![]() The two-seat F-16B Fighting Falcon was intended for training but retaining combat capabilities. The targeting and navigation pods have provided day and night, all-weather strike capability to the F-16 aircraft fleet all along its service life. To deliver precision guided munitions the Falcon can accommodate the LANTIRN targeting/navigation pod system, as well as the LITENING and the most recent Sniper XR. Besides, the F-16A/B is able to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile while the F-16C/D can be armed with the medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. It carries internally a 20mm M61A1 gun for close-in air-to-air engagements. 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 such as laser guided bombs and a variety of air-to-surface missiles. September, 2011 -inactive- transferred to Estrella Warbirds Museum, Paso Robles, CA to be preserved and used as a static display.March, 2004 -inactive- 'ED' - special characteristics: Unit Markings: 412 OG, Painted a red and white paint scheme and used by the 82nd TRW at Sheppard AFB as a GF-16.November, 1992 -active- USAF 416 TS 'ED'.October, 1983 -active- USAF 310 TFTS 'LF'.The aircraft was replaced by the far more capable F-35A Joint Strike Fighter beginning in 2015 through 2025. 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. As of 2004, more than 11 million flight hours have been logged by F16s from 20 air forces worldwide. ![]() The first F-16A achieved initial operational capability in 1979. More than 4,000 F-16s have been or will be produced for more than 24 nations worldwide. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a lightweight, compact fighter aircraft designed for air superiority performing a wide range of military missions ranging from air defense to air-to-ground strike missions. One has to imagine what that looked like driving down the freeway, only to be passed in the left lane, by an F-16B! It was quite a sight to see! Note: Several of the images above show this aircraft in previous unit colors This F-16B didn't quite 'fly' into Estrella Warbirds Museuem, it was driven on a flatbed truck. North American SNJ-5C AT 6D Cashen Texan.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |