F-16 Falcon Thread, News, Pics, videos

[Scratch]

I realized we did not have a thread for this amazing aircraft.

In fact ...

https://www.sinodefenceforum.com/f-16-falcon-thread-news-pics-videos.t6979/

This thread is for and about the F-16, Falcon, in its various varieties, including the new F-16Vs.

Pictures, videos, news, upgrades, sales/exports, information, etc.

The F-16 is the most prolific, most successful modern western jet fighter in history. Only the F-35 will have a chance (in he foreseeable future) to eclipse it.

It's been a little while but not too long actually. You started it by the way ...

Can someone also give a description of what makes this a/c the F-16. Why would you want them instead of say F-18? It just looks like an odd airplane, with the single engine. Why do countries want this bird? What makes it a good airplane? What makes it still viable in this day and age?

Especially towards the beginning of it's career, the F-16 was a light, simple and therefore very affordable airplane. During the Reagan years, I think, it was was produced to an extent that it almost flooded the allied fighter markets. That's were it found widespread use and recognition.
It was upgraded many times over the years. It's still affoardable, maintainable and mulit-role.

 

[Jeff Head]

In fact ...

It's been a little while but not too long actually. You started it by the way ...

Especially towards the beginning of it's career, the F-16 was a light, simple and therefore very affordable airplane. During the Reagan years, I think, it was was produced to an extent that it almost flooded the allied fighter markets. That's were it found widespread use and recognition.
It was upgraded many times over the years. It's still affoardable, maintainable and mulit-role.

Dang! I actually searched and did not find...even though I created the ting myself!

My bad...now merging threads...at least there is a fix for my embarrassment.

 

[Jeff Head]

Deleted.

 

[Jeff Head]

Can someone also give a description of what makes this a/c the F-16. Why would you want them instead of say F-18? It just looks like an odd airplane, with the single engine. Why do countries want this bird? What makes it a good airplane? What makes it still viable in this day and age?

Itis VERY agile and good in a dog fight. it also has good sensors and can carry the best BVR missiles.

It is multi-role and can carry a LOT of air to surface ordinance for its size, including all osrts of precision guided weaponry.

It can be upgraded and has been extensively upgraded over its life.

It is cheap (relative to other more modern aircraft).

All of those made it very popular...and it is still popular with the latest updated aircraft selling as brand new builds today, well over 40 years after it was introduced.

 

[Scratch]

In it's latest - conceptual - incarnation as envisioned for the Indian AF MMRCA tender. It even went beyond the UAE Block 60 Desert Falcon.
Conformal fuel tanks, a powerfull engine, APG-80 AESA radar, modern avionics and weapons.

I'm a little disapointed they don't continue the DSI they tested several years back which apparently achieved a 1-2% performance increase.

 

[Jeff Head]

As to some of the load outs for the F-16s...





...and of course there is the loadout I chose for my USAF F-16D Model:

 

[Jeff Head]

So, who all is currently actively using the F-16?

Only the following 26 countries:

United States
Bahrain
Belgium
Chile
Denmark
Egypt
Greece
Israel
Indonesia
Iraq
Jordan
Morocco
Netherlands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan (Republic of China)
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
Venezuela

 

[Jeff Head]

In it's latest - conceptual - incarnation as envisioned for the Indian AF MMRCA tender. It even went beyond the UAE Block 60 Desert Falcon.

Conformal fuel tanks, a powerful engine, APG-80 AESA radar, modern avionics and weapons.

Well, the new build F-16V that were proposed for the US military 2-3 years ago would have gotten AESA radar, an upgraded mission computer and architecture, an improved “glass” (digital) cockpit. All of that could be for new build aircraft, or as upgrades to existing aircraft.

As it is, the latest US models are the F-16C/D aircraft and Block 50/52. The Block 50/52 does support conformal fuel tanks and the dorsal compartment...but the USAF does not use them at present.The two seat version ("D") looks like this:

The newer United Arab Emirates aircraft are the Block 60/61 aircraft and they do use both the conformal fuel tanks and the dorsal compartment. Their aircraft look like this in the two seat version.



Israel uses a special version of the Block 50/52 called the F-16I Sufa. It makes use on the Block 50/52 of both the conformal flue tanks and the dorsal compartment. They also use a lot of Israeli avionics. Here's how they look:

 

[Jeff Head]

How much does a new F-16 cost?

Well, when it came out in the 90s the F-16D was about $20 million.

Now, 20 years later, these new latest Block versions cost on the order of $70 million. Still cheap when compared to an F-22, F-35, Rafael, etc.

 

[FORBIN]

Israeli F-16 : the second more big operators : 260
100 F-16i a very goof fighter very customized as all Israel fighter, mainly electronic, ECM systems in more F-16 is a medium fighters but with CFT the i as Bl 50/52+/60 have a range close of heavy fighters. Used by 4 sqns.

130 F-16C/D bl30/40

And remains in service about 30* F-16A/B bl 10 remains in service retired for end 2015.
Equip only the116th Sqn to Nevatim which is a Agressor Sqn obviously usable for combat with very good pilots/instructors, this F-16 replaced to Nevatim by the first F-35 delivered end 2016 for 140 Sqn re created and after the 116th.
*Number quoted in general 90 but except this 30 all others in stock.