F-16A ADF

This page is about the American jet fighter F-16A ADF. For other versions, see F-16 (Family).

F-16A ADF

F-16A

F-16C

F-16A ADF

F-16A

F-16C

USA

VIII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
12.7	12.7	13.0

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:200 000

Purchase:1 100 000

Show in game

Description

The F-16A Block 15 ADF Fighting Falcon is a rank VIII American jet fighter with a battle rating of 12.7 (AB/RB) and 13.0 (SB). It was introduced in Update "Apex Predators".

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear

Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Max speed

at 10 973 m2 146 km/h

Turn time19 s

Max altitude15 240 m

EnginePratt & Whitney F100-PW-220

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight15 t

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics	Max speed (km/h at 10,973 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	2,093	2,063	15240	20.3	20.6	252.7	240.2	850
Upgraded	2,198	2,146		19.3	19.8	340.8	295.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
X	✓	✓	✓	✓	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1,555	482	N/A	470	463	~10	~3

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< ___	< ___	< ___	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220		1	7,970 kg		___ kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with internal fuel (no weapons load)			Max Gross Weight
Weight (each)	Type		8m fuel	20m fuel	29m fuel
1,470 kg	Afterburning low-bypass turbofan		8,942 kg	10,193 kg	11,210 kg	12,914 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	8m fuel	20m fuel	29m fuel	MGW
Stationary	6,490 kgf	8,985 kgf	1.01	0.88	0.80	0.70
Optimal	7,434 kgf (1,555 km/h)	15,225 kgf (1,400 km/h)	1.71	1.49	1.36	1.18

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear482 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 174 → 4 424

RB9 162 → 12 771

SB10 789 → 15 039

Total cost of modifications316 000

486 000

Talisman cost3 200

Crew training310 000

Experts1 100 000

Aces3 600

Research Aces1 350 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

90 / 320 / 500 %

256 / 256 / 256 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 16 000 Cost: 24 000 330 New boosters Research: 24 000 Cost: 37 000 490 Wings repair Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 410 Engine Research: 100 000 Cost: 155 000 2 000	Fuselage repair Research: 16 000 Cost: 24 000 330 Airframe Research: 24 000 Cost: 37 000 490 Cover Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 410	Flares/Chaff Research: 16 000 Cost: 24 000 330 M60_belt_pack Research: 16 000 Cost: 24 000 330 G-suit Research: 24 000 Cost: 37 000 490 AIM-9L Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 410 M60_new_gun Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 410

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The F-16A ADF is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon, wing root-mounted (512 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon + 60 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The F-16A ADF can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:

• 1 x 300 gal drop tank
• 2 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
• 6 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x AIM-7M Sparrow missiles

Custom loadout options

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
AIM-7M Sparrow missiles			1		1
AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles	1	1	1		1	1	1
300 gal drop tanks				1

Usage in battles

The F-16A ADF can be a powerful fighter with multiple playstyles, rushing straight into battle or hanging high and utilizing the AIM-7M Sparrows. Players that plan to stay low and accelerate straight into action will be satisfied with the F-16's low-altitude performance and radar. Players that want to keep high and sling AIM-7Ms at targets will be more than pleased with the F-16's strong climb rate, range of the AIM-7M, and radar. A mixed countermeasure loadout (1 flare, 1 chaff) is recommended because it allows 30 countermeasure drops against radar or IR missiles. In order to be prepared for matches that may extend longer than usual, select the 20-minute fuel option in conjunction with the 300-gallon drop tank. The F-16 consumes a lot of fuel on afterburner, so it's essential to use it wisely unless the max fuel amount is selected.

The AIM-7Ms must be used wisely since only 2 Sparrows can be carried simultaneously. For long-range, high-altitude fights, seek out targets closing in fast. Do not fire at targets already about to notch or beginning to notch. AIM-7Ms are excellent for these types of engagements due to their range and manoeuvrability. As for low-altitude engagements, look for targets closing in fast and at around 500 metres altitude or above. Do not fire at targets that are flying very close to the ground because the radar will track underneath the intended target, and the missile will miss. As for AIM-9L Sidewinders, players can be more generous with them since the ADF can carry up to 6 AIM-9Ls. If a player finds themselves above the fight, it will be effortless to fire off missiles at distracted enemies and score kills quickly. AIM-9Ls are very strong from the rear aspect and require hard defending from the opponent to evade successfully.

The F-16 is very strong in a dogfight due to its excellent TWR and energy retention. Before entering a dogfight, however, it's critical to be at the correct speed. The F-16 has a very wide turning circle at high speeds, so make sure to stay around 800-850 km/h (497-528 mph) when entering a dogfight.

Countering the MiG-29

The MiG-29 is a very versatile and capable fighter and will be one of the most common enemies you will face. However, like many planes, it's possible to counter it. It's one of the fastest jets on the deck (~1,550 km/h, 963 mph) and has access to a helmet-mounted sight, which allows the player to lock the missile in the direction of the pilot's view rather than just along the nose of the aircraft. This allows for off-bore missile launches which can be a threat. It's important to be on the lookout all the time for any missile launches, whether it be an R-60M or an R-27T.

In a dogfight, the F-16 will easily outperform a MiG-29 due to its superior low-speed handling. It should be noted that the F-16 can be a bit "floppy" at low speeds , and if not corrected, can lead to being shot down.

F-16A ADF has excellent hidden sustain turn performance only available to those using sim controls due to the artificial G-limiter (which is actually just aggressive control stiffness/"compressibility") of the aircraft.

The MiG-29 at high altitude can be dangerous if the opponent utilizes R-27ERs. The R-27ER has superb range, acceleration, and manoeuvrability. To counter this, stay on the lookout for MiG-29s and R-27ERs and be prepared to go into a notch position and drop chaff. The R-27ER burns for 9 seconds which allows it to be spotted for a long time before the motor burns out. The F-16 will not be able to fight BVR against a MiG-29 unless it gets the jump/fires the missile far in advance. The R-27ER is a much quicker missile than the AIM-7M, and the R-27ER will reach its intended target much faster than the AIM-7M, even if launched at the same time.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent acceleration and climb rate, the former of which helps the F-16 recover from the lower speeds that it can dogfight at
• Excellent energy retention
• Excellent manoeuvrability at low to medium speeds
• Decent top speed
• 20 mm Vulcan cannon has high velocity and rate of fire
• Six powerful missiles: up to six all aspect AIM-9Ls and up to two potent SARH AIM-7Ms
• Drop tank available to extend range
• Bubble canopy with excellent unobstructed 360° visibility gives great situational awareness in simulator mode

Cons:

• Lacks any air-to-ground suspended ordnance whatsoever
• Internal M61 cannon has a small ammo pool
• Very poor manoeuvrability at higher speeds (above around 850km/h) due to angle of attack (AOA) limiter
  • Staying at these higher speeds is ideal for general air combat, but greatly limits manoeuvring and dogfighting ability
  • At these speeds, poor nose pointing ability makes it troublesome to lock Sidewinders, get an ACM radar lock, or aim the gun
  • Only by going below these speeds (thus getting slow) does any semblance of dogfighting ability whatsoever begin to be gained
  • Acceleration can be "too good": Poor high speed manoeuvrability combined with excellent acceleration and energy retention means heavy down-throttling and air braking is practically required to drop below these speeds to dogfight
• Very hot engine temperature
• Extremely high fuel consumption on afterburner

History

In the mid-1980s, after the deactivation of the USAF Air Defense Command, the ANG (Air National Guard) was tasked with defending North American airspace from Soviet bombers. To complete this task, 270 F-16A/Bs were to be converted into ADFs (Air Defense Fighters) at Ogden Air Logistics Center in Utah. General Dynamics carried out the first conversions and then sent kits to Ogden to complete the conversion. The ADF conversion included upgrading the AN/APG-66 radar to improve target acquisition of small targets, IFF for distinguishing friendlies and foes (AN/APX-109), and a 150,000-candlepower night spotlight for identification.

The first F-16 ADF was delivered to the Oregon Air National Guard in March 1989. Conversions started from 1989 to 1992, with around 270 airframes converted to ADF F-16s. However, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, there was no longer a purpose for the F-16 ADF. The Air National Guard F-16s were to be slowly phased out and were either converted back to the original F-16A/B configuration or placed in storage. The North Dakota ANG had the last few F-16 ADFs in service until they were retired in 2007. Since the F-16 ADFs in storage had low flight hours, they were sold to other countries like Jordan (Peace Falcon program) and Thailand (Peace Naresuan IV program.)

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the F-16A ADF from live.warthunder.com.

Images

• 

  4-blade "bird slicer" antenna on the nose of the F-16A ADF (AN/APX-109)

See also

Related development

• F-16 (Family)

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.