User manual

Aerosoft F-16 Fighting Falcon 1.00 Manual
Page 8 of 46
MODELS AND PRODUCTION
In 1975 when the U.S. Air Force started its production, Belgium, The Netherlands Denmark and Norway
followed with their orders a few months later, bringing the initial program to 998 aircraft. Ten years
later, 17 air forces in 16 nations had ordered more than 3,000 F-16s. In 1983 the 1000
th
aircraft was
delivered, the 2,000
th
in 1988, the 3000
th
in 1991 and the 4000
th
in 2000. During its production time the
F-16 had of course extensive changes, i.e. choice of engines, night attack capabilities etc. The MLU (Mid-
Life Update) started in 1991, modernizing the avionics with the latest technologies, cockpit and the
latest weapons and added ‘over the horizon’ capability. Nowadays more than 4,200 F-16’s have been
delivered to 19 countries. F-16s are notoriously difficult to divide into models and variants. ‘Blocks’ and
‘models’ are intertwined into a bewildering list. But here are the most important variations.
Block 1,Block 5 and Block 10 for USAF and the first European countries.
Block 15 two hardpoints added to the chin of the inlet, larger horizontal tails, wide-angle Head-
Up-Display, system for ‘over the horizon’ weapons.
Block 20 increased maximum weight for 9 g maneuvers, MLU cockpit, avionics and other
provisions
Block 25 First F-16C/D models, increased multi role capacity.
Block 30/32 two new engines: F110-GE-100 and F100-PW-220. computer memory expansion
and seal-bonded fuselage fuel tanks
Block 40/42 Various modifications/product improvements in.clude the chaff/flare dispenser
and the advanced radar warning receiver.
Block 50/52 Capable of using the Lockheed Martin low-altitude navigation and targeting for
night (LANTIRN) system.
Block 60 larger fuel tanks for greater range, new cockpit displays, an internal sensor suite, a new
mission computer and other advanced features including a new agile beam radar.
Block 60/62 Projected development, subject to customer demand. No firm configuration,
specifically designed for the United Arab Emirates.
F-16A Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 turbofan, rated at 12,240 lb.s.t. dry, 14,670 lb.s.t. full
military, and 23,830 lb.s.t. with afterburning.
Maximum speed: Mach 2.05 at 40,000 feet. Service ceiling 55,000 feet. Maximum range 2400
miles. Initial climb rate 62,000 feet per minute.
Dimensions: wingspan 32 feet 9 1/2 inches, length 49 feet 3 1/2 inches, height 16 feet 8 1/2
inches, wing area 300 square feet.
F-16B Standard tandem two-seat version of F-16A; fully operational both cockpits; fuselage
length unaltered; reduced fuel.
F-16C Current production version, capable of all-weather operations and compatible with
Beyond Visible Range (BVR) missiles.
F-16D Standard tandem two-seat version of F-16C.
F-16 Mid-Life Update (MLU) provides the A and B models with new radar, cockpit and
computer, which makes it possible to fly night and day missions and in all weather conditions.
In its complete development the external model hardly changed at all. Because of the excellent
aerodynamic and structural design of the original F-16, the external lines never needed serious change.
The F-16’s growth potential, however, has been fully utilized. The aircraft has undergone six major block
changes incorporating four generations of core avionics, five engine versions, five radar versions, five
electronic warfare suites and two generations of most other subsystems.