IOC: 2004
Production: 102
Unitary Cost: USD$20 million
Also Known As:
Block 52+ F-16D, Storm
Origin:United States of America
Contractor/s:
Lockheed Martin
Description:
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a lightweight, compact fighter aircraft designed to perform a wide range of military mission profiles. More than 4,000 F-16s have been or will be produced for 24 nations worldwide. The first F-16A achieved initial operational capability in 1979. As of 2004, more than 11 million flight hours have been logged by F16s from 20 air forces worldwide. The United States Air Force remains the world's largest operator for the type with more than 1,200 units in service of all models. USAF's Block 50/52 cumulative mishap rate was 2.3 losses/mishaps per 100,000 flight hours in FY2004.
In air-to-air engagements the F-16 is highly maneuverable and in the air-to-surface role the aircraft has demonstrated the capability to accommodate any guided and unguided weapon. It carries internally a 20mm M61A1 gun for close-in air-to-air engagements. In addition, the F-16C/D is able to launch the AIM-9 Sidewinder and medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. To deliver precision guided munitions the Falcon can accommodate the LANTIRN targeting/navigation pod system, as well as the LITENING and others. The targeting and navigation pods have provided day and night, all-weather strike capability to the F-16 all along its service life.
The F-16C/D multi-role fighter can fly deep inside enemy territory, deliver precision guided munitions in non-visual conditions and defend itself against enemy aircraft even in day and night, adverse weather. This performance was demonstrated for the first time during the Gulf War in 1991. F-16C/Ds played a vital role during air campaigns over the former Yugoslavia (1999), Afghanistan (2001), and recently Iraq (2003).
The F-16I nicknamed 'Soufa', 'Storm' in Hebrew, is an advanced derivative of the proven Block 52 F-16D multirole aircraft designed specifically to meet the requirements of the Israeli Air Force. Under Peace Marble V program the United States will supply Israel with over 102 F-16Is from 2003/4 through 2008. The initial Peace Marble V program aimed Israel to purchase 50 F-16Is plus 60 additional aircraft as option.
The two-seat F-16I Soufa multirole aircraft features modern core avionics, moving maps, color cockpits, conformal fuel tanks, advanced electronic warfare displays, AN/APG-68(V)9 multimode radar, F100 improved performance engine, latest smart weapons compatibility and state-of-the-art navigation and targeting systems.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 2
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 20 mm
Dimensions: Height 4.9 m, Length 15 m, Wingspan 10.0 m
Weights: Max Weight 17,010 kg (37,500 lb), Min Weight 6,800 kg (14,991 lb), Payload 5,400 kg (11,905 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 29,100 lb (13,200 kg)
Performance: Ceiling 15,250 m (50,033 ft), Max Range 1,400 km (756 nm), Top Speed 698 mps (Mach 2.10)
Israel / 102 