F-16xl

[joshje100]

Copying this from the announcement thread

Some interesting things I’ve found looking through General Dynamics F-16XL Dual-Role Fighter An Illustrated History

Original F-16A FSD 75-0749 (XL-1)

Original F-16A FSD 75-0747 (XL-2)

Comparison of the air-to-ground capabilities of the XL vs an F-16A

XL-1 with 2 x BDU-38 (dummy B-61 nuclear bombs)

XL-1 with 6 x SUU-65 cluster bombs

XL-2 without wingtip pylons

XL-1 with it's USAF grey paint wearing off to reveal the original paint

XL-2 with the F-16 FLIR Demo Pod (This flight test also evaluated an HMD but that is mentioned in NASA Elegance in Flight book

XL-2 fitted with a Modular Recon Pod on the centreline station

XL-1 and 2 cockpits during testing and planned production cockpits

XL Weapon Stations Chart showing the location of the twin chin mounted LANTIRN NAV and TGP pods

XL-1 flight the day before being delivered to NASA

XL-2 in it's NASA colours before the asymmetric wings modification

[miki3084]

Despite being a delta‑wing aircraft, why does the F‑16XL have this kind of drag profile? I expected the drag to decrease more at higher speeds

[Zannafrancy]

better be, any other br would be garbage