Lockheed-Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon

In 1972 the USAF began looking for a lightweight, versatile fighter as a substitute for the F-15 Eagle. The design program was supposed to allow the manufacturers to showcase their technologies, but was not intended to result in anything more than a conceptual prototype. General Dynamics (now Lockheed-Martin) fielded the XF-16. The jets superior dogfighting abilities, coupled with it low cost, made it instantly popular, and earned it the nickname "Viper." The F-16A and F-16B (one- and two-seat versions, respectively), became operational in 1979 with the USAF, and the plane is license-built in Belgium and Holland.

F-16Cs and -Ds (upgraded versions of -As and -Bs, respectively) were deployed in 1991 for Operation Desert Storm, and flew more sorties than any other aircraft.

The F-16 burns 869 gallons of jet fuel per hour at routine usage. A full load of fuel (internal capacity only) costs $3,150. A full load of Vulcan 20mm ammo costs $1,226. Other ordnance varies by mission parameter.

F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 50/52

Subassemblies: Body +4, high-agility Wings +3, three small Wheels +0.

Powertrain: 28,964-lb. thrust Turbofan with Afterburner, 2,300-kWs advanced battery.

Fuel: 1,050 gallons jet fuel (fire 13) in light self-sealing tank [Body] (fire +0).

Occupancy: 1 NCS.

Cargo: 20,450 lbs. ordnance [Body and Wings:U].

Armor: 3/7 overall.

Equipment:

Body: Long-range radio with scrambler; night vision light amplification; autopilot; military GPS; IFF; inertial navigation system; terrain-following radar; thermograph (FLIR); HUDWAC; advanced radar detector, basic stealth, deceptive jammer; decoy (chaff) discharger (6 reloads); refueling probe, arrestor hook, improved brakes, 2,200-lb. hardpoint. Wings: two 4,500-lb., two 3,500-lb., two 700-lb. and two 425-lb. hardpoints.

Weaponry:

20mm autocannon/Vulcan M61A1 [Body:F] (511 rounds).

Weapons payload can include:

Mk 20 Rockeye cluster bombs

CBU-87 cluster bombs

Mk 83 500-lb. bombs

Mk 84 1,000-lb. bombs

AGM-65 Maverick missiles

GBU-10 and GBU-15 guided weapons

Statistics:

Size: 49'x32'x16' Payload: 2.99 tons Lwt.: 12.5 tons

Volume: 893 cf Maint.: 19 hours Price: $1,149,316

HT: 12. HPs: 1,509 Body, 450 Wings, 68 each Wheel.

aSpeed: 1,320 aAccel: 23 aDecel: 22 aMR: 5.5 aSR: 2

Stall speed 165. Take-Off run: 162 yards. Landing Run: 454 yards.

With afterburner: aSpeed 1,693, aAccel 38.

gSpeed: 847 gAccel: 42 gDecel: 15 gMR: 0.5 gSR: 2

Ground Pressure: Extremely High. No Off-Road speed.

Design Notes:

The Body is 768 cf with Heavy frame and Expensive materials. It has Superior streamlining. The Wings have a historical area of 300 sf; this translates to a volume of 125 cf. Wheels are 68 cf. Armor is Expensive metal. Design weight was 244 lbs. lighter than typical air-to-air combat deployment weight; the historical value is shown. Design aSpeed was 1,318 mph. Unit price is $18.8 million; design cost was used to calculate maintenance interval.

Variants:

The F-16A/B Block 1 was the initial production version. Upgraded to Block 10 in 1982. The -B carries 1,500-lbs. less fuel to accommodate the second crew position.

The F-16A/B Block 5 was a refined production version. Also upgraded to Block 10 in 1982.

The F-16A/B Block 10 featured an improved avionics package.

The F-16A/B Block 15 introduced an enlarged tailplane and two hardpoints on the chin of the engine intake.

The F-16A/B Block 20 was an upgrade for export to Taiwan giving Block 50 capabilities.

The F-16C/D (1984) expanded the plane's role for night fighting, precision strike and beyond visual range interception.

The F-16C/D Block 25 introduced the capability to carry AIM-120 AMRAAM and improved radar.

The F-16C/D Block 30/32 upgraded the engines.

The F-16C/D Block 40/42 "Night Falcon" added LANTIRN navigation and targeting pods.

The F-16C/D Block 50/52 introduced improved performance engines, radar upgrade, multi-function displays, mission computer, digital terrain system, color video camera and triple deck recorder.

The F-16CJ/DJ Block 50D/52D "Wild Weasel" is a specialized variant for carrying the AGM-88 HARM and AN/ASQ-213 HARM targeting system, as well as an electronic jamming pod.

The F-16C/D Block 60 (2004) has larger fuel tanks for greater range.

From the Aerodrome for GURPS