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General Dynamics F-16A/AFTI Fighting Falcon Aircraft Data
The General Dynamic, now Lockheed Martin, F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight, day-time Visual Flight Rules (VFR) fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft.
The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it has proven a success on the export market, having been selected to serve in the air forces of 25 nations. Though no longer being bought by the U.S. Air Force, advanced versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.
In order to evaluate unconventional control of an aircraft in flight, the Flight Dynamics Laboratory of the Air Force Systems Command sponsored an Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) program. On Dec 26, 1978, General Dynamics was awarded a contract to convert the sixth FSD F-16A (#75-0750) into an AFTI aircraft.
The AFTI F-16 was fitted with twin canard surfaces mounted below the air intake. The aircraft was also fitted with a bulged spine which housed additional electronics. It had a full-authority triplex Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) and an Automated Manoeuvring Attack System (AMAS), providing six independent degrees of freedom.
An unusual piece of cockpit equipment is the Voice-Controlled Interactive Device (VCID). This voice control system (with a dictionary of 32 to 256 words) is used to control the AFTI's avionics suite.
Another technique tested in the AFTI F-16 was a helmet-mounted target designation sight. Instead of using a traditional throttle-mounted cursor control to designate the target, the AFTI pilot only needs to look at it, and align the target with the 0.5in (12.7mm) cross hairs incorporated in his visor. By depressing the designate button, target lock is achieved and minor adjustments can be made by using the cursor controller. Also, the FLIR and radar are automatically slaved to head movement.
The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it has proven a success on the export market, having been selected to serve in the air forces of 25 nations. Though no longer being bought by the U.S. Air Force, advanced versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.
In order to evaluate unconventional control of an aircraft in flight, the Flight Dynamics Laboratory of the Air Force Systems Command sponsored an Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) program. On Dec 26, 1978, General Dynamics was awarded a contract to convert the sixth FSD F-16A (#75-0750) into an AFTI aircraft.
The AFTI F-16 was fitted with twin canard surfaces mounted below the air intake. The aircraft was also fitted with a bulged spine which housed additional electronics. It had a full-authority triplex Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) and an Automated Manoeuvring Attack System (AMAS), providing six independent degrees of freedom.
An unusual piece of cockpit equipment is the Voice-Controlled Interactive Device (VCID). This voice control system (with a dictionary of 32 to 256 words) is used to control the AFTI's avionics suite.
Another technique tested in the AFTI F-16 was a helmet-mounted target designation sight. Instead of using a traditional throttle-mounted cursor control to designate the target, the AFTI pilot only needs to look at it, and align the target with the 0.5in (12.7mm) cross hairs incorporated in his visor. By depressing the designate button, target lock is achieved and minor adjustments can be made by using the cursor controller. Also, the FLIR and radar are automatically slaved to head movement.
- Country of Origin: United States
- First Flight: 1982
- Initial Service Date: 1982
- No. Built: 1
- No. In Service: 0
- No. of Hardpoints: 8
- Crew: 1
Power:
1 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100 turbofan at 23,830 lbf
Weapons:
1 x 20-mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon with 500 rounds
AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, a wide range of disposable ordnance (free-tall and guided), drop tanks and electronic pods (ECM, reconnaissance and targeting)
AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, a wide range of disposable ordnance (free-tall and guided), drop tanks and electronic pods (ECM, reconnaissance and targeting)
Dimensions:
| Length: | 49 ft. 4 in. |
| Wing Span: | 32 ft. 10 in. |
| Wing Area: | 300 sq.ft |
| Height: | 16 ft. 5 in. |
| Empty Weight: | 14,567 lbs |
| Max. Weight: | 33,000 lbs |
| Max. Ordnance Load: | 20,450 lbs |
| Max. Payload: | 33,000 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 1,320 mph |
| Service Ceiling: | 50,000+ ft. |
| Max. Range: | 2,415 nm |
Random great photos of the General Dynamics F-16A/AFTI Fighting Falcon:
