F-16 Falcon
The F-16 has been manufactured on as many as five separate production lines, making it the largest fighter program in the Western world. Over 4000 F-16s have been built, with production still continuing.
In designing the F-16, advanced aerospace science and proven reliable systems from other aircraft such as the F-15 and F-111 were selected. These were combined to simplify the airplane and reduce its size, purchase price, maintenance costs and weight. The light weight of the fuselage is achieved without reducing its strength, the F-16 is less than half the weight of the F-14 and it can carry a larger payload.
With a full load of internal fuel, the F-16 can withstand up to 9 G's, that is more than the capability of other current fighter aircraft.
The pilot has excellent flight control of the F-16 through its "fly-by-wire" system. Electrical wires relay commands, replacing the usual cables and linkage controls. The cockpit and its bubble canopy give the pilot unobstructed forward and upward vision, and greatly improved vision over the side and to the rear.
The seat-back angle was expanded from the usual 13 degrees to 30 degrees, increasing pilot comfort and gravity force tolerance. The pilot has excellent flight control of the F-16 through its "fly-by-wire" system. Electrical wires relay commands, replacing the usual cables and linkage controls. For easy and accurate control of the aircraft during high G-force combat maneuvers, a side stick controller is used instead of the conventional center-mounted stick.
Hand pressure on the side stick controller sends electrical signals to actuators of flight control surfaces such as ailerons and rudder.
All F-16s delivered since November 1981 have built-in structural and wiring provisions and systems architecture that permit expansion of the multirole flexibility to perform precision strike, night attack and beyond-visual-range interception missions.
This improvement program led to the F-16C and F-16D aircraft, which are the single- and two-place counterparts to the F-16A/B, and incorporate the latest cockpit control and display technology.
The F-16 was built under an unusual agreement creating a consortium between the United States and four NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.
These countries jointly produced with the United States an initial 348 F-16s for their air forces.
Final airframe assembly lines were located in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Versions:
F-16A
The F-16A, a single-seat model, first flew in December 1976.
The first operational F-16A was delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
F-16B
The F-16B, a two-seat model, has tandem cockpits that are about the same size as the one in the A model.
Its bubble canopy extends to cover the second cockpit. To make room for the second cockpit, the forward fuselage fuel tank and avionics growth space were reduced. The B loses 1,200 pounds of internal fuel capacity because of the second seat. The antenna pods were fitted on the wingtips in place of the AIM-9 missles.
During training, the forward cockpit is used by a student pilot with an instructor pilot in the rear cockpit.
F-16C/D
All F-16s delivered since November 1981 have built-in structural and wiring provisions and systems architecture that permit expansion of the multirole flexibility to perform precision strike, night attack and beyond-visual-range interception missions.
This improvement program led to the F-16C and F-16D aircraft, which are the single- and two-place counterparts to the F-16A/B, and incorporate the latest cockpit control and display technology.
Currently, most active units have converted to the F-16C/D.
The Falcon's versatility is still being explored. The variety of stores it can carry and wide range of missions it can undertake with great effectiveness is staggering.
The F-16 has proven itself capable of air superiority, "Wild Weasel", strike, and reconnaissance missions without any structural modofications.
The simple addition of the proper external pods or ordnance is all that is required. There is even an experimental GPU-5 external gun pod which contains a 30mm cannon firing the same shells as the A-10's famous tank-busting Avenger.
Recent developments (news)
Thunderbirds wrap up 2009 Far East Tour
Posted at: Thu Nov 5th, 2009
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron left their home at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, six weeks ago to embark on a whirlwind journey that took them halfway around the world. The Thunderbirds typically travel from mid-March to mid-November in the contine...
Lockheed Unveils First New F-16 For Pakistan
Posted at: Wed Oct 14th, 2009
FORT WORTH, Texas, October 13th, 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] unveiled the first of 18 new F-16s being produced for Pakistan in ceremonies today at its Fort Worth, Texas, facility. Officials including the Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. and Pakistan Air ...
Airmen, aircraft showcase wing capabilities during air show
Posted at: Wed Oct 7th, 2009
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Airmen throughout the wing banded together during the Team Andersen Air Show '09 held Oct. 7 here held to showcase 36th Wing capabilities to more than 20,000 local community members. The air show was originally cancelled due to tropical storm Melo...
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