AERODATA INTERNATIONAL N°16 GENERAL E S

s DYNAMICS Fighting Falcon

HISTORY • TECHNICAL DATA • PHOTOGRAPHS •

COLOUR VIEWS • 1/72 SCALE PLANS

BV2
D
Aerodata International
aircraft monographs are self-contained 20-page A4 size
booklets containing 1/72 scale multi-view plans, colour artwork,
Sketches, large photographs and narrative (including
technical data)—everything the modeller needs to know to
check the accuracy of plastic kits or scratch-build his own
replicas from wood or plastic. A special, additional wrap-
around inside cover gives a brief outline history of the subject
aircraft in French and German plus translations of the photo
captions and drawing annotations in those same two languages.
The series includes:

No. 1 Focke-Wulf 190A series by Peter G. Cooksley No.

2 Supermarine Spitfire I & Il by Philip J. R. Moves No. 3
North American P-51D Mustang by Harry Holmes No. 4
Messerschmitt Me 109E by Peter G. Cooksley No. 5 Hawker
Hurricane I by Philip J. R. Moves No. 6 Republic P-47D
Thunderbolt by John B. Rabbers No. 7 Handley Page
Halifax (Merlin-engined variants)
hy Philip J. R. Moves No. 8 Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress by
Philip J. R. Moves No. 9 Junkers Ju88A Series by Philip J.
R. Moves No. 10 Avro Lancaster MK I by Philip J. R. Moves
No. 11 Consolidated B-24 Liberator by Philip J. R. Moves No. 12
Heinkel He 111 by Philip J. R. Moves No. 13 McDonnell
Douglas F-15 by Philip J. R. Moves No. 14 McDonnell
Douglas F-4 by Philip J. R. Moves No. 15 Lockheed F-104
Starfighter by Philip J. R. Moves. No. 16 General Dynamics
F-16 Fighting Falcon by Philip J. R. Moves.

Plans and artwork by Alfred Granger, MISTO

Colour artwork by Roy Mills

Aerodata International Publications and their contents are

copyright @ Vintage Aviation Publications Ltd., VAP House,
Station Fields, Kidlington, Oxford, England, and no part may be
reproduced in any way without the prior permission of the
publishers. Trade enquiries would be welconie, but the
publishers regret that they cannot deal with readers' enquiries
concerning the content of Aerodata International Publications.

Printed by Visual Art Press Limited, Oxford, England First

published 1981. ISBN 0 905469 31 3
GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16 FIGHTING FALCON

By Philip J. R. Moyes

Fig. 1 An F-164 (left) and a Iwo-seat F-16B fighter/trainer. [All

photographs courtesy General Dynamics. ]
290%
Fig. 2 A pair of F-16As in a near-vertical climb. The F-16 pilor can use
the aircraft's instantaneous and sustained Og manoeuvre
capability ro force the enemy into high-g energy dissipating manoeuvres while
he maintains a commanding advantage in turn rate and accelerarion rates.
Fig. 3 In this view of the second Y7-16 on test, the marque's superbly
blended wing-fuselage is seen to advantage. Note the aperture for the
20mm cannon in the port strake.

One of the most important combat aircraft of the 1980s

and beyond, the F-16 Fighting Falcon represents a highly
successful attempt by General Dynamics to pro duce a new-
generation, single-engined, single-seat, multi-role light weight
tactical fighter to complement the relatively heavy,
elaborately equipped and expensive McDonnell Douglas F-
15 Eagle (Aerodata International No 13).
The Fighting Falcon's manoeuvrability and combat radius
exceed that of all threat aircraft while operating in the air
superiority role: In an air-to-surface role, it has an
exceptional mission radius of over 500 nautical miles
(926km), superior weapons delivery accuracy, and an
excellent self-defence capability. Because the F-16 is small, it is difficult
to detect, visually or with radar, and hard to hit.
Contributing to its superiority in the air combat role and
providing the basic qualities required for the air-to ground role are
the low wing loading, high-thrust engine - the Pratt & Whitney
F100 which was developed and proved on the F-15 - and
rugged structure. Added to these essential qualities are an
advanced digital fire con
trol and stores management system and nine store sta tions
with capacity for the carriage of up to 15,2001b (6895kg) of
external stores. The result is a superior multimission air-to-air
and air-to-ground tactical fighter. The F-16 has been dubbed
the Swing Force Fighter because of its ability to easily swing
from one. role to another.
Spanning 32ft 10in (10008mm) overall with tip mounted AIM-
9 Sidewinder missiles, 49ft 5.9in
(15085mm) long and having a basic design gross weight of
22,500lb (10206kg), the altogether exciting Fighting Falcon
was originally begun as a technology demon strator, two
prototypes being ordered in April 1972 under the United States
Air Force's Lightweight Fighter (LWF) programme. The first YF-16
flew on 20 January 1974 followed by the second on 9 May, by
which time the LWF programme had become the Air Combat
Fighter (ACF) programme with the promise of an initial USAF
order for 650 of the winning design, with an ex tensive
support depot in Europe.
The F-16 was eventually declared the winner of the ACF
competition in January 1975, the main factors
USAF
Fig. 4 The second YF-16 formating with iwo Convair F-1064
Delta Daris.

behind its selection being its overwhelming performance

ground and in flight. This rare milestone is considered and life
cycle cost advantages over its competitor, the virtually
impossible to achieve because of the complex Northrop YF-17.
Six months later, the F-16 was chosen nature of the aircraft, and
as far as is known it was the by four European members of
NATO – Belgium, Den- first time in the Fort Worth Division's
entire history mark, Holland and Norway - to replace their
ageing that it had delivered a plane with absolutely no
Lockheed F-104s (Aerodala International No 15). Also discrepancies
during that year came the start of a vast co-production In August
1978 Israel announced her intention of ac programme - the
largest international military co- quiring F-16s as the newest
addition to her fighter force. production programme in history -
wherein the in- Seventy-five aircraft were specified for the first
buy with dustries of the United States and the four European
potential for more later on. The F-16 has been in opera
nations just mentioned would share in the manufacture tional
status with the USAF and the Air Forces of of the F-16.
Holland and Belgium since 1979, and with the Danish,
Today, assembly lines are in operation at Fort Worth,
Norwegian and Israeli air forces since 1980. Texas;
Gosselies, Belgium; and near Amsterdam, The F-16 is due to
enter service with the Egyptian Air Holland. There are 33
major subcontractors in the four Force in early 1982, and at
the time of writing (March European industrial partner
nations, and these firms, in 1981) has also been ordered by
the South Korean Air turn, have placed second tier F-16
subcontracts with Force. Three countries currently
considering possible nearly 400 additional European firms.
General purchase of F-16s are Austria, Australia and Spain.
Dynamics, prime contractor for the Fighting Falcon, Total
currently planned F-16 production runs to more has placed
subcontracts for F-16 work with some 4,000 than 1,850 aircraft
of which 1,388 are for the USAF. US firms.
The Fighting Falcon incorporates a number of Some idea
of the fine production rate is given by the technologies and
design innovations which have not fact that by August 1980
over 200 F-165 had rolled off previously been combined in a
single aircraft. These in the three production lines. At Fort Worth
an unsurpass. clude forebody strakes to generate vortices that
permit ed quality mark was achieved when a truly "perfect"
buffet-free, divergent-free flight at high angles of at Fighting Falcon
was delivered to the USAF = a tack; wing-body blending for
both increased lift and in machine which was found to be
absolutely free of even ternal volume for fuel and essential
mechanical and minor defects after rigorous acceptance
testing on the avionic equipment; fly-by-wire - a complete
electronic

64
H065

Fig. 5 This F-16A may well be the first defect-free (roll-our tu delivery)
milirary aircraft ever produced. Tail codes "HI"signis Hill TFB, I rah. Fil. 6 1 -165 on
the production line at fori Hori.

flight control system; relaxed static stability – control

configured vehicle; variable wing camber - automatic leading-
edge manoeuvring flaps; side-stick controller - easy and
accurate control at high 'g': high accelera tion/high visibility
cockpit - tailored to meet the pilot's needs.
The technologies applied to the F-16 were selected and
integrated in such a fashion as to simplify the air craft and
reduce weight by several thousand pounds, thus reducing the
basic cost. In addition, the light weight of the aircraft is
achieved without extensive use of exotic materials or
degradation in strength.
The modular design approach - the forward fuselage,
the inlet, the centre fuselage, the aft fuselage, the tail unit,
and the wings are designed as modules - provides for case of
manufacture, growth and upgrading of technology. The airframe
is basically of conventional, riveted sheet metal construction
and is over 80% aluminium with selective use of graphite com
posites. Fuselage construction is of sheet metal skins stiffened
by formed and built-up sheet metal frames and longerons. In
areas where concentrated loads or func tional requirements
dictate, integrally machined bulkheads, spars, or beams are
used. Each wing skin is a single machined plate. Bonded
construction is limited to the wing control surfaces, rudder,
leading edge of the vertical fin, horizontal tail, and secondary
structure.
Design load limit of the F-16 is 9g with 100% internal fuel, in
contrast to current fighters with design load limits of 6.5g to
7.3g with 60 to 80% internal fuel.
Fig. 7 The F-16 pictured with an array of bombs, fuel tanks und other stores.

Fig. 8 Vine store stations provide lersa rility and large capacity.

M61 GUN

AIR-TO-AIA MISSILES
AIM-9

RADAR MISSILE GROWTH

RADAR MISSILE GROWTH : __ FACE TANKS 190 x

270 wat) ---0-
__ 0--0
E CM POUS FUEL TANKS (300 C & 370 GAL)

Standard armament of the Fighting Falcon is a 20mm rapid-fire

(6,000 rounds per minute) Vulcan M61 cani non, housed in the
port leading edge strake, and AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red
heat-seeking air-to-air missiles (AAMs). Six AIM-9s can be
carried on external store stations and need not be down-loaded
for air-to-surface missions. Sparrow and Sky Flash all-weather
AAMS have also been launched from a F-16 prototype. The
Fighting Falcon is also capable of deploying a wide range of
other external ordnance, from USAF inventory missile
launchers and bomb racks carried on its nine ordnance
stations - one of which is located on the fuselage centreline,
six being under the wings and two on the wing tips. The pylons
can accommodate a max imum payload capacity of 15,2001b
(6,895kg) of fuel tanks, conventional free-fall bombs and
dispenser weapons, the latest in laser and TV-guided
munitions, countermeasure pods, and other special
payloads.
The F-16's avionics complement is designed to pro vide effective
performance for both air-to-air and air 10-surface missions. The
fire control system – in cluding radar, head-up display, and pilot
controls - has been configured for "eyes out of the cockpit
operation to eliminate any requirements for the pilot to look
away from the target. The key fire controls have been
integrated to provide the pilot with quick-reaction, fingertip
control of displays and weapons from the throttle, flight control
stick, and integrated stores management sct.
FREE FALL BOMBS MK-82 - TER
TER

MK-83

MK-83 — *•_••__. MK 84 - _.-.

GUIDED BOMOS

DISPENSERS -
-
TEROO
0
QO TER

AIR-TO-GROUND MISSILES

--

CAPACITY (LB) =_ = LOAD FACTOR (9) —

250 250 2500 9.0 9.0 5.5
3500 5.5
2200 5.5
3500 5.5
2500 250 250 5.5 9.0 9.0
HARD POINT CAPACITY = 15,200 LBS

66

102

6V2

PLATE 1

GENERAL DYNAMICSF-16A FIGHTING FALCON LA TSVAH HAGANA LE

ISRAEL/HEYL HA'AVIR (ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCE/AIR FORCE)

SCALE 1/96
RESEARCH: A. GRANGER © ARTWORK: ROY MILLS

102
Fig. 9 F-16 maintenance requirements have been minimised by the
use of extensive built-in rests, self-tests, and status indicarors, and by the
provision of quick-access panels for inspection and servicing. Siro per cent of
the aircraft's surface is removable.
HEAD UP DISPLAY (HUD) GLASS
3 STANDBY MAGNETIC
CLOCK COMPASS
0

HUD CONTROL PANEL

OXYGEN FLOW INDICATORG
HYDRAULIC PRESSURE INDICATORS
(8) EPU FUEL QUANTITY INDICATOR
GOOOOOO
PLATE 2 GENERAL DYNAMICS
F-16A FIGHTING FALCON COCKPIT LAYOUT (5)
STANDBY ATTITUDE INDICATOR
FUEL FLOW INDICATOR
-UHF CHANNEL (9)
FREQUENCY INDICATOR LTACHOMETER
NOZZLE POSITION INDICATOR

(12) ATTITUDE ALTIMETER DIRECTOR

FUEL INDICATO
QUANTITY INDICATOR
CABIN
CABIN PRESSURE ALTITUDE INDICATOR
1010

AIRSPEED/MACH INDICATOR
STORES CONTROL PANEL
VERTICAL VELOCITY INDICATOR
SIDE-MOUNTED CONTROL COLUMN (SIDE STICK)

HORIZONTALE SITUATION
INDICATOR

RADAR DISPLAY 22
CAUTION LAMP 23 PANEL
LIQUID 24 OXYGEN
QUANTITY
INDICATOR RADAR WHEELS DOWN CONTROL INDICATING LAMPS
PANEL (27)
ENGINE & JET FUEL! STARTER CONTROL PANEL 25 26
ELECTICAL SYSTEM CONTROL PANEL
SIINTEILE

UHF RADIO CONTROL PANEL

EPU CONTROL PANEL
30
ARRESTING HOOK SWITCH 29

IFF CONTROL PANEL 32

IFUEL SYSTEM CONTROL PANEL

THROTTLE GRIP 35
MANUAL CANOPY CONTROL
TEST SWITCH PANEL
LANDING (37) GEAR
HANDLE

OXYGEN CONTROL PANEL

A.Granger. MISTO
CANOPY JETTISON HANDLE (38)
FEET METRES

SCALE 1/72
PLATE 3 GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16A FIGHTING
FALCON
F-16 B
2 SEAT CA

STATIC DISCHARGERS
TE

TEMPERATURE PROBE

GREEN NAVIGATION LIGHT 3

AIM-9 MISSILE
GREEN NAVIGATION LIGHT

MISSILE LAUNCHERS)

WHITE LIGHT (BOTH SIDES)

NON
WHITE LIGHT (9)

GREEN NAVIGATION LIGHT (3)

(13) SPEED E
FULLY I
RED NAVIGATION LIGHT
ANGLE OF ATTACK SENSI (BOTH SIDES)
CHAFF/FLARE DISPENSER
(16)

RED NAVIGATION LIGHT

(11)

© A.Granger. MISTC
24 TAXI LIGHT
LANDING LIGHT 25
2 THREAT WARI
A AIR-TO - GROUND IFF/UHF COM
LOWER ANTENNA

70

2 SEAT CANOPY
GREEN NAVIGATION LIGHT
www

STATIC DISCHARGERS
MA
MAN

AIR AEFUELING RECEPTACLE

A WWW

IO

TRUE PLAN OF STABILATOR

SANAN

WHITE LIGHT (BOTH SIDES)

(8)
WHITE STROBE ANTI-COLLISION LIGHT

RED NAVIGATION LIGHT

VIEW ON REAR & SECTION G

TI T2 T3
SPEED BRAKES FULLY OPEN
AMMUM

15
‫اليا‬

ATTACK SENSOR (14) DES)

PAPAN
(17) M61A1 20mm GUN PORT
VARIABLE - AREA JET (22) NOZZLE OPEN
ED NAVIGATION LIGHT
FORWARD SIDE OF LIGHT WHITE FORMATION LIGHT AFT
SIDE OF LIGHT FLOOD LIGHT FOR AIR REFUELING
TACAN UPPER ANTENNA 19
WING SECTION AT ROOT (18)
www

STABILATOR SECTION AT ROOT

21
ANA
 WHITE - NAVIGATION
LIGHT

THREAT WARNING ANTENNA

VARIABLE AREA JET NOZZLE REDUCED
LOAD NO LOAD
LOAD
IFF/UHF COMMUNICATIONS
BFF/UHF COMMUNICATIONS
620 =
LOAD
10
2 NO LOAD
ARRESTOR HOOK
09
SPEED BRAKES FULLY OPEN(13) SPEED
BRAKES FULLTV abe
PLATE 4 GENERAL DYNAMICS
F-16B FIGHTING FALCON REAR COCKPIT LAYOUT

SIDE STICK OVERRIDE LAMP SIDE STICK SELECTOR

INDICATOR
2
20
CODIDO
3 ACCELEROMETER
SODODO
RADAR DISPLAY (14)
STANDBY ATTITUDE INDICATOR 15
FUEL FLOW INDICATOR 16 VERTICAL VELOCITY
INDICATOR
UHF CHANNEL 18 (17
FREQUENCY INDICATOR
39602
TACHOMETER 19
NOZZLE POSITION INDICATOR
FUEL 21 QUANTITY
INDICATOR ALTIMETER
CLOCK 22
OXYGEN ATTITUDE (10
FLOW DIRECTOR
INDICATOR INDICATOR
HORIZONTAL SITUATION INDICATOR
HYDRAULIC CAUTION
PRESSURE LAMP
INDICATORS PANEL
WHEELS DOWN
INDICATING LAMPS
STORES CONTROL PANEL
AIRSPEED/ MACH INDICATOR
 ARRESTING 8 HOOK SWITCH
0

LANDING GEAR HANDLE

(24

FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL PANEL

26 SIDE STICK
25
TOETO
O
INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROL PANEL
11!

UHF RADIO CONTROL PANEL 27

GROUND SAFETY LEVER (IN SAFE POSITION)

OXYGEN CONTROL PANEL

EMERGENCY RELEASE HANDLE
EMERGENCY OXYGEN 33) MANUAL CONTROL
AM

SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT SWITCH

EJECTION SEAT (BOTH COCKPITS)

A.Granger. MISTC
32 EJECTION HANDLE
INERTIAL REEL LOCK/UNLOCK (35) MANUAL LEVER
Fig. 10 Handover of the Israeli Air Force's first four F-los, including this two-
sear B model, took place ar Fort Worth on 3/ January 1980. The firs/F pilo/s
and maintenance personel were frained or Hill 1 B. ltali. This particular machine carried Israeli
insignia on the upper and lower surfaces of both wings. Fig. 11 The second Israeli F-16.1. fail
number /02. on les from fori lorth in /9861. Il carried US insignia on the upper and lower
surfaces of both wings.
PLATE 5

A. USAF F-164 of 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hill AFB.

B&C. First F-16B supplied to Israeli Defence Force/Air Force (La Tsvah
Hagana Le Israel/Heyl Ha'Avir).

D. F-16A of Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske

Luftforsvaret).

E. Belgian Air Force (Force Aérienne Belge) F-164.

F. F-16B 2-searer of Royal Danish Air Force (Kongelige Danske

Flyvevåben).

G. F-164 of Royal Luchtmacht).

Netherlands Air
Force
(Koninklijke
568

Fig. 12 Ar one time, the second Y7-16 sported an experimental white

and pale blue camouflage scheme, as shown in this in-flight refuelling
scene.

The F-16's coherent, pulse doppler fire control radar,

isolation and replacement of system components on the
furnished by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, pro- flight line.
These and other efficient maintenance vides all-weather
acquisition, detection and track of air- features allow the F-16 to
be supported with fewer direct borne targets under clear or
ground clutter en- maintenance personnel than contemporary
lighter air vironments. For the air-to-surface mission, the radar
craft. provides real-beam and expanded ground map modes The
F-16 has sufficient range to get to the battle with for all-weather
target acquisition as well as doppler enough combat fuel
allowance to stay with the fight. beam sharpening for 8:1
improvement in azimuth Compared with the present-day
fighter aircraft it will resolution. Multiple weapon delivery modes
provide replace, the F-16 has over twice the combat radius on an
delivery accuracies superior to other fighters under air superiority
mission with each aircraft carrying its visual conditions and
second only to the General design air-lo-air armament and
flying the same combat Dynamics F-111 under blind-
bombing conditions. manoeuvres. One of its most attractive
features is its uni
The F-16 has a complete set of navigation equipment, paralleled
fuel economy. It consumes one-half of the including a highly
accurate inertial navigation set. Com- fuel of an F-4 Phantom
and 17% less than an F-104 munications include both UHF and
VHF voice com- Starlighter when performing the same mission.
During munications sets. The aircraft also has a passive threal- an
exercise in 1980, a clean F-16 from Hill AFB, Utah, warning
system with modular contermeasure pods to flew 125 to 150
miles (201 to 241km) into exercise counter airborne or
surface threats electronically.
airspace, stayed on station 25 to 35 minutes, entered The
avionics and other subsystems incorporate ad- several
engagements requiring the use of afterburner, vanced built-
in self-test, fault isolation and condition returned to base and
landed with 1,000lb (454kg) of the indicators to reduce time
and manpower needed for 6,9001b (3130kg) fuel load
remaining!

Fig. 13
Fine profile study of the Israeli Air Force's first F-16B.
001
Fig. 14 An F-/60 with a long-range fuel tank slung below its centreline releases a
alrd of borrbs.
Fit 15 F15 other of
H
of me Dutch Relean. Normal and Darrish Air Forcer seen
were European Participating Group (EPG) pilors are being
F
powered by the 18,000lb (8165kg) thrust General Elec tric J79
engine and intended to replace the Northrop F-SE Tiger II in
the air forces of those nations unable to afford - or barred
from receiving – front-line aireralt like the F-16. The
development aircraft, which first llew on 29 October 1980, is a
modified pre-series F-16B, and has a revised fixed-ramp inlet
and other major modifications to allow for the longer J79.

SPECIFICATION - F-16A
Writing in Air Force Magazine, published by the US Air
Force Association, Captain Wayne C Edwards, an F-16
instructor pilot with the 16th Tactical/Fighter Training
Squadron at Hill AFB, says: "The F-16 un doubtedly belongs to
a new generation. However, in terms of great fighters, most F-
16 pilots believe that over the long run it will carve out its own
place in the an nals of fighter aviation. I envision it becoming like
the P-51, F-86, or F-100 of previous generations – very prolific,
well utilized because of its tremendous capabilities, and highly
respected by the pilots lucky enough to fly it. There is, in my mind,
simply no other airplane in the world today I would rather take into
combat if it became necessary ... This is the airplane I
want to be teamed up with for the rest of my llying days."
Essentially similar to the single-seat F-16A multi purpose fighter
except for the aft cockpit is the two-seat F-16B lighter/trainer.
The B model carries about 1,100 fewer pounds (499 fewer
kg) of internal fuel but still sur passes earlier lighters in
agility, range and endurance.
Scheduled to be available for delivery from 1983 is the F-
16/79, a private venture intermediate export fighter
Powerplant: One 25,000lb-thrust Pratt & Whitney F-100 turbofan
with reheat. Dimensions: Span with missiles 32ft 10in
(10008mm), 31ft (9449mm) without missiles; length 4911
5.9in (15085mm); height 16ft 5.2in (5009mm). Weights: Empty
15,140lb (6,870kg); maximum take-off 35,400lb (16,060kg).
Performance: Max speed at sea level, Mach 1.2; max
speed at altitude, Mach 2-plus, service ceiling 60,000ft plus
(15,000m-plus). Armament: See text and diagram.

Fig. 16 In this 60deg climb our study of an F-16B with afterburner lit on
irs P&W F700 turbofan, a vortex from the leading edge can be seen
across the top of the inboard wing surface, underlining the lifi-generating
capabilities of the strakes ar low speed and high angles of attack.

AGS
RESCUE

F-16
Fig. 17 1 30deg inclined sear and raised heel-res line increase the
pilor's visibility, winning high praise from pilors for comfort.
The low canopi rails and the bubble canopi itself permit almost unlimited visibilir.

Fig. 18 Specks on the canopy aren't tolerated. This American air Han is
clearing of/ loose duse that might cause frouble. Prominent is the British Marconi-Erior/ heud-
up displur.

Fig. 19
A revealing close-up of the inter and undercarriage.
REMOVERERA
Fig. 20 One of four F-765 which visired Europe in 1979 ro dequutin the European air
forces with their new mount and to see if it would fit in their serers.
GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16

Zum ersten Mal im Januar 1974 geflogen, stellt die F-16

eine neue Konzeption von einmotorigem, einsitzigem
taktischem Jäger dar, der für eine Vielfalt von Einsatz
rollen bestimmt ist. Die neuesten aviatischen Techniken sind
hier wie bei keinem anderen Flugzeug angebracht worden,
um eine optimale Koordination des Piloten mit seiner
Maschine zu ermöglichen. Das Ergebnis ist ein Jäger, der
kleiner, leichter und einfacher als frühere Typen aber der
dennoch über eine beispiellose Wend barkeit und
Einsatzfähigkeit verfügt. Sie wird ihre Überlegenheit beim
Luftkampf gegen alle feindliche Jäger der Gegenwart
und der absehbaren Zukunft behaupten können. Die
geringe Tragfläche, der kräftige Turbo-Fächermotor (der
bewährte Pratt and Whitney F100, der für die McDonnell Douglas
F-15 Eagle ent wickelt wurde) und die robuste Konstruktion der
F-16 tragen wesentlich zu ihrer Überlegenheit beim Luft kampf
bei und sind die Voraussetzungen für wirksame
Luft/Boden-Operationen. Ihre Wirksamkeit wird durch ein
hochentwickeltes, computorgesteuertes Kanonen und
Raketensystem gesteigert, sowie durch die neun
Tragvorrichtungen, die ihr erlaubt, bis zu 6895kg
Ausrüstungen an den äußeren Flächen zu tragen. Im Januar
1973 hat die USAF der F-16 den Preis als der beste neue
Luftkampfjäger verliehen und sechs Monate danach wurde die
F-16 von den Luftwaffen Belgiums, Dänemarks, Hollands
und Norwegens (deren Regierungen die EPG - European
Participating
Governments - bilden) als Basis der Modernisierung ihrer
Streitkräfte gewählt. Gleichzeitig mit der of fiziellen
Anerkennung der USAF wurde zum ersten Mal ein
gemeinsames Produktionsprogramm eingeführt, nach welchem
die Flugzeugindustrien der EPG-Länder bei der Herstellung
von F-165 mitwirken würden. Im August 1978 machte Israel
bekannt, daß sie die F-16 zur Ergänzung iher Luftstreitkräfte
gewählt habe. Die F-16 soll im Frühjahr 1982 bei der
ägyptischen Luftwaffe in Dienst gestellt werden und ist letztlich
(März 1981) von der süd-korcanischen Luftwaffe bestellt worden.
Die geplante Produktion beläuft sich zur zeit auf insgesamt
1850 Maschinen, von denen 1388 für die USA bestimmt sind. Im
wesentlichen der F-16A ähnlich mit Ausnahme des hinteren
Cockpits ist die zweisitzige F-16B Jäger/ Schulflugzeug.
Das B-Modell trägt etwa 499kg wenig Brennstoff im
Bordtank aber übertrifft trotzdem frühere Jäger an
Wendbarkeit, Dienstreichweite, und Leistungsfähigkeit.
Voraussichtlich ab 1983 lieferbar ist die F-16/79, ein
Mittelstreckenjagdflugzeug auf Privatinitiative für den
Exportmarkt entwickelt und von dem 8165kg – Schubkraft
General Motors Electro J79 Motor betrieben. Sie soll die
Northrop F-SE Tiger II ersetzen bei den Luftwaffen jener
Nationen, denen es wirtschaftlich unmöglich – oder gesetzlich
verboten ist - über Frontflugzeuge wie die F-16 zu verfügen.
Die Entwicklungsmaschine, die zum ersten Mal am 29
Oktober 1980 flog, ist der Umbau einer Vorserien - F16B,
bei welcher die Installierung des längeren J79 zu
beträchtlichen Modifizierungen, insbesondere des fest
abgedachten Motoreinlasses, geführt hat.

Abb. 1 Eine F-764 (links) und eine zweisitzige F-16B Jager/ Flugzeug.
(Alle Aufnahmen mit freundlicher Genehmigung von General
Dynamnics abgedruckt.)
Abb. 11 Die zweite israelische F-16, Leitwerk-Nummer 102, bei eihem
Test/lug von Fort Worth im Jahre 1980. Sie trug das Abzeichen der USAF an den
oberen und unteren Flachen beider Flugel.

Abb. 12 Diese Aufnahme der YF-16 beim Flugtanken zeigt das

hellblaue Tarnbemalungsmuster mit dem sie zu einem Zeitpunkt ver
suchsweise lackiert wurde.
Abb. 2 Zwei F-16As bei fase senkrechrem Steilflug. Mit der
Fähigkeit der F-76 sofortige und anhaltende Manöver bei
Erdbeschleunigungskraften von 9 g auszuführen, kann der Pilor
feindliche Jäger zu hoch-g Manövern zwingen, wobei sie viel Energie
rwenden, indem die F-76 mir ihrer uberlegenen Hendbarkeit und
Beschleunigungs einen entscheidenden Vorteil bekommt.
Abb. 13 Diese Aufnahme hebt das Profil der ersten F-168 der
israelischen Luftwaffe deutlich hervor.

Abb. 14 Eine F-164 mir einem Langstrecken-Kraftstoffrank an der Rumpf-

Tragvorrichtung wirft einen Stoß Bomben ab.
Abb. 3 Dieses Photo, bei einem Probeflug der zweiten F-16
aufgenommen, hebt den glatten Übergang vom Flügel zum Rump/
deutlich hervor. Zu beachten ist die Luke für die 20mm Kanone in der Backbord -
Flugelwurzelverkleidung.
Abb. 15 F-16Bs der Luftwaffen von Holland, Belgien, Norwegen und
Däremark zusammen aus dem Flugplatz in Hill Air Force Base, wo EPG Piloten
ausgebilder werden.
Abb. 4 Die zweite YF-16 fliegt in Formation mit zwei Convair F-
1064 Defra Dars.

Abb. 5 Diese F-164 ist wahrscheinlich das erste militarische Flugzeug,

dessen Produktion vom ersten Protyp zum Serienmodell liet. ohne
jeglichen Defekt auf weisen. Die Leitwerk - kodebuchstaben HL
bezeichnen Hill AFB. Urah.
Abb. 16 In dieser Aufnahme einer F-/6B ist die Wiedererwärmen -
Anlage ihres P +W F700 Turbo-Fächermotors eingesert worden. Der Luftwirbel,
der sich vor der Vorderkanie über die obere Flache des int neren Flügelteils
dehnt, hebr die auftriebsordenden Eigenschaften der
Flügelwurzelverkleidung bei geringer Geschwindigkeit und
großen Angriffswinkeln hervor.

Abb. 6 Montage von F-/6s in Fort Worth.

Abb. 7 Aufnahme der F-16 mit einer vollen Ausrüstung von Bomben,
Kraftstofftanks und sonstigen Vorräten.
Ab. 17 Eine 30° Neigung des Führersitzes sowie eine gehobene Ab
sarzstürze vergrößern das Blickfeld und tragen zum Komfort des
Cockpits bei, den von den Piloten gelobt worden ist.
Das niedgrige
Kanzeldachgesims und die blasenartige Form der Kanzel selbst gewähren eine
fasi unbeschrankre Sicht.
Abb. 8 Neur Trag vorrichtungen sorgen für die große An
passungsfähigkeit sowie große Tragfähigkeir der F-16.

Abb. 9 Eingebaute Schalteinrichtungen, Selbstprüfungsanlagen und

umfangreiche Anzeigeinstrumente sowie zahlreiche Schauklappen gewährleisten
die Anspruchslosigkeit der F-16 in der Wartung. 60% der äußeren Fläche des
Flugzeugs ist abnehmbar.
Abb. 18 Sraub an der Kanzelscheibe wird nicht gedulder. Dieser
amerikanische Flieger wischt lockeren Staub ab, der ihr die Siche stören könnte
Die Aufnahme hebr die von der britischen Firma Marconi-Elliott gebauten HUD
(Anzeigeeinrichtung im Kopfhöhe) deutlich hervor.

Abb. 19 Eine Nahaufnahme, die den Lufteinlaß und das Fahrwerk

deutlich zur Schau stellr.
Abb. 10 Erste Lieferung von vier F-16s an die israelische
Luftwaffe, darunter dieses zweisitzige B-Modell, fand in
Fort Worth am 31 Jan mar 1980 starr. Die ersten IAF Piloten und das
Wartungspersonal wurden in Hill AFB. Utah, ausgebilder. Die Machine im Bilde
trug das israelische Hoheits-Abzeichen an den oberen und unseren Flächen
beider Flugel.
Abb. 20 Eine von vier F-lós die 1979 Europa besuchten, um die
europäischen Luftwaffen mit ihrer neuen Flug- Maschine bekannt
zumachen, und um festzustellen, ob sie in ihren Flugzeugs-Haller unterzubringen war.
BILDTAFEL I General Dynamics F-6 Fighting Falcon der israelischen
Luftwaffe

BILDTAFEL 2
(1) Scheibe der Head Up Display (Anzeigeeinrichtung in
Kopfhöhe) (2) Uhr (3) Reserve-Magnetkompass (4) Instrumententafel der
HUD (5) Reserve – Fluglageanzeiger (6) Sauerstoffstrom - Messer (7)
Kraftstoffverbrauchsmesser (8) Wasserdruckanzeiger (9) UHF = Frequenz-
Anzeiger (10) Tachometer (11) EPU = Kraftstofftankmesser (12) Strahldüsenwinkel = Anzeiger
(13) Fuhrerraum - Luftdruck/Hohenmesser (14) Ausrüstungs = Steuertafel (15)
Luftgeschwindigkeits/Mach - Anzeiger (16) Fluglagesteuerungs - Anzeiger (17)
Höhenmesser (18) Kraftstofftankmesser (19) Steilfluggeschwindigkeitsmesser
(20) Sciten – Sicuersäule (21) Horizontalfluglage - Anzeiger (22) Radarschirm
(23) Warnlampentafel (24) Flüssigsauerstofftankmesser (25) Motor- und
Düsenkraftstoff - Steuertafel (26) Steuertafel der elektrischen Einrichtungen (27)
EPU - Steuertafel (28) Anzeigelampen fur ausgefahrenes Fahrwerk (29)
Landehaken – Schalter (30) EPU = Steuertafel (31) UHF = Radiosteuertafel (32)
IFF - Steuertafel (33) Kraftstoff – Steuertafel (34) Kanzeldach -
Handsteuerschalter (35) Drosselklappenhebel (36) Prüfschaltertafel (37)
Fahrwerkhebel (38) Kanzeldach - Abwurthebel
BILDTAFEL 4
(1) Seitensäule - Überschaltungslampe (2) Seitensäule – Wahlanzeiger (3)
Beschleunigungsmesser (4) Anzeigelampen für ausgefahrenes Fahrwerk
(5) Kraftstoff - Steuertafel (6) Ausrüstungs – Steuertafel (7)
Luftgeschwindigkeits/Mach - Anzeiger (8) Landchaken = Schalter (9)
Fahrwerkhebel (10) Hohenmesser (11) Fluglagesteuerungs = Anzeiger (12)
Horizontalfluglage - Anzeiger (13) Warnlampentafel (14) Radarschirm (15)
Reserve - Fluglageanzeiger (16) Kraftstoffverbrauchmessser (17)
Steilfluggeschwindigkeitsmesser (18) UHF - Frequenzanzeiger (19)
Tachometer (20) Strahlduseneinstellungs - Anzeiger (21)
Kraftstofftankmesser (22) Uhr (23) Sauerstoffstrom – Messer (24)
Wasserdruckanzeiger (25) Innenbeleuchtungs = Schalttafel (26)
Seitensaule (27) UHF – Steuertafel (28) Bodensicherheitshebel (auf "sicher'
cingestellt) (29) Sauerstoff – Steucrtafel (30) Sitzhöhe - Einstellschalter (31)
Not - Auslöschebel (32) Schleudersitz – Hebel (33) Norsauerstoff - Handhebel (34)
Schleudersitz (in beiden Cockpits) (35) Trägheitstrommel – Handhebel
(Ver-/Entriegelung)

BILDTAFEL 5 A USAF F-16A der 388 Tactical Fighter Wing. Hill AFB B&C
Die erste F-16B, die der israelischen Verteidigungswaffel
Luftwaffe (La Tsuah Hagana Le Israel/Heyl Ha Avis)
geliefert wurde D F-16A der königlichen norwegischen Luftwaffe
(Kongelige
Nobke Luftforsvaret)
F-16A der belgischen Luftwaffe (Forze Acrienne Belge) Zweisitzige F-16B der
koniglichen danischen Luftwaffe
(Kongelige Danske Flyvevaben) F-16A der königlichen niederländischen
Luftwaffe (Konink
lijhe Luchtmacht)
G
BILDTAFEL 3
(1) Electrostatische Entlader (2) Zweisitz - Kanzeldach (3) Grünes
Positionslicht (4) AIM-9 Rakete (5) Raketenabschußvorrichtung (6)
Temperatursonde (7) Luftankens - Anschlußklappe (8) Weißes Licht (an beiden
Seiten) (9) Weißes Licht (10) Wahre Draufsicht des Stabilators (11) Rotes
Positionslicht (12) Weißes stroboskopisches Zusammenstoß- Warnlicht
(13) Luftbremsen (voll ausgefahren) (14) Angriffswinkel – Sensor (an beiden
Seiten) (15) Ansicht von hinten (16) Abwurfanlage für Störfolie bzw.
Leuchtkugeln (17) M16 AL 20mm Kanone an der Backbordseite (18)
Durchschnitt des Flugels an der Wurzel (19) Obere Abrenne der TACAN
(Taktische Luftnavigation)
20) Vordertcil des Lichts = weißer Positionslicht. Hinterteil des
Lichts - Scheinwerfer für Lufttanken (21) Durchschnitt des Stabilators an der Wurzel
(22) Einstell – Strahlduse (offen) (23) Weißes Positionslicht (24) Rolllicht (25)
Landelicht (26) Untere Antenne für IFF/UHF Funkverkehr vom Boden zum
Flugzeug (27) Antenne für Angriffswarnanlage (28) Ruhend belastet (29)
Landehaken (30) Einstell - Strablduse
TECHNISCHE DATEN

Triebwerk: Ein 11,340kg Pratt & Whitney F-100 Turbo

Fächermotor mit Wiedererwärmenanlage Abmessungen:
Spannweite mit Raketen 10.008m; ohne Raketen 9.449m
Gesamtlänge 15.085m; Gesamthöhe 5.009m Gewicht:
Leergewicht 6,870kg; maximales Startgewicht 16060kg.
Leistungen: Höchstgeschwindigkeit (beim Meeresspiegel) Mach
1.2, Höchstgeschwindigkeit bei Hochflug über Mach 2:
Dienstgipfelhöhe über 15,000m.
Bewaffnung: Siehe Text und Bildtafeln.