The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it was a success on the export market, serving 24 countries.The F-16 is the largest Western fighter program with over 4,000 aircraft built since production started in 1976. Though no longer produced for the US Air Force, it is still produced for export. The Fighting Falcon is a dogfighter with innovations including a frameless, bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while under high g-forces, and reclined seat to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot. It was also the first fighter aircraft to be deliberately built to sustain 9g turns. It is also one of the few jets with a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one, giving the Falcon excellent acceleration. Although the F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", it is known to its pilots as the "Viper", after the Battlestar Galactica starfighter. In 1993,General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation,which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.The Indian Ministry of Defense is looking to acquire up to 126 modern fighters to begin replacing its aging fleet of MiG-21s, and the Lockheed Martin F-16 is one of several competitors being offered; however, the Indian Air Force has not yet released the request for proposals for its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) competition , as it is still refining its requirements. In November 2006, the Pakistan Air Force signed a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for 18 new-built F-16C/D Block 52+, 26 F-16A/B Block 15 and 60 Mid-Life-Update M3 Tape modules/kits as part of a $5.1bn deal including fighter aircraft, their related infrastructure, training and ammunition. Deliveries of the F-16A/Bs are expected to begin in 2007, while the initial F-16C/Ds will likely be received sometime in late 2008 or early 2009. The current procurement program of new-built aircraft as well as refurbishment and upgrade of sixty used and serving aircraft is expected to be complete by 2010-2012, as per the Pakistan Air Force Chief - Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed. In April 2006, Janes Defence Weekly reported that the PAF may procure an additional 33 F-16C/D Block 52+ - these would likely include the 18 option Block 52+ from the current deal. In July 2007, Commander of Central Air Command Lieutenant General Gary L. North (US Air Force), and another US aviator flew a pair of F-16s to Pakistan for Pakistan Air Force. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) also expressed its interest in the F-16 but its plan to purchase modern multi-role fighter aircraft to replace its retired F-5A/B Freedom Fighters has been shelved due to economic reasons and having counter-insurgency operations as its main priority. In the mid-1990s, the PAF did not act on a US offer to sell 28 F-16A/B Block 15 OCU fighters, which were earlier embargoed from Pakistan. The Republic of China (Taiwan)'s Air Force, needing a next generation fighter to replace its fleet of F-16 A/B Block 20s, has expressed interest in the new F-35 Lightning II. However, due to political issues, it is unlikely the island nation will be able to acquire such an advanced fighter in the near future. As a result, the ROCAF has opted for up to 66 new F-16C/D Block50/52 as its interim replacement fighter.This has remained controversial in Taiwan with opposition from the Kuomintang and Beijing alike F-16C/D Block 30, 50 FIGHTING FALCON Description It is a single-seat, single-engine, multiple role fighter, designed for all weather operations and capable of carrying a great variety of weapon systems. Greece has in its air arsenal about 70 F-16s, BLOCK 30 and BLOCK 50. In 1989 Greece purchased 40 BLOCK 30 under the Arms Programme "Peace Xenia I" and in 1997 40 additional BLOCK 50 300 spartans hunting turks over aegean aircraft were delivered to Greece as part of "Peace Xenia II". The Hellenic F-16s BLOCK 30 and BLOCK 50 are based in the air base of Larissa (110 Combat Wing, 346 Squadron "Iason") and in the air base of New Anchialos (111 Combat Wing, 330 "Thunder", 341 "Arrow" and 347 "Perseas" Squadrons). All the Hellenic F-16s wear the "Aegean Ghost" camouflage, which is very efficient in Aegean operational environment. Specifications: * Crew: 1 (C model), 2 (D model) * Engine: General Electric F110-GE 100 afterburning turbofan (Block 30, 29,000 lbs thrust), General Electric F110-GE 129 (Block 50, 31,000 lbs thrust) * Wing Span: 9.45 m * Length: 14.52 m * Maximum Speed: 2,173 km/h * Service Ceiling: 15,240m or 49,000 ft... (more) (less)
Author: CaptenSPARTAN
Keywords: USAF HAF HUD Falcon Viper Pilot Flight
Added: March 12, 2008
