F-16A Block 15 ADF also able to carry AIM-120?

There are a lot of additions to different blocks, despite having a block 15 you can have block 30-40 capabilities on your aircraft. F-16 blocks have a lot of modifications/upgrades to them and it's hard to keep a track tbh.

[TimeFaker 237]

22 minutes ago, Valqyrie said:

There are a lot of additions to different blocks, despite having a block 15 you can have block 30-40 capabilities on your aircraft. F-16 blocks have a lot of modifications/upgrades to them and it's hard to keep a track tbh.

well gaijin would like to have them in variants