RSAF F-16Ds
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Just noticed something very interesting about our F-16Ds shown on Ch8's special on this year's national day prep.
They have conformal fuel tanks... not sure if thats what they are called. Very interesting... never noticed them before.
Are those fuel tanks sitting beside the spine ejectable? -
u CAT 1 cleared? IF not, cannot tell u leh
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Firstly, even if I claim to be CAT 1 cleared, how u verify? Pls dun talk cock lar...
Anyways, I checked out some sites OFF the web...
Those things needs 2 hours to take out and remove. SO i guess they aren't really ejectable. Not like the old external fuel tanks. -
conformals have less drag compared to regular external tanks...but the drawback is that they can't be ejectable in flightOriginally posted by Shotgun:Firstly, even if I claim to be CAT 1 cleared, how u verify? Pls dun talk cock lar...
Anyways, I checked out some sites OFF the web...
Those things needs 2 hours to take out and remove. SO i guess they aren't really ejectable. Not like the old external fuel tanks. -
Yeah, from some readup, apparently the drag is negligible while subsonic, but increases (i'm not sure) exponentially as speed increases.
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they are the blk 52+ ordered in year 2000 delivered last year as part of the peacse carvin IV. The 6XX series.Originally posted by Shotgun:Just noticed something very interesting about our F-16Ds shown on Ch8's special on this year's national day prep.
They have conformal fuel tanks... not sure if thats what they are called. Very interesting... never noticed them before.
Are those fuel tanks sitting beside the spine ejectable?
All of them are f-16 Ds
One of the serial no. is 666. -
It's official that our F-16Ds have conformal fuel tanks. This mindef news release appeared on 29 Nov 04Originally posted by Shotgun:Just noticed something very interesting about our F-16Ds shown on Ch8's special on this year's national day prep.
They have conformal fuel tanks... not sure if thats what they are called. Very interesting... never noticed them before.
Are those fuel tanks sitting beside the spine ejectable?
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2004/nov/29nov04_nr2/29nov04_fs2.html
On 3 Jul 2004 , 145 Squadron began operating from Changi Air Base (East) with the induction of the F16D Blk 52 +, the latest in RSAF's inventory. The squadron will have a total of 20 F16D Blk 52 +. The F16D Blk 52 + is equipped with state-of-the-art Conformal Fuel Tanks, enhanced radar with greater detection range and improved ground mapping capabilities, and an advanced targeting pod, which will enable the Squadron to conduct precision day and night operations at a greater combat range and duration. -
lots of pictures here
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These are the Wild Weasels, USAF deploy them for Ground attack on strategic targets, Radar & SAM Sites attack.
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With all the upgrade with the Israel .....is our Viper better or equivalant to the block 60 F16 U .... UAE is using -
Another advantage of CFT is they free up hardpoints that used to be used for ejectable fuel tanks.
One thing I don't understand is, with the sophisticated avionics today, why do they still need to have a WSO in the F-16D. That's 1 more very costly person to train, 1 more possible casualty if the plane is downed. F/A-18, Rafale, Eurofighter, JSF can do interception and strike with 1 pilot. -
Quite simple, the WSO allows the pilot to concentrate on manovereing the aircraft.
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Several reasons actually.
The F-16 is a truly mult-role aircraft. Its very capable in both its A2A and A2G role. Just that the pilot may not be as capable.
Especially when taking on the Wild Weasel role, or SEAD role, a single pilot will be thoroughly stressed when he has to handle : Flying of the aircraft, firing of the HARM or Shrike, checking the EWS for additional threat, and evading the attacking missile if any. All that while trying figure out how many more secs til missile impact. IE, calculating missile closure rate relative to his aircraft's orientation.
So with 2 guys in the cockpit. The pilot worries about flying and evading the missile, while the WSO can worry about other threats.
Of course, I think the most fun the WSO has is guiding of PGM via targetting pod, and recording some really cool BDA videos. Again, the Pilot worries about flying, under the guidance of the WSO to the release point, and the WSO keeps and eye on the bomb from there. Fun huh?
2 heads are better than one.
Think about it, some of the most established aircraft in the business of dropping PGMs comes with crews of 2. The Strike Eagle, F-4Gs, even the F-14D Bomcats.
Btw I heard they were bringing back the SuperTomcat project. Anyone can verify? -
No..tom cats would be scrapped..and replaced by F/A18 super Hornets. US NAVY has already begun the scrapping / procurement exercise.
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Odd, cos I've already heard of SuperToms flying 4 v 4 with SuperBugs. The Toms won 14 out of 16 engagements.
I know they are already being taken off US carriers, but I just heard that they were re-evaluating the Super Tomcat's viability. -
targeting of air to ground guided munitions, especially TV/EO or laser guided weapons, where a high precision aiming of the targeting pod or weapon optics is required, combined with maneuvering the aircraft is a very demanding task for one pilot. The WSO is there to do all that, while the pilot flies the aircraft. The aircraft is more efficient and effective with a 2 man crew like this, especially in a high-threat environment.Originally posted by huaichien:Another advantage of CFT is they free up hardpoints that used to be used for ejectable fuel tanks.
One thing I don't understand is, with the sophisticated avionics today, why do they still need to have a WSO in the F-16D. That's 1 more very costly person to train, 1 more possible casualty if the plane is downed. F/A-18, Rafale, Eurofighter, JSF can do interception and strike with 1 pilot. -
was in Oceana NAS last year and talking to the CAG of Grim Reaper VF-101. seems that all the F-14 squadron will transit to FA-18F .. 2 seater also! while all the F-18C sqaudron will slowly transist to the FA-18E single seat!
Looks like VF-101 will retire this year in Sept, only 2 F14 sqdrn left on deployment now is the Tomcatters and Black Lions! All will be gone next year! No more tomcats!
There is advantage on having a WSO ( airforce ) or RIO ( NAvy) since the pilot can concentrate on their flying while the other on targetting and attacking.
DaveC -
was in Oceana NAS last year and talking to the CAG of Grim Reaper VF-101. seems that all the F-14 squadron will transit to FA-18F .. 2 seater also! while all the F-18C sqaudron will slowly transist to the FA-18E single seat!
Looks like VF-101 will retire this year in Sept, only 2 F14 sqdrn left on deployment now is the Tomcatters and Black Lions! All will be gone next year! No more tomcats!
There is advantage on having a WSO ( airforce ) or RIO ( NAvy) since the pilot can concentrate on their flying while the other on targetting and attacking.
DaveC -
F-16D Blk 52+.CFTs,Litening III, rumoured JMHCS Python 3/4 missile slave program.Originally posted by sgboy2004:u CAT 1 cleared? IF not, cannot tell u leh
Similar in specs to the F-16I Sufa.But the EW suite info is not readily available. -
its CO of VF-101, they are the F-14 training squadron. They don't belong to any airgroup.Originally posted by davechng:was in Oceana NAS last year and talking to the CAG of Grim Reaper VF-101. seems that all the F-14 squadron will transit to FA-18F .. 2 seater also! while all the F-18C sqaudron will slowly transist to the FA-18E single seat!
Looks like VF-101 will retire this year in Sept, only 2 F14 sqdrn left on deployment now is the Tomcatters and Black Lions! All will be gone next year! No more tomcats!
There is advantage on having a WSO ( airforce ) or RIO ( NAvy) since the pilot can concentrate on their flying while the other on targetting and attacking.
DaveC
Not all F-14 went to the F model, pukin dogs transition to E model, we got pictures of the show bird arriving at Oceana.
VFA-106 is now the fleet replacement squadron for F/A-18s on east coast. Pukin Dogs will stand up in early August.
VF-32 Swordsmen are still around too with the last F-14Bs. -
No point reviving the super tomcats since F22 Raptor project is hovering..
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Alert 5 , you are correct, not all f14 sqdrn went to the F model.
VFA106 did take over the Atlantic fleet training ! and so far for the upcomming oceana NAS airshow this year, there will be the last F14 demo from the Grim Reapers! Also! VF32 swordsman [robably be in for the show before being scrap!
DaveC! -
By the way..anyone knows why the F16 was renamed from Fight Falcon to Viper?
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This link explains it all.Originally posted by LRRP:By the way..anyone knows why the F16 was renamed from Fight Falcon to Viper?