General Dynamics F-16N Fighting Falcon Aircraft Data
Photo ID 88256 by Peter Boschert. USA Navy General Dynamics F 16N Fighting Falcon, 163270
In the mid-eighties, the US Navy was eagerly seeking a replacement for its aggressor training aircraft. Both the F-5 and A-4 were in service at the time. The Navy found that these aircraft were not longer to their satisfaction in fulfilling this task. These aircraft lacked the latest avionics developments and they were becoming obsolete very soon, with extensive maintenance being required. Also the lack of a high manoeuvrable and fast jet aircraft to perform this aggressor training was felt very badly. A decision was taken to develop a customised version of the F-16 to fill this gap.

The F-16N is based on the standard F-16C Block 30 and is powered by the General Electric F110-GE-100 engine. However, the F-16N has a strengthened wing and is capable of carrying an Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) pod on the starboard wingtip.

The ACMI pod allows details of air-to-air engagements to be transmitted to a ground station. Although the F-16N's are based on the early-production small-inlet Block 30 F-16C airframe, they retain the APG-66 radar of the F-16A/B. However, they have no cannon or ASPJ and carry no missiles. Their EW fit consists of an ALR-69 radar warning receiver (RWR) and an ALE-40 chaff/flare dispenser. The F-16N's have the standard Air Force tailhook and undercarriage, and are definitely NOT carrier capable.
  • Country of Origin: United States
  • First Flight:
  • Initial Service Date: 1988
  • No. Built: 22
  • No. In Service: 0
  • No. of Hardpoints: 9
  • Crew: 1

Power:

1× General Electric F110-GE-100 turbofan at 17,155 lbf

Weapons:

Dimensions:

Length: 49 ft. 5 in.
Wing Span: 32 ft. 8 in.
Wing Area: 300 sq.ft
Height: 16 ft. 0 in.
Empty Weight: 18,900 lbs
Max. Weight: 42,300 lbs
Max. Ordnance Load: 17,000 lbs
Internal Fuel: 7,160 lbs

Performance:

Max. Speed: 1,500 mph
Cruise Speed: 900 mph
Service Ceiling: 60,000 ft.
Normal Range: 295 nm
Max. Range: 2,100 nm

Operators:

US Navy

Random great photos of the General Dynamics F-16N Fighting Falcon:

Photo ID 88256 by Peter Boschert. USA Navy General Dynamics F 16N Fighting Falcon, 163270
Photo ID 237624 by W.A.Kazior. USA Navy General Dynamics F 16N Fighting Falcon, 163269
Photo ID 96234 by Nathan Havercroft. USA Navy General Dynamics F 16N Fighting Falcon, 163277
Photo ID 104350 by Peter Boschert. USA Air Force General Dynamics F 16N Fighting Falcon, 163273
Photo ID 60280 by Henk Schuitemaker. USA Navy General Dynamics F 16N Fighting Falcon, 163570
Photo ID 237648 by W.A.Kazior. USA Navy General Dynamics F 16N Fighting Falcon, 163269
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