The General Dynamics F-16D Block 50 is the twin-seat variant of the F-16C Block 50 used by the United States Air Force and has seen success in various conflicts around the world with it also being exported to numerous nations.
History
In the 1960’s a program would be started to find a air superiority fighter that could overcome the challenges faced by fighter pilots during the Vietnam War, this would become known as the Lightweight Fighter Program, also known as the Fighter Mafia. Multiple proposals for the Air Forces next fighter aircraft were made, the most notable being the YF-16 by General Dynamics, and the YF-17 by Northrop. In 1975 after multiple tests and careful consideration, the YF-16 was chosen and would be developed into the F-16 we know today.
The F-16A would enter service with the USAF in October 1980 with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The F-16 would go on to prove itself worthy of being called one of the most successful 4th Gen aircraft ever made after seeing success in various conflicts from combat over the Balkans to Operation Desert Storm and other conflicts in the Middle East and with 25 foreign operators from around the world.
The evolution of the F-16 would end up in the development of the F-16D, a twin-seat variant of the F-16C. The first F-16D’s were the Block 25, this brought improved cockpit avionics, an advanced radar, and the ability to fire beyond visual range weapons such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
In late 1991 the first F-16D Block 50 would enter service with the USAF, it brought with it improved GPS/INS, further advanced air to air missiles and air to ground munitions such as AGM-88 HARM and JDAM and a better engine, the General Electric F110-GE-129.
Specifications
Size
- Length - 49 ft. 5 in
- Wing Span - 32 ft. 8 in
- Wing Area - 300 sq.ft
- Height - 16 ft. 0 in
Weight
- Empty Weight - 18,900 lbs
- Max Weight - 42,300 lbs
Performance
- Max. Speed - 1,500 mph
- Cruise Speed - 577 mph
- Service Ceiling - 60,000 ft
- Normal Range - 339 miles
- Max. Range - 2417 miles
Powerplant
- 1 x General Electric F110-GE-129 (Block 50)
or - 1 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 (Block 52)
Armament
Gun
- 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon (512 rounds)
Air to Air
- AIM-9L/M/X Sidewinder
- AIM-120A/B/C/D AMRAAM
Air to Ground Missiles
- AGM-65 Maverick
- AGM-84 Harpoon
- AGM-88 HARM
Air to Ground Rockets
- Hydra 70mm
- APKWS
- Zuni
Air to Ground Bombs
- Mk84 GP Bombs
- Mk83 GP Bombs
- Mk82 GP Bombs
- GBU-39 SDB
- GBU-10/12 Paveway II
- GBU-24/27 Paveway III
- JDAM/LJDAM (Also with Extended Range variants)
- AGM-154 JSOW
Avionics
- JHMCS
- AN/ALE-47 Chaff/Flare Dispensers
- AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy System
- AN/AAQ-28 LITENING
- AN/AAQ-33 Sniper
- AN/APG-68 Radar
- AN/ALR-56M RWR
- AN/ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Suite
Pictures
- Yes
- No
- Tech Tree (Standalone)
- Tech Tree (Foldered with the F-16C)
- Squadron
- Event
- Premium
- I said no
- 13.3
- 13.7
- 14.0
- 14.3+
- I said no