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F-16 is a modern US-built, multi-purpose combat jet? aircraft. It is use by dozens of countries all over the world. |
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See Fighter aircraft |
HistoryFrom the very beginning, F-16 was intended to be neither a technical break-through, nor an enormously powerful weapons platform, but rather a cost-effective "workhorse", that could perform various kinds of missions and maintain around-the-clock readiness. This distinguishes the F-16 from its predecessors, many of which were not designed for all-weather operation (F-104?), and extremely expensive (F-14?). From the point of view of design, the F-16 is closer to a fighter than to a ground attack aircraft. It is small and agile, and its canopy is designed for the pilot's optimal visibility, a feature vital during air-to-air combat. For this purpose, the F-16 carries an M-61 Gatling gun, and can be equipped with air-to-air missiles. However, the F-16 can also perform ground-support tasks if necessary. For that task, it can be equipped with missiles or bombs. The F-16 originates in a set of specifications the Department of Defense issued in 1974. Two companies were chosen during the concept stage: [General Dynamics]? with the XF-16 design and Northrop? with a design which bore the name XF-17. The F-16 was chosen from the two prototypes; however the two-engined XF-17 was not abandoned and later on became the F-18?. Initially, the F-16 was manufactured in two models: A (combat version) and B (two seats, used for training). The first time an F-16A took off was in December 1976; the first aircraft was delivered to the US Air Force in January 1979. In the 1980s, the F-16A/B was superseded by the F-16C/D with improved avionics and engine. Due to their ubiquitousness, the F-16s have participated in numerous conflicts, most of them in the Middle East. In 1981, 4 Israeli F-16s participated in a raid that destroyed an Iraqi nuclear reactor near Baghdad. The following year, during the invasion into Lebanon, Israeli F-16s engaged on numerous occasions with Syrian aircraft, ending up victorious at all times but one. F-16s were also used afterwards in their ground-attack role for strikes against Lebanon. In Gulf War of 1991, F-16 from the air forces of the Coalition participated in the strikes against Iraq. Versions* F-16A/B - original version * F-16C/D - improved avionics and engine * F-16ADF - upgraded F-16A/B that was handed out to the [National Guard]? * RF-16C/F-16R - reconnaissance? version that carries the ATARS package * FS-X - modified version, produces in Japan by Mitsubishi? * F-16XL - a delta-wing version used by NASA for aeronautical research * F-16I - a version with improved avionics, manufactured for Israel InventoryThe figures are as of 1992. * US Air Force Active status: 804 * US Air National Guard: 634 * US Reserve: 150 * Other air forces: 1300 * Total number manufactured: about 2,900 Manufacturers* [General Dynamics]? (USA) * TAI (Turkey) * Focker? (Netherlands) * SABCA? (Belgium) * Denmark * Norway Specifications* Powerplant: ** F-16A/B: Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200 turbofan engine with afterburner, 10,800 Kgf thrust. ** F-16C/D: Pratt and Whitney F-100-PW-200/220 or General Electric F-110-GE-100 turbofan engine with afterburner, 12,150 Kgf thrust. * Size: ** Length: 14.8 m. ** Height: 4.8 m. ** Wingspan: 9.8 m. * Speed: ** Maximum: Mach 2 * Ceiling: classified, above 15 Km. * Takeoff weight: 16,875 Kg * Range: ** Combat (without refueling): 860 Km ** Ferry: more than 3200 Km * Unit cost: ** F-16A/B: US $9.5 million ** F-16C/D: US $12.8 million * Armament: ** 20 mm. M-61 cannon ** For air-to-air combat: AIM-9 Sidewinders and AIM-120 AMRAAM misiles. ** For ground attack: AGM-65 Maverick, various kinds of bombs ("dumb", laser-guided or cluster) of up to 2000 lbs See Fighter aircraft |
From the very beginning, F-16 was intended to be neither a technical break-through, nor an enormously powerful weapons platform, but rather a cost-effective "workhorse", that could perform various kinds of missions and maintain around-the-clock readiness. This distinguishes the F-16 from its predecessors, many of which were not designed for all-weather operation (F-104?), and extremely expensive (F-14?).
From the point of view of design, the F-16 is closer to a fighter than to a ground attack aircraft. It is small and agile, and its canopy is designed for the pilot's optimal visibility, a feature vital during air-to-air combat. For this purpose, the F-16 carries an M-61 Gatling gun, and can be equipped with air-to-air missiles. However, the F-16 can also perform ground-support tasks if necessary. For that task, it can be equipped with missiles or bombs.
The F-16 originates in a set of specifications the Department of Defense issued in 1974. Two companies were chosen during the concept stage: [General Dynamics]? with the XF-16 design and Northrop? with a design which bore the name XF-17. The F-16 was chosen from the two prototypes; however the two-engined XF-17 was not abandoned and later on became the F-18?.
Initially, the F-16 was manufactured in two models: A (combat version) and B (two seats, used for training). The first time an F-16A took off was in December 1976; the first aircraft was delivered to the US Air Force in January 1979. In the 1980s, the F-16A/B was superseded by the F-16C/D with improved avionics and engine.
Due to their ubiquitousness, the F-16s have participated in numerous conflicts, most of them in the Middle East. In 1981, 4 Israeli F-16s participated in a raid that destroyed an Iraqi nuclear reactor near Baghdad. The following year, during the invasion into Lebanon, Israeli F-16s engaged on numerous occasions with Syrian aircraft, ending up victorious at all times but one. F-16s were also used afterwards in their ground-attack role for strikes against Lebanon. In Gulf War of 1991, F-16 from the air forces of the Coalition participated in the strikes against Iraq.
See Fighter aircraft
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