F16 aircraft, fighter: photos, technical characteristics, speed, analogue. F16 aircraft, fighter: photos, technical characteristics, speed, analogue F 16 aircraft technical characteristics

The latest best military aircraft of the Russian Air Force and the world photos, pictures, videos about the value of a fighter aircraft as weapon capable of ensuring “air supremacy” was recognized by the military circles of all states by the spring of 1916. This required the creation of a combat special aircraft, superior to all others in speed, maneuverability, altitude and the use of offensive small arms. In November 1915, Nieuport II Webe biplanes arrived at the front. This is the first aircraft built in France, which was intended for air combat.

The most modern domestic military aircraft in Russia and the world owe their appearance to the popularization and development of aviation in Russia, which was facilitated by the flights of Russian pilots M. Efimov, N. Popov, G. Alekhnovich, A. Shiukov, B. Rossiysky, S. Utochkin. The first domestic cars of designers J. Gakkel, I. Sikorsky, D. Grigorovich, V. Slesarev, I. Steglau began to appear. In 1913, the Russian Knight heavy aircraft made its first flight. But one cannot help but recall the first creator of the aircraft in the world - Captain 1st Rank Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaisky.

Soviet military aircraft of the USSR Great Patriotic War sought to hit enemy troops, his communications and other targets in the rear with air strikes, which led to the creation of bomber aircraft capable of carrying a large bomb load over considerable distances. The variety of combat missions to bomb enemy forces in the tactical and operational depth of the fronts led to the understanding of the fact that their implementation must be commensurate with the tactical and technical capabilities of a particular aircraft. Therefore, the design teams had to resolve the issue of specialization of bomber aircraft, which led to the emergence of several classes of these machines.

Types and classification, latest models military aircraft of Russia and the world. It was obvious that it would take time to create a specialized fighter aircraft, so the first step in this direction was an attempt to arm existing aircraft with small offensive weapons. Mobile machine gun mounts, which began to be equipped with aircraft, required excessive efforts from pilots, since controlling the machine in maneuverable combat and simultaneously firing from unstable weapons reduced the effectiveness of shooting. The use of a two-seater aircraft as a fighter, where one of the crew members served as a gunner, also created certain problems, because the increase in weight and drag of the machine led to a decrease in its flight qualities.

What types of planes are there? In our years, aviation has made a big qualitative leap, expressed in a significant increase in flight speed. This was facilitated by progress in the field of aerodynamics, the creation of new, more powerful engines, structural materials, and electronic equipment. computerization of calculation methods, etc. Supersonic speeds have become the main flight modes of fighter aircraft. However, the race for speed also had its own negative sides- the takeoff and landing characteristics and maneuverability of aircraft have sharply deteriorated. During these years, the level of aircraft construction reached such a level that it became possible to begin creating aircraft with variable sweep wings.

For Russian combat aircraft, in order to further increase the flight speeds of jet fighters exceeding the speed of sound, it was necessary to increase their power supply, increase the specific characteristics of turbojet engines, and also improve the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft. For this purpose, engines with an axial compressor were developed, which had smaller frontal dimensions, higher efficiency and better weight characteristics. To significantly increase thrust, and therefore flight speed, afterburners were introduced into the engine design. Improving the aerodynamic shapes of aircraft consisted of using wings and tail surfaces with large sweep angles (in the transition to thin delta wings), as well as supersonic air intakes.

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, literally - Attack Falcon

The F-16 is the most common combat aircraft in the world.

American multirole light fighter of the fourth generation. Designed in 1974 by General Dynamics. Put into operation in 1979.

In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to Lockheed Corporation (now Lockheed Martin).

The F-16, due to its versatility and relatively low cost, is the most popular fourth-generation fighter (over 4,540 aircraft were assembled as of June 2014) and is successful in the international arms market (it is in service with 25 countries). The last of the 2,231 F-16s for the US Air Force were delivered to the customer in 2005. The upgraded F-16 will be produced for export at least until mid-2017.

Development.

The prototype of the vehicle, designated YF-16 (No. 72-01567), first took off on January 21, 1974, when, while jogging around the airfield, the pilot was forced to take off to avoid an emergency. The first flight under the test program took place on February 2 of the same year. The F-16A appeared in 1975, followed by the two-seat F-16B in 1977.

F-16 modifications

-Block 1

First flight August 1978. Basic modification

-Block 5

197 aircraft produced

-Block 10

312 collected before 1980

-Block 15

November 1981. New tail unit installed. AN/APG-66 radar. AIM-7 missiles, the ability to carry 1000 pound bombs on underwing hardpoints has been introduced. The pilot's cabin is equipped with air conditioning. 983 produced in 14 years.

-Block 15OCU (Operational Capability Upgrade)

Modernization in 1987, a total of 217 aircraft were completed, the F100-PW-220 engine was installed, weapons: AGM-119 and AGM-65, AIM-120 AMRAAM. A radio altimeter has been installed. SIP AN/ALQ-131. Maximum weight 17,000 kg.

Modernization of 150 F-16OCU

June 19, 1984. Installed F100-PW-200E engines, AN/APG-68 radar, can operate in air-to-ground mode. The glass cabin principle has been implemented. Armament: AIM-120, AGM-65. Interference-proof HF station. Maximum weight 19640 kg. AN/ALQ-165 jammer.

1985-1989. 733 assembled. A new engine was installed, RPM was applied to the body to reduce the ESR. Weapon: AIM-120, added AGM-88

1989-1995, for Egypt production was resumed in 1999. 615 pieces collected. An APG-68V5 radar was installed, with a TBO of 100 hours. GPS navigation, ALE-47 traps, EDSU introduced. The maximum weight increased to 19,200 kg. Armaments AGM-88 HARM II were added in 1989, GBU-10, GBU-12, GBU-24, GBU-15, AIM-120

-Block 50/52

An engine with a thrust of 12.9 KN is installed. Produced from 1990 to the present. time. AN/APG-68V5 radar, on the latest versions V7 and V8, added AGM-84, AGM-154 missile, up to 4 AGM-88 missiles. More than 830 released.

-Block 52+

A V9 radar is installed, with mapping capabilities, and additional tanks are equipped on the fuselage.

An OLS was installed, as well as additional tanks, an AN/ASQ-28 container, a reduced ESR, a radar with an AN/APG-80 AFAR, an ALQ-165 SIP, an F110-GE-132 engine with a thrust of 19,000 pounds dry and 32,500 in afterburner. Empty weight 9900 kg, normal take-off weight 13 000 kg, maximum 20 700 kg 80 produced for the UAE.

-QF-16

In 2010, the US Air Force signed a contract with Boeing worth $69 million for the serial conversion of 126 F-16 fighters that have exhausted their service life into target aircraft. Unmanned QF-16s should replace the fleet of outdated and near-depletion QF-4 vehicles. On September 19, 2013, the first flight of the QF-16 took place.

Promising programs

Further development programs for the F-16 include CCV (Control Controlled Configuration Vehicles) and AFTI, an experimental vehicle with a triple digital flight control system and large ventral ridges. F-16XL tailless design, could have powerful weapons, longer range and better maneuverability compared to the original F-16.

The first flight of the new aircraft took place in July 1982, but flight tests under this program were curtailed in the late 1980s. at the initiative of the US Air Force, and two aircraft built were transferred to NASA for research purposes.

"Night Falcon" and the "Block 50" series

Since December 1988, the production of the “Block 40/42” “Night Falcon” series began, with containers for the LANTIRN low-altitude targeting and navigation system, the APG-68V radar, a digital flight control system and an automatic terrain following system. "Night Falcon" is capable of carrying the AGM-88B missile launcher. With the increase in the amount of equipment, the take-off weight of the aircraft increased, which entailed strengthening the landing gear. Since December 1991, the “block 50” and “block 52” series began to be produced. These vehicles have an APG-68 radar, a new HUD combined with a night vision system, a more powerful computer, as well as devices for dispersing dipoles and IR traps. These latest F-16 variants are equipped with the F110-GE-229 and F100-PW-220 engines.

Air defense interceptor fighter

Since October 1986, the US Air Force began modernizing 270 F-16A/B aircraft under the ADF program to convert aircraft into air defense interceptor fighters. These vehicles received an advanced radar capable of tracking small targets, and a launcher for AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, which can hit objects beyond visual visibility. F-16 air defense can carry 6 AIM-120, AIM-7 or AIM-9 air-to-air missiles.

F-16CJ and F-16DJ

The Block 50 F-16CJ was designed to replace the aging F-4G Wild Weasel V anti-radar aircraft that had been in service with the US Air Force for 20 years. Unlike past "Wild Weasels" (US Air Force units designed specifically to combat anti-aircraft missile systems), the F-16CJ is a single-seat aircraft - the computer takes over almost all the work of the co-pilot. There were also a few two-seat F-16DJ aircraft, but they are the exception to the rule.

With the new single-seat aircraft, the tactics of using Weasels also changed - the aircraft began to be used in pairs, while previous aircraft (F-100F, F-105G and F-4G) were operated in a group with simple fighter-bombers (usually the F-4G was used together with conventional F-4E or F-16C), which attacked ground targets after the F-4G was dealt with the radar.

F-16CJs carry AGM-88 HARM and/or AGM-45 Shrike missiles for radar destruction, as well as AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for defense against enemy fighters.

F-16V

The American company Lockheed Martin announced the creation of a new version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon - the F-16V. The V in the aircraft index stands for Viper. A new version The aircraft will be equipped with an active phased array radar, a new on-board computer and some improvements in the cockpit. According to the company, almost any F-16 fighter can be upgraded to the Viper version.

F-16I

The F-16I is a two-seat version of the Block 52 modification, created for a special order of the Israeli Air Force. In September 1997, Israel held a competition for the supply of new fighter jets. F-16I and F-15I take part in the competition. In July 1999, the F-16 declared victory. On January 14, 2000, an initial contract for 52 vehicles was awarded as part of the Peace Marble V program. On December 19, 2001, the contract was expanded to 102 aircraft. In the Israeli Air Force, the F-16I was designated Sufa (Thunderstorm). The first flight took place on December 23, 2003. On February 19, 2004, deliveries to combat units began. The approximate cost of each aircraft is $70 million (as of 2006).

One of the main differences between the F-16I and Block 52 is the replacement of approximately 50% of the on-board equipment with Israeli analogues: for example, anti-missile system The ALE-50 Towed Decoy System has been replaced by the Israeli Aerial Towed Decoy. The Autonomous Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation “Ehud” system was installed on the aircraft, allowing it to simulate real actions during training exercises. The aircraft also received a helmet-mounted guidance system, a head-up display (HUD), a new central on-board computer, and a display for displaying map information. The F-16I can carry Israeli air-to-air missiles with the Rafael Python thermal homing system. To increase the range, a removable conformal outboard fuel tank manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries is mounted on the aircraft. The basic American systems are the F100-PW-229 turbojet engine (compatible with the F-15I) and the APG-68(V)9 radar.

Operating countries

In service

Bahrain - 16 F-16C and 4 F-16D, as of 2012
-Belgium - 50 F-16AM and 10 F-16BM, as of 2012
-Columbia - 60 F-16C/D block 50
-Venezuela - 17 F-16A and 4 F-16B, as of 2012
-Greece - 115 F-16C and 41 F-16D, as of 2012
-Denmark - 43 F-16AM and 11 F-16BM, as of 2012
-Egypt - 156 F-16A/C and 47 F-16B/D, as of 2012
-Israel - 78 F-16A, 24 F-16B, 78 F-16C, 48 F-16D and 101 F-16I, as of 2012
-Indonesia - 7 F-16A, 3 F-16B and 24 F-16C, as of 2012. As part of the Peace Bima-Sena program, 12 F-16A/B Block 15OCUs (including eight F-16A and four F-16B) were sold to Indonesia in 1989-1990. During operation, two aircraft were lost in flight accidents (in 1992 and 1997).

-Jordan - 3 F-16A/B and 39 F-16AM/BM, as of 2013. In February 2014, 12 F-16A Block 15 fighters and one F-16B Block 15 were delivered to Pakistan.
-Netherlands - 79 F-16AM and 11 F-16BM, as of 2012
-Norway - 47 F-16AM and 10 F-16BM, as of 2012
-UAE - 53 F-16E and 25 F-16F, as of 2012
-Oman - 8 F-16C and 4 F-16D, as of 2012
-Pakistan - 24 F-16A, 21 F-16B, 12 F-16C Block 52 and 6 F-16D Block 52, as of 2013. In February 2014, 12 F-16A Block 15 and one F-16B Block 15 fighters were purchased from Jordan; the aircraft entered service with the Pakistani Air Force in March 2014. 18 F-16 fighters upgraded to the Block 52 version were sold in 2010-2012.
-Poland - 48 F-16C "block-52M", as of 2011

-Portugal - 28 F-16AM and 6 F-16BM, as of 2012 the Portuguese Air Force received a total of 45 aircraft (including 38 F-16A and 7 F-16B). Two batches were acquired: 20 F-16A/B Block 15OCUs were delivered as part of the Peace Atlantis I program in 1994, and 25 F-16A/B Block 15s, previously in service with the US Air Force, were delivered as part of the Peace Atlantis II program in 1999 ( Of these, five cars were intended for disassembly for spare parts). The aircraft, purchased in 1999, are gradually being upgraded to the MLU standard. The first modernized aircraft entered service with the 301st Squadron in 2003. During operation, two aircraft were lost in flight accidents (in 2002 and 2008). F-16s are in service with two squadrons based at the Monte Real airbase - the 201st Falcoes and the 301st Jaguars.
-Republic of Korea - 118 F-16C and 47 F-16D, as of 2012. Produced under license.
-Singapore - 32 F-16C and 43 F-16D, as of 2012

-Iraq - Iraq ordered 36 planes from the US at a cost of $65 million, but initial deliveries in 2014 were delayed by security concerns after ISIS militants overran large parts of Iraq. As a result, the delivery of the first four fighters from the United States to Baghdad was carried out in July 2015.
-Thailand - 43 F-16A/ADF and 15 F-16B, as of 2012
-Taiwan - 117 F-16A and 28 F-16B, as of 2012
-Turkey - 195 F-16C and 42 F-16D, as of 2012. Produced under license. On May 23, 2011, the Turkish Air Force received the first locally assembled F-16 Block-50. Until December 2012, the Turkish company Turkish Aerospace Industries will build 50 F-16 “block-50”.
-Chile - 31 F-16A/C and 11 F-16B/D, as of 2012
-Morocco - 18 F-16C "block-52" and 6 F-16D "block-52", as of August 2012. The Moroccan Air Force F-16s are equipped with Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 EEP (Engine Enhancement Package) engines and AN/APG-68(V)9 radar. In 2007, the Moroccan Air Force ordered 24 F-16C/D "block-52" for total amount$2.4 billion

-USA:
-USAF - 1018 F-16C/D, as of 2012
-US Navy - 14 F-16A/B, as of 2012
-BBC National Guard USA - 209 F-16C/D

Was in service

TTX

Specifications

Crew: 1 pilot
-Length: 15.03 m
-Wingspan: 9.45 m; with wingtip rockets: 10.0 m
-Height: 5.09 m
-Wing area: 27.87 m2
-Wing profile: NACA 64A-204
-Wing aspect ratio: 3.2
-Sweep along the leading edge: 40 degrees.
- Chassis base: 4.0 m
-Chassis track: 2.36 m
-Empty mass:
-with F100 engine: 8,910 / 9,358 kg (without/with conformal tanks (English)Russian)
-with F110 engine: 9,017 / 9,466 kg (without/with conformal tanks)
-Normal take-off weight: (with two air-to-air missiles, without PTB)
-with F100 engine: 12,723 / 14,548 kg (without/with conformal tanks)
-with F110 engine: 12,852 / 14,661 kg (without/with conformal tanks)
-Maximum take-off weight: 21,772 kg
-Weight of external load: (with full filling of internal tanks)
-with F100 engine: 8,855 / 9,635 kg (without/with conformal tanks)
-with F110 engine: 8,742 / 9,190 kg (without/with conformal tanks)
-Fuel mass in internal tanks: 3,228 kg
-Fuel tank volume: 3,986 l
- Hanging fuel tanks: 1 x 1,136 l or 2 x 1,402 l
-Conformal tanks: 1,703 l
-Powerplant: 1 x General Electric F110 turbofan engine (Block 50)
-Afterburner thrust: 1 x n/a
-Afterburner thrust: 1 x 13100.6 kgf
-Powerplant: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan engine (Block 52)
-Non-afterburning thrust: 1 x 7900.2 kgf
-Afterburner thrust: 1 x 12900.4 kgf

Flight characteristics

Maximum speed: corresponds to M=2.0 at an altitude of 12,200 m
-Combat Radius: (Block 50)
-with conformal tanks, 3,940 liters in PTB, 2x907 kg bombs, profile large-small-small-high altitude: 1,361 km
-with conformal tanks, 5,542 liters in PTB, 2x907 kg bombs, profile large-small-small-high altitude: 1,565 km
-without conformal tanks, 3,940 l in PTB, 2xAIM-120, 2?AIM-9, air patrol: 1,759 km
-Ferry Range: (Block 50)
-with conformal tanks, 3,940 l in PTB: 3,981 km
-without conformal tanks, 5,542 l in PTB: 4,472 km
-Practical ceiling: 15,240 m
-Rate of climb: approx. 275 m/s
-Wing load: 781.2 kg/m2 (at maximum take-off weight)
-Thrust-to-weight ratio: 1.03 (without suspensions and conformal tanks)
-Maximum operational overload: +9 g

Armament

Small arms: 1 x 20 mm six-barreled gun M61A1 (ammunition - 511 rounds)
-Hangment points: 9
-Combat load: (at +5.5 g)
-under the fuselage: 1,000 kg
-internal: 2 x 2,041 kg
-central: 2 x 1,587 kg
-external: 2 x 318 kg
-at the tips: 2 x 193 kg
-additional points for hanging equipment on the sides of the air intake: 2 x 408 kg
-Guided missiles:
-air-to-air missiles: AIM-7, 6xAIM-9, 6xAIM-120, AIM-132, Python 3, Python 4, Derby, Sky Flash, Magic 2
-air-to-surface missiles: 6xAGM-65A/B/D/G, AGM-45, 2xAGM-84, 4xAGM-88, AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-158 JASSM, Penguin Mk.3
-Bombs:
-adjustable: 4xGBU-10, 6xGBU-12, GBU-15, GBU-22, GBU-24, GBU-27, 4xGBU-31 JDAM
-adjustable cassette (with WCMD): CBU-103, CBU-104, CBU-105,
-free-falling: Mark 82, 8хMark 83, Mark 84
-Gun containers: 1 x GPU-5/A with 30mm cannon
-BRLS (airborne radar station):
-AN/APG-66
-AN/APG-68 (aviation radar with a range of about 160 miles (250 km))
-AN/APG-80

"F-16 Fighting Falcon" - multi-role fighter. Forms the backbone of the US Air Force and many of the 19 countries that purchase it. The most common of foreign fourth-generation jet fighters.

Development of pre-production aircraft began in 1974. From mid-1975 to 1978, the first 15 aircraft were produced. From the end of 1976 to mid-1978, all flight tests were carried out, and in 1978, deliveries of F-16 aircraft to the US Air Force began.

The F-16 is a mid-wing monoplane with an engine in the rear fuselage. The smooth articulation of the wing and fuselage allows the fuselage to generate additional lift at high angles of attack. The structure is 78.3% made of aluminum alloys, 4.2% are titanium alloys, 4.2% are carbon fiber and 3.7% are steel.

The fuselage is semi-monocoque and all-metal. The cabin is equipped with a regenerative air conditioning and pressurization system. The McDonnell-Douglas ACESII ejection seat ensures ejection of the aircraft while parked and in flight at a speed of 1,100 km/h at altitudes of up to 15,000 meters.

In the second half of the 1980s, F-16C/D aircraft were equipped with means of reducing visibility (the cockpit canopy was metalized with inside, radio-absorbing materials are used in the air intake area).

There are several modifications of the fighter:

The F-16A is a single-seat multi-role fighter primarily for daylight operations. The first production version of the F-16. Production completed in March 1985. Issued only for foreign customers.

F -16B - two-seat combat training version of the F -16A. Production for the US Air Force ceased in 1985.

The F-16C is a single-seat advanced multi-role fighter. Supplied to the US Air Force since July 1984.

F-16D is a two-seat combat trainer version of the F-16C. Supplied to the US Air Force since September 1984.

The F-16ADF is an air defense fighter for the US Air National Guard. 279 previously built F-16A and F-16B were modified into this version in 1989-1992.

RF -16C (F -16R) - reconnaissance version.

The F‑16 fighter has the following Main characteristics:

Wing span - 9.45 m

Aircraft length - 15.03 m

Aircraft height - 5.09 m

Wing area - 27.87 square meters

Empty weight of the aircraft in kilograms:

1. F-16A - 7365
2. F -16V - 7655
3. F -16C - 8275
4. F-16D‑8855

Fuel mass in kilograms:

1. F -16A/C - 3105

2. F-16B/D - 2565

Take-off weight (calculated with full fuel) in kilograms:
F-16A, F-16C/D - 11839.

Take-off weight (maximum with external load) in kilograms:
F-16A, F-16C - 19190.

Landing speed - 226 km/h.
Practical ceiling - 15240 m.
Practical range - 1315 km, ferry range - 3890 km.

Crew.

……………………………… 1 person

Multirole fighter F-16.Tactical specifications.

Speed, km/h

maximum at an altitude of about 10 km……. 2 170

maximum at an altitude of up to 3 km……….. 1,470

Practical ceiling

M……………….. 15 240

Range, km
distillation……………………….. 3 890
actions……………………………550-925
Weight, kg
maximum takeoff……………….. 19 185
empty plane……………………. 8 625
Maximum combat load, kg……….. 5 420

Airplane dimensions

M
wingspan……………………… 9.45
length…………………………….. 14.52
height…………………………….. 5.01
Engines:
TRDDF F-100-PW-229
or F-110-GE-129, kgf……………… 13 155

Designed for gaining air superiority, striking ground targets and reconnaissance.
Work on the creation of the aircraft has been carried out since the late 1960s. to 1975. The F-16 aircraft became the object of the so-called contract of the century, winning the competition with the Mirage, F-1E and Wiggen aircraft. Several NATO member states have selected the F-16 as a successor to the F-104G.

The F-16 is a classic monoplane with a mid-wing and an engine in the rear fuselage. It has an integral aerodynamic layout, characterized by a smooth coupling of the fuselage and a trapezoidal wing with a relatively small sweep along the leading edge. The smooth articulation of the wing and fuselage allowed the fuselage to create additional lift at low angles of attack, reduce wettability of the aircraft surface and increase the volume of internal fuel tanks.
This design made it possible to obtain high performance characteristics in the range of 0.6-1.2 M and at altitudes up to 7000 m. In terms of rate of climb and acceleration characteristics, the F-16 is superior to other aircraft of this class and has a 1.5-2 times smaller turning radius . Training battles of the F-16 with the T-38, F-100, F-104 and F-105 aircraft showed its superiority, and with the F-15 - similar characteristics.

Several modifications of the F-16 aircraft have been created:

F-16A - single-seat multi-role tactical fighter

for actions during daylight hours;
F-16B is a two-seat combat trainer version of the F-16A;
The F-16C is a single-seat advanced multi-role fighter;
F-16D is a two-seat combat trainer version of the F-16C;
F-16N and TF-16N are single- and double-seat variants of mock enemy aircraft, built for the US Navy Top Gun fighter pilot school;
F-16ADF - air defense aircraft for the US Air National Guard;
The RF-16C (F-16R) is a reconnaissance aircraft designed to replace the RF-4C aircraft.
Based on the F-16, the FS-X(SX-3) fighter-bomber was created in Japan in 1987.

The equipment includes: Westinghouse APG-68 Doppler radar, 2 containers with ALQ-131 electronic radar system equipment, wide-angle HUD. The F-16 aircraft is the first of the foreign fighters with a permanent EMDS (the presence of EMDS is one of the main signs of belonging to the fourth generation of aircraft), both analog (F-16A) and digital (F-16C).
The armament consists of one six-barrel M61-A-1 cannon (caliber 20 mm, rate of fire 6000 rounds per minute, ammunition capacity 511 rounds), 2 AIM-9J/L Sidewinder missiles or AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, Mk.82 bombs , Mk.83, Mk.84. The number of hardpoints is 9. It is assumed that the AIM-120 missile launcher will be installed. The maximum estimated combat load weight is 5420 kg.
The aircraft was first used in combat on June 7, 1981, when 8 Israeli Air Force F-16s raided an Iraqi research center in Osirak (near Baghdad). F-16 aircraft were used in combat operations in the early 1980s.
against Libya, during the war in Afghanistan (from the Pakistani side), the conflict in the Persian Gulf. The most common fourth-generation fighter jet forms the backbone of the air forces of many of the 19 countries that purchase it.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon managed to become the most common fourth-generation aircraft. Achieving this result was facilitated by performance characteristics and affordable price. For a number of countries, aircraft were supplied under leasing schemes.

As of the summer of 2016, total aircraft deliveries amounted to at least 4,570 aircraft. And given that production continues, the number of F-16 fighters built may exceed 5 thousand copies. At the same time, the car is one of the leaders in accident rates. So what kind of car is this?

Development history

The development of a new light fighter project for the US Air Force began as part of competitive program, announced at the very beginning of 1972. Five leading aircraft manufacturing corporations responded to the proposal, with Northrop presenting two versions of the aircraft at once. Review of the draft designs took a month, and the finalists, General Dynamics and Northrop, were announced in March. The Air Force leadership entered into contracts with companies to build prototypes of the YF-16 and YF-17 vehicles.

At the same time, the requirements of naval aviation saw the light of day, which required a multi-role carrier-based attack aircraft (with the possibility of being used as a fighter) and a carrier-based interceptor. By a strange coincidence, the competitors in these projects turned out to be the same companies General Dynamics and Northrop. In order to reduce costs and speed up development, the idea of ​​​​unifying the designs of ground and deck vehicles was born.

The Air Force command approved the use of developments on deck vehicles only in the fall of 1972, and the technical projects were ready by the end of the year.

Design work and construction of aircraft prototypes took several years, during which army aviation gave preference to the development of General Dynamics. The first prototype of the future F-16 fighter flew around the airfield in January 1974. Moreover, during the run arose emergency situation, and the pilot was forced to take off on new car.

Serial release The F-16A began in 1975, with the F-16B crew-cabin variant introduced two years later. Since 1993, Fighting Falcons have been supplied under the Lockheed brand, which became the owner of General Dynamics. Production took place not only in the USA, but also in Europe and Turkey. To assemble the aircraft in Europe, an international consortium was created, which included suppliers from member countries of the NATO alliance.

Construction and armament

The F-16 fighter is built according to a standard aerodynamic design with a mid-plane wing on the fuselage. The horizontal tail of the aircraft is fully rotatable. The structure uses aluminum and titanium alloys, as well as steel and carbon fiber parts.

In order to reduce visibility for radar stations, special coatings are applied to the inside of the fuselage panels. A coating similar in purpose is applied to the canopy of the pilot, who sits in the ejection seat.

In front of the pilot is an indicator that displays flight data and provides aiming. The onboard radar provides target detection at a distance of 37 km in the lower hemisphere. An automatic computer is installed on board, analyzing the air situation.

The trapezoidal wing of the American F-16 fighter is connected to the fuselage with a smooth transition, which improved the aerodynamics of the aircraft and increased the lift of the wing at certain angles of attack.

At the same time, it was possible to increase the capacity of the internal fuel tanks located in the wing and fuselage of the vehicle.

The wing edge mechanization is automatic, depending on the flight speed. To increase the flight range, refueling in the air is possible; the fuel receiver is installed on the fuselage behind the cockpit. It is allowed to install external fuel tanks with a volume of up to 5542 liters.

Almost all F-16 aircraft built are equipped with a Pratt-Whitney F100 turbojet engine of various modifications. The turbine is located in the rear fuselage and has an afterburner.

Depending on the modification, the installation provides take-off thrust from 10,800 to 13,200 kg. The engine air intake is located in a separate duct under the fighter's cockpit. The chassis has three supports, which are retracted into special niches.

Small arms on the F-16 aircraft it is represented by a 20-mm revolver mounted on the side of the hull in the wing fairing. A block of six barrels is untwisted by a hydraulic drive. The ammunition load consists of 511 shells, which is enough for several short bursts. External installation of a 30-mm cannon housed in a GPU-5/A container is possible.

There are nine hardpoints inside the F-16, as well as on its outer surface and under the wings:

• central, designed for weapons weighing up to 1000 kg;
• internal compartment, has two points for hanging weapons weighing 2041 kg;
• two central wing points designed for a load of 1587 kg;
• two external points on the wing, designed to install weapons weighing 318 kg;
• at the wingtips it is possible to suspend two weapons weighing 193 kg each.

The fighter's suspended weapons include air-to-air missiles (models AIM-7/9/120/132, Python 3/4, Magic 2 and others). It is possible to install air-to-ground missiles of several modifications. In total it is possible to hang up to six missiles. The F-16's bomb armament may consist of Mark 82/83/84 free-fall bombs.

It is possible to use adjustable ammunition GBU-10/12/15/22/27/31. The use of CBU-103/104/105 cluster bombs is acceptable.

F-16 modifications and operating countries

The F-16A/B vehicles were produced in several modifications (the so-called Block). The difference between version B is the two-seat cabin, thanks to which the aircraft is used for pilot training. The very first were Block 5 and 10, built before 1980.

Starting with Block 15, cockpit air conditioning began to be used, and the capabilities of hardpoints expanded. As new weapons and components were introduced, new batches of vehicles were produced and those already built were modernized. Currently, old vehicles are gradually being converted into unmanned targets under the designation QF-16.

Starting with Block 25, an improved version of the F-16C/D aircraft, equipped with a new airborne radar station and upgraded flight equipment. Index D is assigned to the two-seat combat training version. Block 30 used a General Electric F110 turbojet engine.

At the end of 1988, a variant of the Block 40/42 fighter appeared, designed for operations at night. The aircraft was equipped with a LANTIRN radar and a system for projecting information onto the windshield of the cockpit canopy. The latest F-16 variant, Block 50/52, has been under construction since 1990.

Due to the increased traction, it was possible to improve the acceleration and maneuverability of the vehicle. Based on this version, the Block 50D/52D modification was created, designed to combat enemy radars. Based on Block 52, a two-seat version of the F-16I aircraft was developed, supplied to the Israeli Air Force.

In 1977, the administration of President Jimmy Carter came up with the idea of ​​banning the export of vehicles similar to those used in the United States. For this purpose, a “stripped-down” version of the F-16/79 FX Export Fighter was developed, equipped with a power plant similar to the F-104/F-4 fighter.

The new turbojet engine had a stressful thermal operating mode, so the fuselage structure was reinforced with heat-resistant inserts, increasing the weight by 900 kg. The use of a simplified engine made it possible to reduce the cost of aircraft by 11%.

A prototype was built, but the project was not developed due to the arrival of the new presidential administration.

The vehicle is in service not only with the US Air Force, although it is America that has greatest number combat F-16s. In 2012, there were more than 1,200 cars of various versions on the lists. Türkiye is a major operator, having purchased a license to produce fighter jets. Various modifications F-16 aircraft are included in the armed forces of a number of European countries, South America, Arab states. In Italy, the cars were used under a leasing program.

Characteristics of the F-16 in comparison with other vehicles

Comparison of parameters American plane and shows that in a number of parameters, a domestic car is not inferior to foreign technology. This was confirmed during air battles over Afghanistan.

The advantage of the F-16 is its large engine thrust, providing a thrust-to-weight ratio of 1.13 kgf/kg. Thanks to this, the aircraft accelerates quickly and has good maneuverability.

Same Russian fighter The MiG-29, having two engines, has a thrust-to-weight ratio of no more than 1.09 kgf/kg.

Combat use

The first F-16s to go into battle were the Israeli Air Force. This happened in the spring of 1981, when missiles shot down two Syrian helicopters that were providing supplies to the forces of the Palestine Liberation Organization in southern Lebanon. The next operation was a raid on nuclear facilities in Iraq.

F-16A aircraft dropped free-fall bombs weighing 450 kg each, while under the cover of F-15A fighters. Weakness air defense Iraq did not allow the Israeli vehicles to be detected, so they did not suffer any losses.

In the summer of 1981, an Israeli F-16 aircraft engaged in a dogfight, which became the first combat engagement for a fighter. The victim was a MiG-21 from the Syrian Air Force. Large-scale battles between Israeli and Syrian pilots broke out a year later - in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.

The first loss of the F-16A fighter dates back to this time, which was destroyed by an R-23R air-to-air missile launched from a MiG-23MF.

Next arena combat use began the conflict between Venezuela and Colombia in 1987. By this time, the Venezuelan armed forces had several dozen F-16A and B vehicles. It did not come to real military clashes.

Venezuelan vehicles later took part in countering the 1992 rebellion. In 2013 and 2015, there were cases of the use of aircraft against light aircraft of drug cartels used to export drugs.

IN recent months In 1985, F-16A aircraft entered service with the Pakistan Air Force. The vehicles were based at airfields along the Afghan border. Pakistani planes regularly launched missiles at Soviet and Afghan vehicles while on their territory. Return fire was not allowed.

Such tactics led to the loss of several Su-22 and An-26. In the spring of 1987, one of the Pakistani F-16As was shot down during an air battle with a MiG-23MLD. Clashes with Pakistani Air Force aircraft continued until the withdrawal Soviet troops from the territory of Afghanistan. It was the F-16A that shot down the Su-25 attack aircraft piloted by A. Rutskoy at the end of the summer of 1988.

Pakistani fighters later took part in the conflict with India. Official information no for losses. Starting in 2001, NATO F-16s began to be used over Afghanistan, used in the fight against terrorist organizations.

The F-16A and C fighters were used by the United States in the 1991 Gulf War. The vehicles were used to attack ground targets. Due to opposition from the Iraqi army, the bombing was carried out from high altitudes, which reduced the effectiveness of the strikes. Officially, six vehicles were lost, but unofficial data suggests that losses were 3-4 times higher.

Aircraft were used in Iraq after the war to control restricted areas. The vehicles later took part in the coalition forces' invasion of Iraq. From 2003 to 2008, five aircraft were lost in Iraq.

Later, F-16 fighters from the NATO Air Force were used in the Balkans. Adjustable aerial bombs began to be used there, increasing the accuracy of strikes. In 1999, graphite-filled bombs were added to the arsenal, designed to destroy power lines and power plants. During the battles in 1994-95 and 1999, several F-16 aircraft were shot down.

Turkish aircraft took part in battles against the Kurds and were also used in the conflict with Greece. Moreover, they were opposed by the same vehicles of the Greek Air Force. In total, the warring parties lost three aircraft each.

It was one of the F-16 fighters of the Turkish Air Force that shot down a Russian Su-24M bomber in late autumn 2015.

Turkish F-16s took part in the 2016 uprising.

In 2001, Israeli aircraft again took part in hostilities. The strikes were carried out against the Palestinian Authority as part of the fight against terrorist cells.

In 2003, there was a raid on an Islamic Jihad militant camp located in Syria. IN last years F-16 vehicles were used for attacks on the Gaza Strip (in 2016 and 2017) and Syria. During the attack in February 2018, one of the Israeli F-16I fighters was shot down.

conclusions

More than 40 years have passed since the first flight of the F-16 aircraft, but the development potential inherent in the design has allowed the fighter to remain in demand today. Despite the creation of fifth-generation vehicles (the same F-22), the old vehicle remains in service with the United States and many countries.

One of the reasons is the low cost - three times less than the latest machines.

In addition, lower operating costs and the availability of trained personnel cannot be discounted.

One of the areas for further modernization of the aircraft fleet is upgrading to the F-16V (Viper) standard. New option The fighter is equipped with an active phased array radar, improved computer and flight equipment. In any case, it will be another year before the last Attack Falcon is removed from service.

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