The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multifunctional multiplier (multirole) aircraft. The device can perform both precision bombardments and air combat. The F-16 is the most important part of the power of the Royal Air Force.

Main tasks

• Participation in strategic air operations, from which high-precision bombardments are performed with minimal chance of unintentional damage and civilian casualties.
• Granting support to own groundbreakers. Enemy units are shot and / or bombarded with high accuracy to prevent victims under their own units.
• Obtain and maintain airweight to thereby enforce the necessary freedom of action for its own air, sea and ground forces. This includes contributing to air embargoes such as enforcing a no-fly zone.
• Perform aerial exploration missions. Due to the high speed of the aircraft, a large area can be explored. The disadvantage of hunting planes in this role is the relatively short time they can explore. This is due to the high fuel consumption.

Specifications

• manufacturer: Lockheed Martin (designed by General Dynamics)
• Length: 15.05 meters
• height: 5,00 meters
• span: 9.45 meters (10.00 meters including missiles
• weight: 11,000 kilos (empty), 16,000 kilos (maximum load)
• Engine: 1 Pratt & Whitney 100-PW-220E Turbojet
• power: thrust pressure 15,000 lbs (25,000 lbs with post-combustion)
• top speed: 2,000 kilometers per hour
• Aerodrome: 2,700 kilometers without refueling in the sky
• flight altitude: 17 kilometers (maximum)
• number: 213 pieces (177 one-seaters and 36 two-seater), now 68 pieces
• in use with: Royal Air Force

Armament

Under the wings and fuselage of the F-16 there are a number of suspension points for bombs and missiles. The assignment determines the type of weapon that takes an F-16. Look at the Flight Army page for more information about the F-16 armament.

Midlife update

The Royal Air Force took the F-16 in use as a successor to the F-104 Starfighter, and later as a successor to the NF-5. The air force received the last F-16 of a total of 213 devices in February 1992.

The life of the F-16 was originally 20 years. Therefore, since 1998, the F-16s have undergone the midlife update (MLU). This has since been constantly developed. Modernization extends operational, technical and economic lifespan with around 20 years. The update includes the replacement of a large number of systems. For example, the F-16 MLUs received a new radar, 2 multifunction color shades, new computers and sensors and GPS.

The improved data demo (IDM) projects target information from the ground automatically to the head up display (HUD). The MLU also allowed the use of night vision equipment. Thanks to the evolving hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS), most selections of radar modes, weapons, data link and EWMS can be taken without removing the throttle and throttle buttons.

Additional tools

Since the MLU, several airborne exploration and target indicators can be hung at the air intake:

• The targeting pod supports the kite while detecting the goal and accurately throwing the weapon. The pod provides area target information and determines accurate locations for GPS-guided bombs. With the built-in laser, the laser-guided bombs can also be accurately thrown out. The system also calculates the best time of submission.
• RecceLite (exploration) is an advanced photo exploration system. The camera images can be sent directly from the air to specialists on the ground for analysis. On missions, the system will be used for route exploration and detection of improvised explosives.
• An electronic fault container can also be hung under the hull.

Replacement F-16

There are several reasons for modernizing devices for various reasons:

• Operational aging: The F-16 is less well-equipped for new conditions and threats.
• Technical aging: spare parts are more difficult to obtain. Wearing is harder to remedy and maintenance costs more time. This makes the F-16 employable.
• Economic aging: it is becoming increasingly expensive to counteract operational and technical aging.

After a comprehensive comparison, the F-35 Lightning II fighter plane came out as the best successor to the F-16. In September 2013, the Netherlands bought its first 2 devices. In 2019 the F-35 comes to the Netherlands.

Multirole and swingrole

The F-16 is both a swing and multirole device. Multirole means it can be used for multiple tasks, such as air support and air defense tasks. Provided that it is constantly adapted to the current threats, it has a long life span. The fact that it is also useful for a broad task package, contributes to the cost-effectiveness of the device.

Swing role means that the F-16 is not only useful for multiple tasks, but it can also quickly change these tasks. Concretely, if an F-16 is loaded with both a targeting pot and weapons, it may change its role during a mission.

F-16 demoteam

The F-16 Demo Team has been serving the Defense Card on National and International Aviation Events since 1984. The team demonstrates the spectacular capabilities of this type of fighter plane, the kite and the support team of coaches and technicians. Although the demonstration looks very spectacular, it is about standard maneuvers during real combat situations and training. What makes the show special is that all these maneuvers are performed shortly after each other and at very low altitude. For example, the movements take place up to 90 meters and the aircraft flies at high speed along only 30 meters high.

The show shows what the Royal Air Force stands for: airpower, so the Netherlands can fight for peace, freedom and security. It is precisely because of the fight against ISIS terrorist organization, the demoteam in 2016 will not be in action.

Thanks for your time

Related Posts,

https://steemit.com/planes/@braini/fighter-planes-in-action

https://steemit.com/planes/@braini/top-10-wwii-s-best-fighter-planes