General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

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

American multifunctional light fighter of the fourth generation. Designed in 1974 by General Dynamics. Transferred to service 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 massive fourth-generation fighter (as of June 2014, over 4,540 aircraft were assembled) and is a success on the international arms market (it is in service with 25 countries). The last of 2231 F-16s for the US Air Force were handed over to the customer in 2005. The upgraded F-16 will be exported until at least mid-2017.

Development.

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

F-16 modifications

-Block 1

First flight August 1978. Basic modification

-Block 5

197 aircraft produced

-Block 10

312 built before 1980

-Block 15

November 1981. New tail assembly installed. Radar AN / APG-66. AIM-7 missiles, introduced the ability to carry 1000 pound bombs on underwing hardpoints. The cockpit is equipped with air conditioning. Issued 983 in 14 years.

-Block 15OCU (Operational Capability Upgrade)

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

Modernization of 150 F-16OCU

June 19, 1984 Installed engines F100-PW-200E, radar AN / APG-68, can operate in air-to-ground mode. Implemented the principle of a glass cabin. Armament: AIM-120, AGM-65. Interference-proof HF station. Maximum weight 19640 kg. AN/ALQ-165 Jammer Station.

1985-1989 year. Collected 733. A new engine was installed, RPM was applied to the hull to reduce the RCS. Armament: AIM-120, added AGM-88

1989-1995, for Egypt, production resumed in 1999. Collected 615 pieces. Installed radar APG-68V5, overhaul life 100 hours. GPS navigation, ALE-47 traps, EDSU introduced. The maximum weight has increased to 19200 kg. Armament 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 was installed. Produced from 1990 to present. time. Radar AN / APG-68V5, on the latest versions of V7 and V8, added missile AGM-84, AGM-154, up to 4 missiles AGM-88. Over 830 issued.

-Block 52+

A V9 radar was installed, with the possibility of mapping, additional tanks were equipped on the fuselage.

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

-QF-16

In 2010, the US Air Force signed a $69 million contract with Boeing to serially convert 126 end-of-life F-16 fighters into target aircraft. Unmanned QF-16s should replace the fleet of obsolete and close to exhaustion QF-4 vehicles. On September 19, 2013, the first flight of the QF-16 took place.

Promising programs

Further improvement programs for the F-16 include CCV (Controlled Configuration Aircraft) and AFTI, an experimental machine with a triple digital flight control system and large ventral fins. The tailless F-16XL could have powerful armament, longer range, and better maneuverability than 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. on the initiative of the US Air Force, and two built aircraft 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 sighting and navigation system, APG-68V radar, a digital flight control system and an automatic terrain following system. The Night Falcon is capable of carrying the AGM-88B. With an increase in the amount of equipment, the take-off weight of the aircraft increased, which led to the strengthening of the landing gear. Since December 1991, the "block 50" and "block 52" series began to be produced. These machines have an APG-68 radar, a new HUD combined with a night vision system, a more powerful computer, as well as dipole and IR trap spreaders. These latest F-16 variants are powered by the F110-GE-229 and F100-PW-220 engines.

Air defense interceptor fighter

Since October 1986, the US Air Force began to modernize 270 F-16A / B machines under the ADF program to convert aircraft into air defense fighter-interceptors. These machines 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 F-16CJ in the Block 50 modification was designed to replace the outdated 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 deal with 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 an exception to the rule.

With the new single-seat aircraft, the tactics of using Lasok also changed - aircraft began to be used in pairs, while past 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 finished off the radar.

F-16CJs carry AGM-88 HARM and/or AGM-45 Shrike missiles to destroy radar, and AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM to defend against enemy fighters.

F-16V

The American company Lockheed Martin has announced the creation of a new version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon - F-16V. The V in the aircraft index stands for Viper, "viper". The new version of 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 by special order from the Israeli Air Force. In September 1997, Israel arranges a competition for the supply of new fighters. The F-16I and F-15I take part in the competition. In July 1999, the victory of the F-16 is announced. On January 14, 2000, as part of the Peace Marble V program, an initial contract for 52 cars was signed. On December 19, 2001, the contract was extended to 102 aircraft. The Israeli Air Force F-16I received the designation 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 (for 2006).

One of the main differences between the F-16I and the Block 52 is the replacement of approximately 50% of the onboard equipment with Israeli counterparts: for example, the ALE-50 Towed Decoy Anti-missile system was replaced by the Israeli Aerial Towed Decoy. The Autonomous Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation "Ehud" system was installed on the aircraft, which allows simulating 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 cartographic information. The F-16I can carry Israeli Rafael Python air-to-air missiles. To increase the range, a removable conformal external fuel tank manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries is mounted on the aircraft. The basic American systems are the F100-PW-229 turbofan engine (compatible with the F-15I) and the APG-68(V)9 radar.

Operating countries

Is in service

Bahrain - 16 F-16Cs and 4 F-16Ds, as of 2012
-Belgium - 50 F-16AM and 10 F-16BM, as of 2012
-Colombia - 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-16As and four F-16Bs) were sold to Indonesia in 1989-1990. During operation, two cars 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 fighter 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 fighters and one F-16B Block 15 fighter were purchased from Jordan, the aircraft entered service with the Pakistan 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 were delivered in 1999 as part of the Peace Atlantis II program, which were previously in service with the US Air Force (of which five machines were intended for disassembly for spare parts). Aircraft purchased in 1999 are gradually being upgraded to the MLU standard. The first modernized aircraft entered the 301 squadron in 2003. During the operation, two cars were lost in flight accidents (in 2002 and 2008). The F-16s are in service with two squadrons based at the Monte Real airbase - the 201st Falcoes and the 301st Jaguares.
- Republic of Korea - 118 F-16Cs and 47 F-16Ds, as of 2012. Produced under license.
- Singapore - 32 F-16C and 43 F-16D, as of 2012

-Iraq - Iraq ordered 36 aircraft worth $65 million from the US, but initial deliveries in 2014 were delayed for security reasons after ISIS fighters took over large swaths 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 F-16 "block-50" of local assembly. 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. Moroccan Air Force F-16s are equipped with Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 EEP (Engine Enhancement Package) engines and AN/APG-68(V)9 radars. In 2007, the Moroccan Air Force ordered 24 F-16C / D "block-52" for a total of $ 2.4 billion.

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

Was in service

performance characteristics

Specifications

Crew: 1 pilot
- Length: 15.03 m
- Wingspan: 9.45 m; with missiles at the ends of the wing: 10.0 m
- Height: 5.09 m
- Wing area: 27.87 m2
- Wing profile: NACA 64A-204
- Wing aspect ratio: 3.2
-Sweep on the leading edge: 40 degrees.
- Chassis base: 4.0m
- Chassis track: 2.36 m
-Empty weight:
- 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 takeoff 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 takeoff weight: 21,772 kg
- Mass 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)
-Mass of fuel in internal tanks: 3228 kg
-Volume of fuel tanks: 3986 l
-Suspended fuel tanks: 1 x 1,136 l or 2 x 1,402 l
- Conformal tanks: 1,703 l
-Power plant: 1 x turbofan General Electric F110 (Block 50)
-Besforsazhnaya traction: 1 x n / a
- Afterburner thrust: 1 x 13100.6 kgf
-Powerplant: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan (Block 52)
-Besforsazhnaya 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 l in PTB, 2x907 kg of bombs, along the profile large-small-small-high: 1,361 km
- with conformal tanks, 5,542 l in PTB, 2x907 kg of bombs, along the profile large-small-small-high: 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
- Climb: approx. 275 m/s
- Wing load: 781.2 kg/m2 (at maximum takeoff weight)
-Thrust-to-weight ratio: 1.03 (without hangers and conformal tanks)
-Maximum operating overload: +9 g

Armament

Cannon: 1 x 20-mm six-barreled gun M61A1 (ammunition - 511 rounds)
- Suspension points: 9
- Combat load: (at +5.5 g)
-under the fuselage: 1,000 kg
- internal: 2 x 2041 kg
- central: 2 x 1 587 kg
- external: 2 x 318 kg
- at the ends: 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 cassettes (with WCMD): CBU-103, CBU-104, CBU-105,
- free-falling: Mark 82, 8xMark 83, Mark 84
- Gun pods: 1 x GPU-5/A with 30mm gun
-BRLS (airborne radar station):
-AN/APG-66
-AN / APG-68 (aviation radar with a range of about 160 miles (250 km))
-AN/APG-80

Airborne tactical fighter F-16

Major A. Bobkov

The F-16C and D aircraft are currently the main tactical fighters of the US Air Force, so the American command pays great attention to increasing their combat effectiveness by equipping them with modern on-board electronic equipment (avionics).

The main performance characteristics of the aircraft F-16C
Maximum flight speed, km/h	2 100
Practical ceiling, m	18 000
Range, km	1500
Weight, t: maximum takeoff	19,0
maximum combat load	5,0
Geometric dimensions, m: fuselage length	15,0
wingspan	9,5
height (by keel)	5,1
TTX radar AN / APG-68 (V) 9
Operating frequency range, GHz	9,7-9,9
Maximum range detection, km: air targets	280
surface targets	150
View area, hail: in azimuth	±60
by elevation	±60
MTBF, h	over 150
Station weight, kg	172
Antenna dimensions, m	0.5 x 0.75
TTX interrogator AN / APX-111 (-113)
Carrier frequency, MHz: request signals	1 030
response signals	1 090
Range, km	185
View area, hail: in azimuth	±70 (±60)
by elevation	± 60
Resolution: by range, m	152
in azimuth, deg	±2
Number of identifiable targets in 4° sector	32
TTX of the Sniper XR system
Dimensions of the matrix of sensitive elements of the IR camera	640 x480
Angle of view of the IR camera, degrees: narrow	0.5x0.5
average	1x1
wide	4x4
Viewing angle in the azimuthal plane, deg	from 55 to 135
MTBF, h	662
Container dimensions, m: length	2,3
diameter	0,3
Weight, kg	181

Currently, seven modifications of the AN / APG-68 (V) pulse-Doppler radar have been developed - 1,2,3,5,7,8 and 9, with which, by the end of 2005, about 2,500 F-16C and D aircraft were equipped in 12 countries (see table). In addition, in 2003, the developer of the AN / APG-68 station, Northrop-Grumman, tested a new radar model - AN / APG-80, equipped with AFAR.
The AN / APG-68 (V) radar of a modular design includes four replaceable modules: a programmable signal processing device, a dual-mode radio transmitter, a frequency modulator, a phased array with mechanical scanning in two planes.
The programmable signal processing device includes a matrix processor that performs the function of digital processing
signal processing, and radar control computer. The main differences of the new signal processor from the previous one are data processing speed increased by 2 times, reliability by 5 times (300 hours MTBF), as well as lower cost. The computer uses a block-oriented random access memory. At the moment, the capacity of a storage device with a capacity of more than 2 MB is used in the station by half, which will allow for further software upgrades.
The dual-mode radio transmitter can be used to detect targets in the far and near zones. This module consists of a dual-mode traveling-wave tube amplifier, a solid-state pulse modulator, a power supply, and a processor that provides carrier frequency change, calibration, and equipment performance testing.
The radar transmitter operates in two main modes: high power with medium and low pulse repetition rate; low power with high pulse repetition rate. The first mode is used to solve the problems of detecting and tracking air targets at medium ranges, in close combat and for action on ground (surface) targets, as well as in the interests of navigation. The second provides detection and tracking of air targets at a long range, while using pulses with low power and high duty cycle.
The frequency modulator makes it possible to increase the noise immunity of the radar and the range resolution, including in the ground space survey mode, by 8 times, as well as the speed of access to the information received. The station has a low level of side lobes and a high gain.
In the process of detecting high-speed air targets, the space is initially scanned with a high pulse repetition rate, and after detecting objects in the tracking mode, the distance to it and the bearing are determined, while the average pulse repetition frequency is used. In this mode, the radar can simultaneously track up to ten targets.
The radar has 25 operating modes, which are divided into three groups: advanced attackers, air superiority, advanced air-to-air.
The AN/APG-80 radar is the export version of the AN/APG-68(V). In addition to the antenna, the cooling and power supply systems were replaced on it. The AN / APG-80 radar has a 10 percent increased. target detection range, expanded by 20 ° sector of view in azimuth and elevation, and can also simultaneously track up to 20 targets. The station's noise immunity has been improved, target detection algorithms have been added, the probability of false alarms has been reduced, and the time between failures has been increased to 500 hours.
On tactical fighters F-16C and D, the following means of communication and data transmission are installed: VHF radio stations AN / ARC-164 (AN / URC-126) and AN / ARC-222; terminal AN/URC-107(V) of equipment of the communication and data distribution system "Gitids"; classified communications equipment (ZAS) KY-58; multifunctional digital communication and data distribution system Meads; AN/AIC-18/25 intercom system.
The AN / ARC-164 radio station allows you to communicate using pseudo-random hopping of the operating frequency (PFC) and at a fixed frequency. For both modes, crypto-resistant closure of speech and data can be applied using an optionally installed encoder KY-58 "Vinson". The change of cipher keys is carried out both manually and remotely from the ground or from an air control center. Up to 20 frequencies can be preset on this radar.
At present, to replace the AN / ARC-164 radio stations of the “Have Quick-1 and -2” options, an upgraded version is being received, which received the military designation AN / URC-126 (“Have Quick-2A”), which allows for high noise-immune communication through the use of the frequency hopping mode (the operating frequency change rate is more than 500 hops / s). This mode provides protection against the impact of targeted and combined interference created by promising jammers controlled by expert subsystems.

AN/APG-68(V) radar equipment for F-16C and D aircraft
Radar modification	A country	Number of stations by 2005 (2010)
AN/APG-68(V)1/5	USA	1444
AN/APG-68(V)2/3	Bahrain	22
	Egypt	154
	Greece	80
	Israel	135
	The Republic of Korea	160
	Singapore	42
	Türkiye	240
AN/APG-68(V)7	The Republic of Korea	20
	Singapore	20
AN/APG-68(V)8	Egypt	24
AN/APG-68(V)9	Greece	70
	Israel	41 (102)
	Oman	12
	Poland	6(48)
	Chile	6(10)
AN/APG-80	United United Arab Emirates	32 (80)

In terms of its size and shape, the AN/URC-126 radio station is practically comparable to the one being replaced - AN/ARC-164, which eliminates the need for modifications when it is installed on an aircraft. However, she has great functionality due to additional modules and subsystems, such as: a subsystem for the formation of the frequency hopping mode; VHF receiver with an auxiliary intermediate frequency for receiving circular messages; high-performance control processor (1.5 million operations/s); matching block for connecting the encoder; built-in automatic control system, allowing with a probability of 83-89 percent. identify and locate faults.
Digital speech coding based on delta modulation with a continuously varying slope also contributes to an increase in the noise immunity of communication. The transmission of the output digital stream in the radio telephony mode is carried out at a rate of 16 kbps using the frequency shift keying method with a relatively low modulation depth (0.5). As a result, up to 92 per cent. The transmitted signal energy remains within the bandwidth of the 25 kHz frequency spectrum. In this case, the probability of an error does not exceed 10 percent, which corresponds to speech intelligibility no worse than
80 percent (permissible value in the US Air Force). For data transmission, an error probability of 10 percent is too high, so excessive noise-correcting coding is applied to improve noise immunity. Ensuring the time synchronization of the reference generators of radio stations when operating in the frequency hopping mode is carried out according to signals transmitted on board from ground stations common time system or signals of the receiving device (PU) CRNS NAVSTAR.
The AN / ARC-222 radio station operates in the frequency ranges 30-88 and 108-156 MHz. Compared to the previous one - AN / ARC-186 - the new station has an extended operating frequency range, has greater functionality and provides closed communication both when operating at fixed frequencies and in the frequency hopping mode. It is made at the modern technological level.
(based on microprocessors and LSI), which allows you to reprogram the station and download new software. Its design provides easy access to connectors intended for connecting a variety of auxiliary equipment (data transmission equipment and ZAS: KY-58 Vinson encoder, antenna tuning device, NAVSTAR control panel, cipher key input device, reprogramming devices).
The equipment of the communication and data distribution system "Jitids" (Link-16) class 2H, terminal AN / URC-107 (V), supports the transmission format "Tadil-J" and can serve up to 127 subscribers. The system operates in the frequency hopping mode with encryption of transmitted information.
This terminal has increased power and data transfer rate. Structurally, it consists of a transceiver, a processor unit, an amplifier
For power, cipher key input device (KGV-8) and remote control. For the operation of the AN / URC-107 (V) terminal, two antennas are installed on the aircraft (for the TAKAN and Jitids systems).
With the help of this equipment, the following is transmitted to helicopters and tactical aircraft in character-digital form: information about the location and course of own and unidentified aircraft; coordinates of navigation reference points on the flight route; data on the type of target (air, ground or surface) on which the fighter is aimed; information about the deployment of enemy air defense systems, their military bases and landing airfields; data on the deployment of forces and means ground forces friendly and enemy, as well as data on the line of contact between troops.
In order to ensure the interaction of F-16C and D tactical fighters with the aircraft of the national air forces and NATO countries during joint operations in the theater, the Meads-LVT terminals of the Meads multifunctional digital communication and data distribution system were installed on them.
According to the used data exchange protocols and operating modes, the Meads system terminals are fully compatible with the American Gitids system. They operate in the frequency range 960-1 215 MHz and provide noise-resistant closed exchange of voice messages and data at a rate of up to 2 Mbps, including for solving navigation and identification tasks. The time division multiple access mode used in the system ensures simultaneous operation of up to 128 subscribers in one network, and also allows each subscriber to simultaneously work in several similar networks.
The software synthesizes a visual tactical environment, which is displayed on the display and gives a complete picture of the situation on the theater, which can significantly reduce the burden on the pilot and reduce the decision-making time.
Meads-LVT system terminals have a modular design and an open architecture (based on commercial standards and technologies), which makes it possible to reduce
weight, 3 times - dimensions and cost, as well as to increase functional reliability in comparison with the terminals of the "Gitids" system.
The AN / ARA-63 decoder receiver is used when landing a tactical fighter on an aircraft carrier, when approaching which it interacts with the ship's radio station AN / SPN-41. It consists of: a radio receiver, a decoder and a control panel. The operating frequency range of the receiver 14.69-15.51 GHz is divided into 20 channels.
On F-16C and D aircraft of the US Air Force, the AN / APX-111 and -113 Mk 12 equipment of the “friend or foe” state identification system is used to determine the nationality of an aircraft.
The main feature of this equipment was the placement of the interrogator / responder and the computer in one block. In addition, for the first time, low-profile multi-element phased arrays mounted on the fuselage are used as an antenna system, which allow electronic scanning of the beams of the radiation pattern (DN) of the antenna. The computer is based on the 1750 processor. It is connected to the central computer of the aircraft via the multiplex data transmission bus of the 1553 standard, which allows it to be quickly programmed. The open architecture of the hardware and software makes it possible to further upgrade them to ensure operation in the NGIFF system. The cost of one set of equipment is 250-370 thousand dollars.
The on-board personal protection complex of the F-16C and D tactical fighters consists of a radar warning station, a decoy machine (LTC) and dipole reflectors, as well as jamming equipment.
Currently, the AN/ALR-69(V) radar warning stations on F-16C and D aircraft are being replaced by AN/ALR-56M, which have higher selectivity and accuracy in detecting a radio source (RES). Both stations have similar specifications, are capable of detecting and recognizing sources of continuous, pulsed and pulse-Doppler radiation from all directions in the range of 0.3-20 GHz (expandable to 40 GHz).
Preliminary processing of the received signal (filtering and conversion to the frequency of the superheterodyne receiver) and selection of the carrier frequency are carried out in the receivers for detecting RES, then it is fed to the input of the superheterodyne receiver, which consists of a set of adaptive digital filters. The signal at the input of the whip antenna is amplified in the carrier frequency selection receiver and is also fed to the input of the superheterodyne receiver, after which the converted and amplitude-limited signal is transmitted to the controller, where it is processed, digitized and the carrier frequency is determined by comparing with the signal library in memory. Next, the signal is fed to the data processor to determine the repetition rate and duration of the pulses, the signal power level at the receiver input, the time and direction of its arrival.
Bearing and estimated range to IRI are displayed on the indicator located on the dashboard in the cockpit. To warn the pilot, sound and light signals are given. If necessary, the station issues a command to the active jamming equipment or to the chaff and LTC (AN / ALE-47) machine connected via the 1553 standard data bus. The weight of the kit is about 40 kg, the cost is 250-400 thousand dollars (depending on configuration).
Equipment AN / ALE-47 is used to create passive interference. It allows you to use four types of traps with 16 types of fillers. At the same time, up to five different cassettes can be installed in each magazine. At the same time, one to four cassettes are fired from each magazine. The time the machine is ready to shoot them does not exceed 5 ms. The pilot can reprogram the equipment during the flight. The machine operates in four main modes: automatic - the received signal is compared with the database, and then the most efficient mode of operation and a set of cassettes are selected; semi-automatic - similar to automatic, but the decision to shoot the cassettes is made by the pilot, manual - the crew chooses
the mode of operation of the machine among the given algorithms; reserve - the crew can reprogram the machine in flight.
The computing unit receives data on the position of the aircraft and the type of missiles (RES), on the basis of which a decision is made on the optimal mode for firing cassettes.
To set up active interference on F-16C and D aircraft, automatic personal protection stations of the AN / ALQ-131 (V) modular type are installed. This station is housed in a container divided by an I-beam, cooled with fluorocarbon. It includes: a digital device for generating interference; COMPUTER; broadband superheterodyne receiver with frequency hopping, including a processor that performs the functions of identifying signals and sorting them by priority. The station's operability is checked by the central integrated system CITS (Central Integrated Test System), which detects equipment failure up to the removable module and turns it off if necessary.
Working in conjunction with a radar exposure warning receiver, the station is capable of autonomously detecting and setting active interference from radio sources in the 2-20 GHz frequency range according to a previously specified algorithm, which is entered during pre-flight preparation for 15 minutes. The computer can generate up to 48 different signals. Container weight 300 kg, length 2.8 m.
The US military has purchased more than 1,000 containers worth $1.2 million. They are also purchased by eight countries for installation on F-16C and D fighters.
The F-16C and D aircraft are equipped with a GAC ​​(General Avionics Computer) central computer developed by Northrop-Grumman.
The navigation complex of the F-16C and D aircraft includes: TAKAN tactical navigation system equipment, AN / ASN-139A INS based on a laser gyroscope, a radio altimeter, an LN-93 / LN-100G system that performs the functions of an INS, and a NAVSTAR launcher; PNS LANTIRN.
Currently, the LANTIRN PNS (cost $ 4.1 million) is in service with most countries that have purchased F-16C and D fighters.
In 2001, the US Air Force Command decided to gradually replace (until 2015) the outdated LANTIRN system with the new Sniper XR (extended Range) sighting system, developed by Lockheed Martin specialists, which is designed to support tactical aircraft combat operations at high altitudes and in difficult weather conditions.
The system allows the crew to independently search, detect, recognize and automatically track tactical ground targets in a passive mode at a range of 15-20 km at any time of the day, as well as search and track air targets. The third-generation laser makes it possible to aim high-precision guided weapons, including the latest J-series, and hit important land and sea targets (communication centers, transport hubs, deep command posts, warehouses, surface ships, etc.).
The main elements of the system, with the exception of the information display device, are installed in a hanging container under the aircraft fuselage. It contains: an air conditioning system that provides optimal air parameters inside the container; electronic blocks for processing information from heat and television cameras; a device for interfacing the container equipment with the onboard digital electronic computer of the aircraft; an optoelectronic unit containing a front-view IR camera operating in the 8-12 μm wavelength range, a television camera on charge-coupled devices, a laser rangefinder-target designator and a laser marker. The display, located in the cockpit, displays information from television and infrared cameras in real time.
The main features of the Sniper XR system are the use of the latest algorithms for detecting and recognizing ground objects from the resulting two-dimensional image and optoelectronic base stabilization using advanced technologies. These developments made it possible to increase the accuracy characteristics of the system by more than 3 times compared to currently used analogs.
To prevent mechanical damage to optoelectronic and IR sensors, a sapphire glass is installed in the front of the container, which has high strength and is transparent to the visible and infrared wavelengths.
The modular principle of installing equipment in a container made it possible to reduce the volume of equipment (almost 2 times in relation to LANTIRN) and reduce its weight, as well as reduce the time for repair and maintenance of equipment.

In 2001, the manufacturer of the Sniper XR system, Lockheed Martin, signed an $843 million contract with the US Air Force for the supply of 522 containers and spare devices for them. In July 2002, nine sets of the export version of this system, called "Panther", were sold to Norway for deployment on F-16 aircraft of the national air force.
To expand the capabilities of the F-16СJ aircraft to suppress enemy radars, they are provided with the option of installing a system for issuing target designation of counter-
radar missile AGM-88B HARM HTS (HARM Targeting System), placed in a container. This system, developed by Reite-on, is designed to detect, recognize IRI and issue HARM target designation commands. To improve the accuracy of determining the location of the source of radio emission, the sharing of information received from the HTS system, as well as from RC-135 and EA-6B aircraft is provided. Container weight 41 kg, length 1.4 m, diameter 0.2 m.
The main information display devices in the cockpit of F-16С and D tactical fighters are multifunctional displays and a windshield indicator (HUD). In addition, aircraft are equipped with helmet-mounted display systems.
The HUD for operation in the dark is provided with a raster mode for displaying data from the front-view IR camera, as well as other information in symbolic form. The absence of distortion on the indicator makes it easier for the pilot to attack the target.
In the cockpit of the F-16C aircraft, two color liquid crystal displays measuring 10 x 10 cm with a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels are installed, displaying: radar situation, weapons composition, malfunctions (left); tactical situation in a given area, aircraft with which communication is maintained (right).
The JHMCS helmet-mounted system installed on the aircraft allows the pilot to issue target designation commands to air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles when turning his head in the direction of the target (which is in the field of view) without using manual controls. The development of such a system was carried out specifically to ensure the possibility of using guided missiles AIM-9X from Air Force and Navy tactical fighters. It allows you to launch a missile at a target located in the field of view in azimuth ± 90 ° from the longitudinal axis of the missile. With the help of the new system, the pilot can use the weapon without changing the direction of the carrier's flight. Projected (two LEDs) on the transparent glass of the monocular sighting
the sight enables the pilot to carry out preliminary aiming of the weapon. In addition, target movement parameters and information about the aircraft are projected onto the glass. The angle of the field of view of the monocular lens (for the right eye) is 20°. The monocular can be individually adjusted to the vision of each pilot by zooming in by 18mm and moving away by 16mm from the original position. The mass of the helmet-mounted system is 1.82 kg, the time between failures is 1,000 hours. The cost of one set of the JHMCS helmet-mounted target designation system, developed by Raytheon, is 270 thousand dollars. In total, by 2008 it is planned to purchase 833 sets. NS

The latest best military aircraft of the Air Force of Russia and the world photos, pictures, videos about the value of a fighter aircraft as a combat weapon capable of providing "air supremacy" was recognized by the military circles of all states by the spring of 1916. This required the creation of a special combat aircraft that surpasses 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 machines of designers J. Gakkel, I. Sikorsky, D. Grigorovich, V. Slesarev, I. Steglau began to appear. In 1913, the heavy aircraft "Russian Knight" made its first flight. But one cannot fail to recall the first aircraft creator in the world - Captain 1st Rank Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaisky.

Soviet military aircraft of the Great USSR Patriotic War sought to hit the enemy troops, his communications and other objects 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 bombard enemy forces in the tactical and operational depth of the fronts led to the understanding of the fact that their performance should 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, the latest models of military aircraft in 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 to try to equip existing aircraft with small arms offensive weapons. Mobile machine-gun mounts, which began to equip the aircraft, required excessive efforts from the pilots, since the control of the machine in a maneuverable battle and the simultaneous firing of an unstable weapon reduced the effectiveness of fire. The use of a two-seat aircraft as a fighter, where one of the crew members played the role of a gunner, also created certain problems, because an increase in the weight and drag of the machine led to a decrease in its flight qualities.

What are the planes. 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 modes of fighter flight. However, the race for speed also had its negative sides - the takeoff and landing characteristics and the maneuverability of aircraft deteriorated sharply. During these years, the level of aircraft construction reached such a level that it was possible to start creating aircraft with a variable sweep wing.

In order to further increase the flight speeds of jet fighters exceeding the speed of sound, Russian combat aircraft required an increase in their power-to-weight ratio, an increase in the specific characteristics of turbojet engines, and also an improvement in 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. For a significant increase in thrust, and hence the flight speed, afterburners were introduced into the engine design. The improvement of the aerodynamic forms of aircraft consisted in the use of wings and empennage with large sweep angles (in the transition to thin delta wings), as well as supersonic air intakes.

In contact with

Classmates

MiG-29 vs.F-16. FliegerRewue, Germany, February 1998

Brief reference.

The most common fourth-generation foreign jet fighter, the F-16, forms the basis of the air forces of many of the 19 countries that have purchased it. The main customer - the US Air Force - continues to purchase aircraft of this type, despite significant budget cuts in the early 1990s, and the F-16 will remain the most massive American fighter for more than a decade.

And now - MiG-29Fulcrum. Type - air superiority

So - F-16FightingFalcon. Type - Multipurpose fighter

General Dynamics (in early 1993, General Dynamics, the developer of the F-16, sold its aircraft manufacturing department to Lockheed) began preliminary research on the new FX fighter in 1968. One of the lessons of the Vietnam War was that the heavy F-4 Phantom fighters were often inferior in combat to the light, maneuverable MiG-17, MiG-19, and MiG-21 aircraft. Therefore, it was decided to create a small-sized cheap aircraft with high maneuverability in the range of numbers M = 0.8-1.6. Model testing in the wind tunnel began in 1971, and in January 1972. The US Air Force sent nine firms a request for proposals for the development of a light experimental maneuverable fighter LWF (Light Weight Fighter) with a large thrust-to-weight ratio, simple electronic equipment and a maximum takeoff weight of about 9 tons. February 28, 1972. Five firms (General Dynamics, Northrop, Boeing, LTV and Lockheed) submitted proposals. On April 13 of the same year, contracts were signed with General Dynamics and Northrop for the development, construction and testing by each firm of two prototype General Dynamics 401 and Northrop P.600 aircraft, which received in December 1972. Customer designations YF -16 and YF -17. During the design process, General Dynamics performed over 1,200 hours of wind tunnel testing and examined over 50 aircraft configurations.

In the four years preceding the selection of project 401, the configuration of the aircraft under study has changed significantly. In 1968 An aircraft with a practically straight wing and an air intake with a central conical body was studied. Subsequently, studies were carried out to optimize the operation of the air intake at high angles of attack, to reduce the aircraft weight and the level of buffeting when performing maneuvers with high Gs. As a result, a layout was developed with a smooth articulation of the increased sweep wing with the fuselage, which has a ventral air intake with a short air supply channel to the engine. A twin-engine layout was studied, which was decided to be abandoned due to an increase in the initial combat weight of the aircraft (with a full internal fuel supply and dropped external tanks) by 20%, an increase in the complexity and cost of the aircraft. Also, the originally intended two-keel plumage and engine thrust reversal device were not used.

The F-16 did not become a heavy bomber; instead, General Dynamics relied on equipping the aircraft with a small number of air-to-ground guided weapons.
By the beginning of the 90s. the USAF command decided that this version of the Falcon was already quite suitable for striking ground targets and even ordered 300 vehicles specifically for the tasks of direct support of troops and isolation of combat areas, that is, in fact, in the role of an attack aircraft, the aircraft were equipped with a 30-mm cannon in the ventral container, a Pave Penny laser rangefinder and an infrared forward-looking system FLIR (Forward-looking Infra-Red). F-16C / D Block 30 in a close configuration was purchased by Türkiye, Greece and Israel. Similar aircraft, but equipped with P & W F 100-PW -220 engines, were produced under the designation Block 32 and delivered to Egypt and South Korea. (In general, the following rule is typical for the designations of modern F-16s: the variant number with the GE engine ends with "O", and with the P & W - with "2".)

To begin with, the Westmghouse APG -68 radar (instead of APG -66) was installed on the fighter, which ensured the use of AGM -65D Maverick missiles. This happened on the F -16C Block 25, which first took off on June 15, 1984. In addition, the aircraft received new cockpit equipment, an electrical system, a life support system and an oversized electronic warfare equipment built into the base of the keel, which was placed in a hanging container on the F -16A / B e Subsequently, these features became common to all variants of the fighter. On September 14, 1984, a two-seat F-16D Block 25 took off into the sky, retaining the dimensions, weight and equipment of the single-seat version, but differing by 580 kg in less fuel and, accordingly, a shorter flight range. In terms of versatility, the F -16C / D Block 25 is not far from the F -16A / B, but at the same time, they remain quite light (the mass of the empty curb is 7620 kg), which means they have high performance in close air combat.

Crew 1 person
Length 14.8 m
Maximum takeoff weight 16875 kg
Dry weight 7620 kg
Engines 1 x Pratt and Whitney F 100-PW -200/220/229 or
1 x General Electric F 110-GE-100/129
Power 1 x 129.40 kN
Height ceiling 17200 m
Maximum speed 2145 km/h
Range 1370 km
Armament six-barreled gun M-61A 1 caliber 20mm for 500 rounds
6 x MK 82, 6 x MK 84, 2 x AGM 65, 2 x AGM 88, 4 x CBU 87, 4 x CBU 89, 4 x CBU 97, 2 x GBU 10, 6 x GBU 12, 2 x AIM 9, 2 x AIM 120
Year of adoption 1976
Height 4.8 m
Wingspan 9.8 m

Armament

Air-to-Air missile AIM 7
Air-to-Air missile AIM 9
Air-to-Air missile AIM 120
Air-to-ground missile AGM 65
Air-to-ground missile AGM 154
Air-to-ground missile AGM-158 JASSM

And now - MiG-29Fulcrum. Type - Air superiority fighter

MiG-29 is one of the best fighters in the world. It is believed that the first Soviet MiG-29 squadron was formed during 1984. By January 1986 MiG-29s were delivered to many air units of the USSR.

The MiG-29 fighter is equipped with two turbojet engines of the Tumansky system with a thrust of 8300 kgf using fuel afterburning. The engine is smokeless with water injection on landing, like Tumansky's other engines. The huge wings of the MiG-29 have many advantages: they provide high lift with low wing loading. The result is excellent maneuverability. The wing is equipped with fully opening slats, effective flaps and semi-opening ailerons.

The cockpit of the MiG-29 is spacious and covered with a large canopy, which provides a larger field of view than Western fighters. All MiG-29 suspensions can carry bombs or other air-to-ground weapons. The MiG-29 is a versatile fighter capable of both bombing and air superiority.

MiG-29 - created for the long term. Having first taken to the air about 20 years ago, it remains to this day the world's best fighter in its class. Moreover, its latest modification, the MiG-29SM, first shown at the Paris Air Show in 1995, is already a fully multifunctional fighter equipped with precision weapons"air-to-ground" Its impact power has increased three times, compared with previous modifications. The MiG-29SM inherited from the MiG-29SE (aircraft similar to this modification were delivered to Malaysia) all the innovations: an increased bomb load (up to 4 tons), air refueling, missiles with an active radar homing head RVV-AE, which increase the chance to win in ranged combat 6-7 times. Already these two modifications in terms of basic parameters are not inferior or superior to the Eurofighter being developed - the next generation fighter, that is, the Russian 4th generation aircraft is superior to Western 5th generation aircraft.

In terms of its flight performance and combat characteristics, our fighter surpasses its foreign counterparts, including the F-16C, F-18, Mirage-2000, Rafal, and the Eurofighter currently being created. It is also one and a half to two years ahead of them in terms of the aircraft creation cycle.

Everyone who took part in the test flights noted the very high controllability of the aircraft. Composite materials are widely used in the design of the aircraft, the engine protection system against foreign objects has been fundamentally changed. This made it possible, while maintaining practically the same “dry” weight as that of the MiG-29, to increase the fuel supply by 1,500 liters, which in turn gave a significant increase (by more than 40 percent) in the range of the fighter.

At the same time, a shipborne version of the MiG-29K fighter was developed on the basis of the MiG-29M. But due to lack of funding, work on this program has now been curtailed. For further development Su-27K was chosen.

Mikoyan Design Bureau fighters were glory Soviet aviation. In fighter aviation, three classes of aircraft have developed, now represented by MiG-31, Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft. The need for a heavy long-range interceptor MiG-31 is associated with vast expanses in the North and Far East. Su-27 was a domestic super fighter. In addition, its range allows bomber escort. The MiG-29 was intended for the role of a front-line fighter. The landslide reduction affected primarily the MiG-29, since the Su-27 has a large number of missiles and a longer range. But for solving problems in the west and south, a light fighter has significant tactical advantages. In addition, part of the tasks of strike aviation can be shifted to the MiG-29.

As a result of the fundamental modernization of the MiG-29, the MiG-33 fighter was developed. The capabilities of the aircraft to defeat air and ground targets were expanded. The flight range of the aircraft has been significantly increased, and the radio-electronic equipment has been completely updated. The combat potential of the MiG-33 in solving air-to-air tasks increased by 1.5 times compared to the MiG-29, and in solving air-to-surface tasks by 3.4 times.

Tactical and technical characteristics

Crew 1 person
Length 17.3 m
Height 4.7 m
Maximum takeoff weight 17700 kg
Engine 2 x RD-33K DTRD
Power 2 x 9400 kgc
Height ceiling 18000 m
Maximum speed 2300 km/h
Range 2600 km
Armament 30 mm gun GSh-301,
UR "air-to-air",
UR "air-ground", NUR,
bombs (adjustable, nuclear)
Year of adoption 1982
Wingspan 11.3 m

Armament

R-27 AA-10 ALAMO medium-range missile
R-60 AA-8 Aphid short-range missile
R-73 AA-11 Archer short-range missile
Medium-range missile R-77 AA -12 ADDER
Unguided missile S-5 Starling
S-8 unguided rocket

And finally, the actual article.

"SUPERB FIGHTER"

Commander of the International Academy for the Training of Fighter Pilots (IFPA) comparesF-16 and MiG-29
Tom Orsos is the commander of the International Academy for the training of fighter pilots and an instructor on the MiG-29 aircraft, he flew in Texas (USA) on the F -16. Orsos is an Australian of Hungarian origin, today he lives in Hungary. He flew Russian-made fighter jets. 1400 flight hours, 650 of them on jet aircraft; and on 30 different types of aircraft - such is the experience of this magnificent pilot.
In October 1996, he felt the urge to fly a modern Western fighter jet and compare it to Russian aircraft technology.

Ka to passed the first day at the air force base in Fort Worth(Forth Worth)
I was received very cordially by the airmen and ground personnel at NAS Caswell Reserve Base in Texas. For them it was, of course, interesting to meet an airman who was trained to fly the planes of former enemies and flew them. With my pilot partner, Captain Keith Knudsen, I initially spent two hours training on the F-16 simulator. At the end of the day, we were surprised when we were told that we had to make a 75-minute flight in an F-16.

Can you describe the flight?
Tom Orsos: In a nutshell, the takeoff should be as follows: two F-16s against two F-18s. The F-16s were equipped with two Sidewinder (AIM -9L) missiles, one 20mm cannon and an EW pod.
The fight was not easy. Both F-18s decided to fly forward together head-on at an altitude of 6000 meters. We were under them at an altitude of 3400 meters and then we decided to approach them, to separate them. We wanted to acquire the target by radar and began the pursuit.
We moved with an overload of about 6.5-8.5, but the F-18 did not help all the maneuvers, we were able to hit it with another Sidewinder missile (using an electronic simulator).
As reported, two training air battles were planned.

Ka tooe impression you got fromF-16?
First, I took a seat in the cockpit - it was more difficult than in the MiG-29. With the cockpit canopy open, there is very little freedom for movement. Wearing gear such as a helmet, a mask and a pilot's g-suit makes the F-16 feel more like an athlete than a pilot, and all of this limits his movement. When I flew for the first time, I got the impression that the American system is a bit more complicated and harder to operate than the Russian one. On the last (???-AKN) flight, the pilot is allowed to buckle up half the time and without assistance. In the F-16, this is almost impossible, since this is really a job for two and can hardly be done without the help of ground personnel.
The engine starts quickly and quietly. The launch of the F-16 is soft and brisk, the improved GE engine in the F-16 reminds me of the superb thrust of the MiG-21.
The F-16 is very easy to fly thanks to the aircraft's digital control system. The flight control system (Fly -by -wire -Sistem) responds very quickly, the control stick is so receptive that you can control with two fingers and do not need the whole hand at all. After the strength that was required when flying MiGs, this is almost a toy aircraft.

After the experience you have gained, do you consider the MiG-29 the best aircraft?
This is a difficult question. The F-16 is a magnificent, comfortable and modern fighter. The MiG-29 is a heavier and tougher fighter aircraft. I was convinced from my own experience that anyone who can fly the MiG-29 can very easily and quickly transfer to the F-16, but on the contrary, it’s probably not so easy.
I think in aerial combat the decisive factor influencing the outcome of the battle is the man in the cockpit, not the technology. The pilot largely determines the success or failure of a sortie. In other words, when comparing equivalent aircraft, in the end, the best pilot training decides.

VIPER VS SWALLOW

Ever since man began to master the sky, he also began to argue about which aircraft is the most suitable for this purpose. This debate has been going on passionately ever since and it's hard to imagine if it will ever end.
One of the most controversial topics among aviation experts and enthusiasts is comparing the MiG-29 to the F-16. The question is: "Which of the two aircraft is better?"

F-16 AND MIG-29 IN COMPARISON

The answers to this question are completely different. It can be stated that personal preferences and nationality have a great influence on the point of view. If an American is asked, then, of course, the answer is that F -16. And if you ask a Russian, the answer will also be clear.
If you wish to approach the topic of the F-16 against the MiG-29 without emotions, then you need to use the open, available characteristics.
To evaluate a front-line fighter, which are both the F-16 and the MiG-29, you can use the criteria of visual visibility, maneuverability, flight safety, weapons and avionics.

VISUAL OVERVIEW

The rule of fighter aircraft is that the enemy must never be lost sight of. Another rule: whoever discovers his opponent first has the advantage.
Therefore, optical visibility in air combat is crucial. Here the F-16 (called the "Viper" by the pilots due to its shape) has an advantage over its opponent.
The projection of the F-16 from some angles of view is almost a third smaller than the MiG-29. At a frontal approach, the F-16 is slightly larger than the MiG-21, which, according to American sources, says that the MiG-21 at a distance of more than 3 kilometers can only be visually noticed with great difficulty.
For the MiG-29, the fact that their aircraft engines create a clearly visible plume of smoke in some flight modes has an unfavorable effect.
Further (about visibility conditions), the view from the MiG cockpit is much worse than from the F-16 cockpit, but the pilot controlling the MiG is more protected from enemy fire.

MANEUVERABILITY

Maneuverability should be understood as the ability of the aircraft to perform tight turns, the rate of acceleration and the rate of climb.
The ability of an aircraft to perform turns depends on its specific surface load. Due to the integrated aerodynamic scheme, the specific load on the surface of the MiG-29A with a normal starting weight is 337 kg / m2, slightly less than that of the F-16. For the F-16A model, this value is 394 kg/m2, while for the F-16C it reaches 425 kg/m2. The turning speed of the MiG-29A aircraft reaches, according to Russian data, 22.8 ° / s, while the F-16 has 21.5 ° / s.
Consequently, the MiG-29 has a slight advantage over the F-16 in horizontal air combat.
The acceleration rate is influenced by the magnitude of the specific thrust. Here the MiG-29A has 90 kg / kN, and the F-16 - 92 kg / kN, i.e. almost the same. MiG cannot achieve significant superiority.
The MiG-29A, which pilots usually call "Swift" for its maneuverability, has a clear advantage in the vertical plane. According to Russian data, the MiG-29 is gaining altitude at a speed of 334 m/s, while the F-16's climb speed is 294 m/s. According to other sources, the F-16 achieves a climb speed of only 215 m / s. It is very difficult to determine which of the characteristics of the aircraft is true, as their manufacturers and operators are very secretive in matters of flight performance.
However, it is known for certain that the F-16 in the vertical plane is not suitable for the soles of the MiG-29. The aforementioned factors influence the maneuverability. For all three points, the MiG-29 has the best performance. True, the difference, with the exception of the rate of climb, is not so great and good pilots can level this difference. To win, the fighter pilot will choose the type of air combat in which his aircraft will have an advantage. Therefore, in maneuverable combat, the F-16 pilot should aim for combat in the horizontal plane, while the MiG-29 pilot will prefer combat in the vertical plane. The F-16 must have a high speed; on the contrary, the MiG-29 can also be held in air combat in the low speed range.

FLIGHT SAFETY

In general, a twin-engine aircraft always has a higher flight safety than a single-engine aircraft. Therefore, the MiG-29 is superior to the F-16 in this respect. While the failure of an engine may be due to technical breakdowns or from the impact of a weapon, for a single-engine machine this will inevitably lead to its loss, and twin-engine aircraft can still reach their airfield under favorable conditions. This is also confirmed by examples from the 1982 Syrian-Israeli conflict. So hitting rockets at least three Israeli F-15 aircraft led to engine failure. Nevertheless, the pilots managed to make a safe landing.

WEAPONS

Front-line fighter armament should include both the air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon categories. The F-16 has the largest set of air-to-ground weapons available for combat use.
The F-16 is capable of using guided and unguided bombs and missiles, as well as anti-radar missiles. Electronics placed in an additional container makes it possible to point the use of weapons.
The MiG-29, on the other hand, is forced to limit itself in combat with ground targets to unguided bombs and missiles. The maximum armament weight of the MiG-29 is 2.3 tons, which is 4.6 tons less than that of the F-16, although more modern MiG-29 models already have more weapons (M-versions - 4.5 tons) and a larger set of weapons, but do not reach the carrying capacity of the F -16 at all.
Both fighters for combat use of air-to-air weapons have at their disposal modern medium-range missiles guided by radar. Here the MiG has the advantage that the R-77 (Adder) missiles have the longest range of 100 km. F -16 can use AMRAMM missiles at a distance of 75 km.
As missiles with a semi-active target search, the MiG-29F can launch R-27 (Alamo) missiles at a distance of 60 km, and F-16 AIM-7 Sparrow missiles at a distance of 45 km.
The MiG-29 has at its disposal R-73E missiles for close armed combat, which are generally considered at present to be the best of the available missiles with infrared homing heads for combat.
R-73E (Archer) missiles not only have a greater range than those of Western counterparts, but also have high accuracy and maneuverability. The R-73E warhead is also significantly more effective than the AIM-9 (Sidewinder) multiple (fragmentation) warhead.
As a further plus, the MiG-29 has a longer range of airguns and a larger caliber. At the same time, the accuracy of the fire of the MiG aircraft is the highest, thanks to the use of a laser rangefinder.

AVIONICS

Sensors are the most important link in avionics. The main sensor of all fighters is the radar.
It is difficult to evaluate a radar system, since the manufacturer almost does not publish characteristics. It can be confidently determined that the radar No. 193 of the MiG-29 aircraft has the largest viewing angle - 140 degrees.
The APG-66 radar for the F-16A and, accordingly, the APG-68 for the F-16C have a viewing angle of 120 degrees. The maximum range of the No 193 radar is only said to be more than 100 km, while the maximum range of the APG-66 is 85 km, and the APG-68 radar is reported to be 148 km.
According to Russian sources, the MiG-29A can determine the coordinates with a reflective surface of 3 square meters at a distance of 60 to 70 km. The F-16 can lock onto a target of the same size at a distance of 50 to 60 km.
A significant advantage of the MiG-29 aircraft, which the F-16 cannot oppose, is the presence of an infrared sensor with a large range.
According to the Bundeswehr pilots, under favorable conditions, the infrared sensor is able to determine the coordinates of the aircraft at a distance of 20 km. The new sensors that the MiG-29M aircraft were equipped with should have a range three times greater.
The next advantage of the MiG-29 is the pilot's helmet with a sight, which represents a decisive superiority in close air combat.
In the presence of a helmet with a sight, the MiG-29 pilot can acquire an air target earlier, even before the usual target acquisition angles and destroy it. During flight training at the NATO air combat training center Desimomannu in Sardinia, it was revealed that the MiG-29, when used in combination with a helmet with a sight and R-73E missiles, outperforms all Western fighters.
The F-16 has the most ergonomically comfortable cockpit.
The flight control system (Fly -by -Wire -Steuerung) and the HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) engine control system make the F-16 exceptionally manageable. At the push of a single switch, the Falcon is ready for battle.
On the contrary, the MiG-29 must still be manually tuned and controlled. Also, significantly more steps are required for the aircraft to reach a state of combat readiness. This can result in the MiG pilot taking more time to get the aircraft up and also to engage in combat.
To some extent, modern MiG-29 models have overcome this shortcoming, but they still have to prove themselves.
In general, one can hardly evaluate avionics, since it is completely determined by electronics.
Because technical development Electronics is rapidly advancing, systems that yesterday were considered modern today can already be considered obsolete. From this point of view, it is also necessary to consider the claims of the Bundeswehr pilots, who complain about the radar of the MiG-29 aircraft belonging to Germany.
These MiGs were delivered to Germany in 1987 and still have the old system at their disposal. The new Russian radars on the MiG-29 have multiplied characteristics. They are similar to the characteristics of American radars.

SUMMARY

Both aircraft are rated as excellent fighters and pilots enjoy flying them. They are a highly complex weapon system that is more than the sum of its parts and it is therefore useless to emphasize individual advantages.
It is necessary to consider the components of the aircraft weapon system as a whole. The MiG-29 proved to be superior to the F-16 even in training close air combat.
Both machines have their advantages and disadvantages. When used in air-to-air combat at close range, the MiG-29 is probably the best machine, at medium range both fighters depend on the quality of the missiles available on the aircraft.
Both the MiG-29 and the F-16 are outstanding air combat aircraft that can optimally perform their tasks. The differences between them are not so great that they cannot be compensated by good pilots. Probably the decisive factor for victory is again what kind of training the pilot has.
If you ask the author's personal opinion, then the MiG-29 is slightly superior. The famous Soviet aircraft designer A.S. Yakovlev claimed: "An ugly plane will not fly, I don't know why, but it won't fly." "Perhaps there is no such […]

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The F-16 fighter took off into the sky in 1974. Fighting machine is still being issued. Over the 40 years of its existence, the aircraft has turned from a light fighter into a multi-purpose vehicle capable of day and night to make sorties and launch guided air-to-air missiles exceeding the visibility range. However, the aircraft is vulnerable to modern radars, because. it does not use stealth technology.

History of the new version

F-16 - American fighter aircraft of the 4th generation. Due to its flight and technical parameters, as well as low cost (from 34 to 50 million dollars), this aircraft has become the most purchased. In 1975, the F-16 cost only $4.5 million. The light fighter forms the backbone of the US military fleet and other countries.

The Americans call the F-16 the "attacking falcon". The developer of this series is the airline General Dynamics. The F-16 first flew in 1974. The development company won a competition to design a light fighter for the needs of the US Army back in 1972. The US military needed a light aircraft, the weight of which would not exceed 9 tons. The aircraft was supposed to participate in close combat at a speed of up to Mach 1.6 at an altitude of up to 12,200 meters.

In the announced competition, General Dynamics, together with Northrop, was beaten by such well-known airlines as Lockheed Corporation (later merged with Martin Marietta), Boeing, LTV. Northrop also received funding for design work and presented the development of the F-17, which became the basis for the release of the F / A18 aircraft for the US Navy.

The Department of Defense has signed a $39 million contract with General Dynamics. The F-16 was produced in small batches from 1975, large batches - from 1978 to 1980, 650 combat vehicles were manufactured. General Dynamics became part of the Lockheed Martin group in the mid-1990s. Until 2017, more than 4.5 thousand of these fighters were produced. About 2,200 pieces of equipment were purchased by the US Department of Defense. The rest of the fighters were bought up by the military departments of Israel, Turkey, Egypt and other countries.

F-16 obsolete?

YesNo

Flight performance parameters

The F-16 can fly almost 4,000 km without landing at a speed of 2,120 km / h and climb to a distance of 12,000 and 18,000 meters. The combat radius of the vehicle is 1361-1759 km. The flight range with conformal fuel tanks (3.9 thousand liters in the PTB) is 3.9 thousand km, without conformal fuel tanks (5.5 thousand liters in the PTB) - 4.4 thousand km.

Crew

The fighter is piloted by one person. Some models were converted to 2-seaters (F-16B, F-16D, F-16I).

Speed

Speed ​​parameters:

• cruising speed - 0.93 M;
• maximum speed - 2,145 km / h;
• Max. surface speed - 1,432 km / h;
• Max. rate of climb - 18,900 m/min.

Practical ceiling

The aircraft is capable of climbing to a height of 17-18 thousand meters. Practical ceiling - 14000–16000 meters. Lifting speed - 275 m/s.

Aircraft dimensions

Fighter dimensions:

• length - 15.03 m;
• height - 5.09 m;
• span and wing area - 9.45 m and 27.87 sq. m;
• empty weight - 7–9 tons;
• Max. takeoff weight - 17–21 tons;
• top volume. tanks - 3.9 thousand liters;
• fuel weight - 2.5–3.2 tons;
• motor type - Pratt & Whitney F100 or General Electric F110;
• power - 129.40 kN;
• external load weight - 8.7 t;
• the total weight of the combat load on all 9 hardpoints is 5.42 tons.

Armament

The fighter has 9 suspension points. The combat load is 5420 kg. True, to the detriment of maneuverability, it can be 9276 kg. The F-16 can carry 1 GPU-5/A gun pod with a 30mm gun.

Weight of weapons:

• central - two of 1.58 thousand kg;
• under the fuselage - 1 thousand kg;
• internal - two of 2.04 thousand kg;
• at the ends - two of 193 kg;
• external - two 318 kg each;
• add. suspension points on the side of the air collector - two 408 kg each.

Ammunition:

• gunnery - 6-barrel gun М61А1 20 mm for 511 shells;
• air-to-air - AIM-7(9,120), Python 3(4), Derby, Magic 2, Sky Flash;
• "air-to-surface" - AGM-65 (45, 84, 158);
• bombs - adjustable (GBU-10/31), adjustable cluster (GBU-103/105), free-falling (Mark 82/84);
• Radar - AN/APG-66/80.

Armament F-16

Design

F-16 is a single-keel monoplane, made according to the classical scheme. The aircraft has one motor in the tail. The fuselage is semi-monocoque. The wing with increased sweep smoothly flows into the fuselage. This design allows you to create an auxiliary lifting force at an increased angle of attack.

The angle of the leading edge of the wing is 40 degrees. An unregulated air collector is located under the fuselage. The chassis is hydraulically driven. The A-pillar is located just behind the air intake. The fighter has an integral aerodynamic layout, the center of gravity of the side is shifted forward, and there is a highly sensitive radar.

The F-16 is the first Mach 2 aircraft in service with the US Army. A combat vehicle with a resource of 8,000 hours is designed for sorties and maneuvers with an overload of 9 g.

Innovations in the cockpit design: teardrop-shaped canopy; a folding seat that reduces the effect of overload on the pilot; side control knob. The ejection seat can evacuate the pilot at any speed and altitude. The fighter airframe is made of 80% aluminum alloys, 8% steel, 3% composite materials.

F-16 has many modifications. Starting with the "Block 25" model, the radar visibility of aircraft has been reduced. A thin layer of gold is applied to the surface of the cockpit canopy doors. Thanks to this innovation, the incident radiation is evenly scattered and does not fall deep into the cabin. Starting with the Block 32 version, radar-absorbing materials were used in the manufacture of air intakes.

All parts and components of the fighter are unified. For example, the Pratt & Whitney brand engine is used on F-15 fighters. In addition, the F-16 aircraft has exactly the same landing gear and some aerodynamic elements (wings, horizontal tail, elevator).

The F-16 learned a lot from the third generation fighter F-4 / E (automated control system for missiles and bombs, electronic suppression equipment, hardpoints and uncoupling mechanisms, the same composition of ammunition). In contrast to the F-111 bomber, whose design included 250 types of fasteners, the F-16 has only 50 types of fasteners. In terms of dimensions, the F-16 combat vehicle is smaller than the F-14 or F-15.

The F-16 fighter has a pulsed Doppler radar, which allows it to see a target at a distance of 37 km in the lower hemisphere and 46 km in the upper hemisphere. On board the aircraft - permanent EDSU, ALQ REB, TACAN navigation system, chaff drop equipment, warning radar, computer for analyzing the situation in the air, flight and fire control.

Modifications

The development and production of the latest F16 models was carried out by an international consortium headquartered in the United States. The states that took part in the manufacture of the fighter: Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, England and the USA. The Dutch airline Fokker manufactured the center section, wings and flaps. Belgian Sabca - fuselage tail and vertical tail. The Belgian factory FN made F 100 motors.

In Europe, there were 3 assembly lines for the production of fighters. Most of the parts and mechanisms were manufactured at the American aircraft factory No. 4 in Fort Worth, and then transported for installation to the Netherlands and Belgium. American-made fighters had Dutch center sections and Belgian tail parts.

Modifications:

• F-16A - basic model, single-seat, multifunctional, used in the daytime;
• F-16В - 2-seat, combat training, produced since 1977;
• F-16С - single-seat, modernized, used by the Air Force since 1984;
• F-16D - 2-seat, combat training, release since 1984;
• F-16N and TF-16N - single and 2-seat variants made for the US Navy's Top Gun flight school;
• F-16ADF - air defense fighter for the US National Guard based on the F-16A;
• F-16С and F-16R - reconnaissance instead of RF-4C;
• FSX - an aircraft based on the F-16 to replace the F-1 bomber.

Modernization plans

The manufacturer plans to further improve the entire series of fighters. Combat vehicles must have CCV and AFTI. Improvements will affect the configuration and digital flight control system. The F-16XL will have a tailless design and improved maneuverability, greater non-stop flight distance, and more modern weapons.

Night Falcon and Block 50

Block 40/42 Night Falcon aircraft have been manufactured since 1988. The fighters are equipped with the LANTIRN system, APG-68(V) radar, digital flight control system, automatic terrain following system. The combat vehicle can carry AGM-88B guided missiles.

Installation additional equipment resulted in an increase in takeoff weight and strengthening of the landing gear. Since 1991, Block 50 and Block 52 aircraft have been produced. They are equipped with APG-68 radar, modern HUD and computer, chaff, SIP. New motors installed (F110-GE-229, F100-PW-220).

Air defense interceptor fighter

In 1986, 270 F16-A / B fighters were converted into air defense interceptor fighters. The aircraft were equipped with a new radar that tracks small objects, launchers for AIM-7 Sparrow guided missiles. Interceptors can lift as many as 6 AIM-120, AIM-7, AIM-9 missiles.

F-16CJ and F-16DJ

To replace the old F-4GWWV anti-radar fighters, the F-16CJ was created as part of the Block 50 series. The new planes were single-seat. All the work of the co-pilot was assigned to the computer. Several 2-seater F-16DJ series machines were produced. Fighters were used in pairs. They carried anti-radar missiles (AGM-88, AGM-45) and homing missiles (AIM-9 and AIM-120).

F-16V

Made in 2015 latest version- F-16V, it was called "Viper" ("Viper"). The machine is equipped with APG-83 SABR scaled radar antenna, SNIPER day and night aiming system. Lockheed Martin is going to upgrade all F-16Cs to F-16V or F-16S standard.

F-16I

2-seat F-16I was created on the basis of "Block 52" for the Israeli Air Force. The fighter was named "Thunderstorm" ("Sufa"). On-board equipment and armament of the F-16I aircraft are manufactured by the Israelis. Purchased - 102 cars. The cost of one aircraft is 70 million dollars.

Exploitation

The airline General Dynamics has made a lightweight and inexpensive F-16, which has long been in demand. The aircraft is in the Air Force fleet of 25 countries of the world. F-16s are still being manufactured and exported.

Is in service

Fighter in this moment operate such countries: Belgium, Bahrain, Venezuela, Greece, Denmark, Egypt, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal. The aircraft is operated Israeli Air Force. Aircraft were purchased by Singapore, Pakistan, Oman, UAE, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, Morocco, Chile.

About 34 fighters of this version were in service with Italy. The planes were in the air park Italian army from 2001 to 2012 under the "Peaceful Caesar" agreement.

Combat use

For the first time, an aircraft in the Israeli army fought in air battles in Lebanon in 1981. F-16s destroyed about 33–45 Syrian aircraft purchased from the USSR (MiG-23, Su-22). The Syrians shot down about 6 F-16 aircraft. The Israeli army used the F-16 for combat attacks in Iraq, Tunisia, Syria, the Gaza Strip. In 2018, Israeli aircraft were used in Syria, and one aircraft was hit.

The Jordanian Air Force used F-16 aircraft in 2014-2016 in the war in Syria and in the internal conflict in Yemen. In 2015, Iraq used a fighter jet to attack ISIS bases. The fighter was used to make combat sorties by the army of Venezuela and Morocco. In 1980–1988 American aircraft provided to Pakistan fought in Afghanistan.

The United States used the F-16 at the end of the last century in battles in Persian Gulf. For almost 5 years in the early 2000s, American aircraft fought in Iraq. Türkiye has operated light F-16s in local conflicts and in the war in Syria.