The F-16D is the primary multi-role F-16 of the Israeli Tech Tree. It features a wide variety of payloads with various kinds of guided and unguided munitions, both domestic and not.
Air-to-Air capabilities
The primary Air-to-Air weapon of the "Lightning" is the Derby Active Radar Homing missile. It not only features impressive performance at short range, with maneuverability on par with the Python 3, but at long range due to its powerful rocket motor and large fins that allow it to hit maneuvering targets even at over 40km. Additionally, it has access to the AIM-9M Sidewinder missile which is a solid upgrade over the AIM-9L Sidewinder with a brand new smokeless rocket motor and electronic Infrared Counter-Countermeasures.
Air-to-Ground armaments
While the Barak II is an F-16, its main role is Close Air Support and that is something it can confidently do due to its massive selection of Air-to-Ground weapons:
- The GBU-39 GPS Guided Armor Piercing Glide Bomb allows it to engage stationary targets from long range and even penetrate the roofs of bunkers due to its Armor Piercing design.
- The GBU-15(V)2/B IR guided bomb features excellent glide performance and boasts a large amount of explosive filler and will make make short work of any ground (or even any air) vehicle that it lands close to.
- Additionally, the GBU-12 Paveway II is the ideal weapon to destroy any moving ground vehicle from any altitude (despite its somewhat limited range compared to the previous munitions) with multiple sizes available, ranging from the small but still deadly 277kg Paveway to the absolutely massive 943kg Paveway.
- Finally, you get access to the GBU-31 JDAM which is a GPS guided bomb with a large amount of explosives. While it's not the best it can still take out any vehicle that stays stationary for too long.
- And at last, the Mk 82, Mk 83 and Mk 84 Free-fall and their High-drag versions can still be utilized for a variety of roles despite their rather limited capabilities.
Flight Performance
The flight performance of the Barak II, while not the best, is still enough to win some one on one dogfights. It is an F-16 after all! However it is advised to still avoid engaging in dogfights and instead utilizing the Derby AAM to take out the enemy before they get too close. The engine of the Barak II is also quite impressive, with over 11,000 kgf, while it's slower than the F-15I, it will allow you to climb to altitude even with the heaviest payloads at a reasonable amount of time.
Survivability
Finally, for countermeasures, you get the absolutely amazing AN/ALR-56M digital RWR with directional and range information and 180 flare/chaff. The RWR will help you identify most threats and your large amount of countermeasures will help you defeat almost every missile fired at you.
Conclusion
So in conclusion, the F-16D Barak II is a jack of all trades but master of none. It is a nimble aircraft that excels at Close Air Support and can hold its own in a dogfight if needed. It can utilize its advanced weaponary to easily destroy both ground and air vehicles while remaining at a significant distance, utilizing its advanced RWR to identify and locate enemy aircraft with relative precision and being able to survive engagements utilizing its large amount of flares and chaff.
