From 2022, Ukraine is expecting delivery of F-16 aircraft, which promise to radically change the course of military operations. They are considered one of the most effective fighters. We have collected the most important facts about this type of aircraft.
The F-16 was developed by the American company General Dynamics for the US Air Force in 1975.
The main advantage of this aircraft is that it is multi-role. The F-16 can serve as both an attack aircraft and a fighter, as well as a bomber. In addition, it is capable of operating in an offensive and defensive role, shooting down missiles, enemy aircraft and drones.
Ukraine will be allocated, according to various sources, from 60 to 80 F-16s. In the summer of 2024, our country will receive only 10% of the total number of promised aircraft. According to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, to dominate our skies we need 120-130 such aircraft.
The total number of such aircraft worldwide, according to the Flight Global portal, is 2810. In total, since 1974, when the first such fighter appeared, 4.6 thousand F-16s have been produced.
In the summer of 2024, 12 Ukrainian pilots will complete the training program to fly F-16 aircraft. For 10 months they were trained in Europe and the USA.
Depending on the version and configuration of the F-16, its cost ranges from 35-55 million dollars.
This aircraft is in service with 24 countries: the USA (899 units as of 2022), Turkey (260), Egypt (207), Israel (196), South Korea (162).
The F-16 was used during US and NATO combat operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. And Israel used this aircraft in the Lebanon War, the Second Intifada and in Syria.
This aircraft was nicknamed the Fighting Falcon in honor of the emblem of the US Air Force Academy. However, F-16 pilots gave another unofficial name to this aircraft – Viper (English: “Viper”) – due to some external resemblance of the F-16 to a snake.
The F-16 has a single engine located in the rear fuselage. The smooth interface between the wing and the fuselage of the aircraft allows for additional lift at high angles of attack.
The design uses mainly aluminum alloys. To ensure ease of operation, the aircraft has 228 hatches and removable panels.
The cabin is equipped with a regenerative air conditioning and pressurization system. The ejection seat ensures that the aircraft can remain parked and in flight at a speed of 1,100 km/h at altitudes of up to 15 thousand m.
The aircraft control system is electronic-remote with quadruple redundancy.
- Wingspan – 9.45 m
- Aircraft length – 15.03 m
- Aircraft height – 5.09 m
- Wing area – 27.87 sq.m
- Landing speed – 226 km/h
- Maximum speed – 2410 km/h at an altitude of 12,200 m
- Practical range – 1315 km, ferry range – 3890 km.
- Maximum overload – 9g
The “stuffing” of the F-16 is one of the most advanced in the world among 4th generation fighters.
A six-barreled General Electric M61-A-1 aircraft gun (6 thousand rounds per minute, 511 rounds) is installed on board the aircraft.
The F-16 has no problems with the combat arsenal; it can carry 7.7 tons of various weapons on 11 suspensions (two anti-aircraft missiles on the wing extremities, six pylons under the wings and three under the fuselage).
The main fuel supply, sufficient for a flight of more than 3,700 km, is located in the wings and two fuselage fuel tanks. The F-16 also has the ability to store additional fuel in drop tanks or perform in-flight refueling.
The aircraft has a multifunctional airborne radar AN/APG-83 with a target detection range of up to 370 km, as well as the ability to track 20 air or ground targets simultaneously.