Difference between revisions of "F-16A"

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Revision as of 14:38, 5 March 2023

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
This page is about the American jet fighter F-16A. For other versions, see F-16 (Family).
f_16a_block_10.png
GarageImage F-16A.jpg
ArtImage F-16A.png
F-16A
AB RB SB
12.3 12.7 12.7
Research:400 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:1 080 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The F-16A Block 10 Fighting Falcon is a rank VIII American jet fighter with a battle rating of 12.3 (AB) and 12.7 (RB/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 156 km/h
Turn time19 s
Max altitude15 240 m
EnginePratt & Whitney F100-PW-220
Type
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight14 t

The F-16A is famous for its ability to accelerate while going vertically. Its turn rate and thrust are amongst the best in the game.

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 4000 4000 15240 20.0 20.2 261.1 248.3 850
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 7,690 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 8,662 kg 9,913 kg 10,930 kg 16,849 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 1.04 0.90 0.82 0.53
Optimal 7,434 kgf
(1,555 km/h)
15,225 kgf
(1,400 km/h)
1.76 1.53 1.39 0.90

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

The F-16A is very strong in a dogfight due to its excellent TWR and energy retention, its highly manoeuvrable and can easily reach its top speed even when climbing. Its so good that you will often experience the effects of the G-limit, so when making a sharp turn keep that in mind.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 148 → 4 388 Sl icon.png
RB9 094 → 12 677 Sl icon.png
SB10 725 → 14 950 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications304 000 Rp icon.png
468 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost3 100 Ge icon.png
Crew training310 000 Sl icon.png
Experts1 080 000 Sl icon.png
Aces3 400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 280 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 320 / 490 % Sl icon.png
250 / 250 / 250 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
480 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
33 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
51 000 Sl icon.png
1 000 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
480 Ge icon.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
M60_belt_pack
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods napalm fire bomb.png
BLU-27/B
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
AIM-9J
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
320 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Mk82
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
LAU-3/A
Research:
14 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
22 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
M60_new_gun
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
480 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Mk84
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
480 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods air to air missile.png
AIM-9L
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
480 Ge icon.png
Mods optical guided bomb.png
GBU-8
Research:
33 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
51 000 Sl icon.png
1 000 Ge icon.png
AGM-65B
Research:
33 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
51 000 Sl icon.png
1 000 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns) CCIP (Rockets) CCIP (Bombs) CCRP (Bombs)
Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png

Offensive armament

Main article: M61A1 (20 mm)

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

  • 1 x 300 gal drop tank
  • 2 x AIM-9J Sidewinder missiles
  • 6 x AIM-9J Sidewinder missiles
  • 6 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
  • 19 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (9,500 lb total)
  • 4 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (8,000 lb total)
  • 4 x BLU-27/B incendiary bombs
  • 4 x 2,000 lb GBU-8 bombs (8,000 lb total)
  • 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
  • 6 x AGM-65B missiles

Custom loadout options

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Hardpoints F-16A.png
500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs 3 3, 6 1 3, 6 3
2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs 1 1 1 1
2,000 lb GBU-8 bombs 1 1 1 1
BLU-27/B incendiary bombs 1 1 1 1
FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets 57 57
AGM-65B missiles 1, 3 1, 3
AIM-9J Sidewinder missiles 1 1 1 1 1 1
AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles 1 1 1 1 1 1
300 gal drop tanks 1
Maximum permissible loadout weight: 5,420 kg
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 2,000 kg

Usage in battles

The F-16A can be a powerful fighter with multiple playstyles, one option being simply rushing straight into battle. Players that plan to stay low and accelerate straight into action will be satisfied with the F-16's low-altitude performance 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 30-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.

With the AIM-9L Sidewinders, players 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.

Avoid entering a high-speed rate-fight with a MiG-29 at all costs as the MiG-29 is much more manoeuvrable at high speeds, however at low speed the F-16 is able to outturn the MiG-29 thanks to its better low speed handling.

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.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • High power-to-weight ratio gives it an incredible acceleration
  • Highly manoeuvrable at lower speeds
  • Able to carry a drop tank to extend flight time
  • Access to 6 x AIM-9L sidewinder missiles
  • Has access to a wide range to air-to-ground loadouts

Cons:

  • Does not have access to SARH missiles, limiting its BVR performance
  • Cannot pull tight turns at high speed
  • High fuel consumption with afterburner

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related development

External links


General Dynamics Corporation
Jet Fighters  F-16A · F-16A ADF · F-16C
Strike Aircraft  F-111A · F-111F
Export  ▄F-16A ADF · ▄F-16A · ▄F-16AM · ␗F-16A MLU · F-16AJ · Netz · F-16D Barak II · F-16C Barak II
  F-111C
See also  SABCA

USA jet aircraft
  Fighters
F9F  F9F-2 · F9F-5 · F9F-8
F-80  F-80A-5 · F-80C-10
F-84  F-84B-26 · F-84F · F-84G-21-RE
F-86  F-86A-5 · F-86F-25 · F-86F-2 · F-86F-35
F-89  F-89B · F-89D
F-100  F-100D
F-104  F-104A · F-104C
F-4  F-4C Phantom II · F-4E Phantom II · F-4J Phantom II · F-4S Phantom II
F-5  F-5A · F-5C · F-5E · F-20A
F-8  F8U-2 · F-8E
F-14  F-14A Early · ▄F-14A IRIAF · F-14B
F-15  F-15A · F-15C MSIP II · F-15E
F-16  F-16A · F-16A ADF · F-16C
Other  P-59A · F2H-2 · F3D-1 · F3H-2 · F4D-1 · F11F-1
  Strike Aircraft
FJ-4  FJ-4B · FJ-4B VMF-232
A-4  A-4B · A-4E Early
A-7  A-7D · A-7E · A-7K
AV-8  AV-8A · AV-8C · AV-8B Plus · AV-8B (NA)
A-10  A-10A · A-10A Late · A-10C
F-111  F-111A · F-111F
Other  A-6E TRAM · F-105D · F-117
  Bombers
B-57  B-57A · B-57B