The on-board computers have been significantly upgraded. Aircraft Blocks 10:15 have been updated for this pattern.į-16CJ-50C from 20 Fighter Wing (Shaw AFB) armed with air-to-air and SEAD ordnanceīlock 20 - Basically, a Block 15 OCU with many capabilities of the F-16 C/D Block 50/52: Using the AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-88 HARM and LANTIRN pod. It is the most numerous variant.īlock 15 OCU - The Block 15 OCU ( Operational Capability Upgrade) Has updated with inteface turbine digital control, ability to shoot missiles AGM-65, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and AGM-119 Penguin, updates on electronic countermeasures, cockpit, computers and data bus. Initially equipped with the Westinghouse AN/APG-66 radar Pulse Doppler and Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 with 106 kN of power.īlocks 1/5/10 - They have a few differences between them and the majority of aircraft Blocks 1 and 5 were upgraded to the standard Block 10.īlock 15 - The first major change in the F-16, Block 15 has larger horizontal stabilizers, radar AN/APG updated and enhanced ability to carry weapons. This is the main factor that enables the F-16 keep fighting for so long, despite the rapid technological evolution. The goal would be to maintain standardization between aircraft of the same block and implement these changes into already delivered aircraft, upgrading them to the new standard. Each block represents significant changes in the capabilities of the aircraft. The model F-16 are designated by a numerical sequence of blocks. This demonstrates the success of the program and for an aircraft in active production for thirty years.
Basically, the F-16 has remained in production due to foreign orders. In theory, new orders could still be fulfilled, but in practice, there is little interest in building more, due to the large number of F-16s that are in reserve at AMARC (Over 300 units), while awaiting delivery of the new F-35 Lightning II. The F-16 C/D aircraft is actively used by the U.S.
Air Force has suspended the use of F-16 A/B variants only F-16 C/D variants are currently in use (738 aircraft in October 2006 without including National Guard aircraft). Navy decided to evolve the design of the YF-17 for F/A-18 and, more recently, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, due to the apparent reliability of twin engines, which is considered vital for Naval operations. The F-16 was the chosen prototype, showing superior performance to the assessment committee The U.S. Two companies were chosen during the design stage: General Dynamics with the YF-16 design and Northrop with the design of YF-17 Cobra. Department of Defense specifications, developed in 1974. To this end, the F-16 can be equipped with a wide range of missiles or bombs. However, the F-16 was also designed for air-to-ground combat to support to ground forces, if necessary. To this end, the F-16 has a M61 Vulcan and can be equipped with air-to-air missiles. This offers the pilot excellent visibility, crucial when dogfighting. The F-16 is small and nimble, with the pilot sitting above the fuselage.
#F 16 cockpit code
Unlike other fighters, which had characteristics of specific jobs, such as F-104 Starfighter that was too expensive, and others made for specific operations on aircraft carriers like the F-14 Tomcat.Īlthough the official name of the popular F-16 is " Fighting Falcon"Is also referred to as" Viper," which was the code name at General Dynamics for the project during the design phase. It is much simpler and lighter than its predecessors, and uses aerodynamics and Electronic Avionics (including the first use of flight fly-by-wire, acquiring the nickname "e jet"), which helps it attain excellent performance.īasically, this sets it apart from predecessors, many of which were not designed to operate in all weather conditions. Since the beginning, the F-16 was designed as a workhorse of low cost, which could carry out various types of missions and be maintained at comparatively low expense.