How Many F-22s Does the Air Force Need?

| Published Friday, 25 June 2010

While we're excited by Defense Secretary Gates's decision to halt production of the F-22 at 187 planes, there is a lot ofdisbelief and confusion surrounding this decision. The confusionstarted as soon as the decision was announced, when Tony Capaccio atBloomberg News asked Gates about it:
Q: The F-22 decision is going to get scrutinized, now that your budget has emerged from the shadows, so to speak. Can you give a sense of whether this was a close call or a no-brainer? And once--and why--why couldn't you have bought more? Why wouldn't--why wouldn't it fill the role that the Joint Strike Fighter will be filling, that you outlined?

GATES: For me, it was not a close call. And the basic conclusion was that, first ofall, we have fulfilled the program. I mean, it's not like we're killingthe F-22. We will have 187 of them. That has--the 183 of that has beenthe program of record, as I recall, since 2005. So we are completingthe F-22 program. And the military advice that I got was that there isno military requirement for numbers of F-22s beyond the 187.
Q: But the Air Force advice. They've been badgering you with all sorts of analysis that they'd need 60 more.
GATES: That was their advice as well.
Q: It was their advice as well...
GATES: Yes.
Q: ... that you didn't need more than 187?
GATES: Yes.
Q: Really? OK.
Air Force magazine has been working on figuring out whether this is really what the Air Force wants, given that Air Force National GuardChief General Craig McKinley said as recently as February 26 that theyneed more than 183--and yes, 187 is technically more than 183, but notmeaningfully so. Gates has been somewhat cagey, but has conceded thatsome services were clearly not happy with his decisions. But Air Forcemagazine found that even Gates's spokesman, Geoff Morrell, is unclearon the hopes of the Air Force versus the dreams of DoD:
Q: The Air Force has been saying for some time that183 is not enough. Gen. Schwartz said in his confirmation hearings that381 was too high but 183 was too few. Adm. Mullen said last fall thathe thought the Air Force's number was 60 more.
A: Mullen said the Air Force should get 60 more?
Q: Mullen said that it was his understanding that the Air Force wanted 'about 60' more F-22s.
A: Well, that was some time ago. And as I say, this process has been underway for some months.
Q: So, to put a fine point on it, the Air Force never recommended buying more than the 187 aircraft?
A: That is correct.
The fact that the Air Force won’t come out and openly disagree withGates may be an indicator that there is real reform happening far ashow business is done at DoD. And if so, Gates' procurement strategy notonly reflects an emphasis on prioritizing current military threats, butalso a method for effectively targeting the usual "guerilla warfare”employed by the services and the Hill to protect pet projects.
But one thing that there's absolutely no confusion about is thatCongress is prepared to fight back on these cuts. Needless to say,we're rooting for the public's best national security interests over Congress's parochial concerns.

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Brazil may produce Russian fighter jets under license

MOSCOW: Russia may allow Brazil to produce its fifth-generation fighters under a license in the future, a senior Russian government official said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
"We are discussing with the well-known Brazilian company Embraer the transfer of technology and the constructionof facilities for the future licensed production of the aircraft,including the fifth-generation fighter," said Alexander Fomin, deputydirector of the Federal Service on Military-Technical Cooperation.
Russia's advanced multirole fighter is being developed by the Sukhoiaircraft maker, part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC),along with India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), under apreliminary intergovernmental agreement signed in October 2007.
The first prototype is scheduled to make its maiden flight before the end of 2009.
Last November, Russia and Brazil signed a series of agreements on military technology cooperation which emphasize the protection of intellectual property rights and technology secrets.
The agreements will facilitate the transfer of technology and the licensed production of the Russian aircraft in Brazil if Moscow decides to sign a contract with the South American country.
Meanwhile, Russia's Su-35 jet fighter is participating in an ongoingtender for the delivery of over 100 fighters to the Brazilian Air Force.
"We are actively participating in the Brazilian tender, which hasbeen reopened. It involves over 100 fighter planes. Russia has made abid in the tender with its Su-35 multirole fighter. The tender hasstiff requirements, involving not only the sale, but also thetransfer of technology. It is a key condition of the deal and Russia is ready to satisfy it," Fomin said.
Brazil wants a multirole fighter to protect its national airspace aswell as to keep track of smugglers in the Amazon basin and guard thecountry's offshore oil rigs. However, it also wants the multi-billiondollar contract to reenergize the domestic defense industry through home-grown production and as much technology transfer as can be afforded.

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Airpower: B-1Bs deliver firepower

ASIA: Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces inIraq and International Security Assistance Force troops inAfghanistan during operations April 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air ForceB-1B Lancer bomber destroyed an anti-Afghan forces staging area andseveral enemy positions in the area around Now Zad using guided bombunit -31s and -38s. Enemy forces had targeted coalition units usingheavy machine guns and automatic weapons prior to the bomber's arrival.
Coalition ground forces called in several NavyF/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18E Super Hornets to hit enemy targets in thevicinity of Kajaki Dam, including an enemy mortar position, observationposts, communication tunnels and a spotter position in a walled compound.A variety of GBU-series precision weaponry was used to carry out thestrike, which took place in response to anti-Afghan mortar fire.

An F/A-18C and a coalition fighter aircraftused a GBU-12 and GBU-38, as well as a strafing pass to strikeanti-Afghan forces spotted gathering in a staging area near Musa Qala. Enemy forces were engaged in readying rockets for launch againstcoalition units. The coalition aircraft struck a large group of enemycombatants, while the Hornet hit a series of pillboxes and bunkers inthe area. The Hornet also attacked enemy targets in Now Zad followingreports of enemy fire there.
Near Qarah Bagh, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show offorce to suppress enemy mortar fire against a coalition outpost. Theaircraft passed over the enemy mortar position, expending flares,prompting enemy forces to end their indirect fire attack.
A pair of A-10s performed a show of force to deter enemy aggressionin the Sheykhabad region in response to enemy gunfire against acoalition convoy. The maneuver succeeded in ending the firefight so theconvoy could continue on its mission.
A coalition aircraft and an A-10 executed shows of force nearLashkar Gah and Nangalam to prevent enemy activity in those locations.The aircraft supported coalition ground forces carrying out securityand reconstruction efforts.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
In total, 74 close-air-support missions were flown in support ofISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and routepatrols.
Nineteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissanceaircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Inaddition, two Navy aircraft provided tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 28 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom.These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition groundforces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch forreconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostileactivities.
Twenty-five Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part ofoperations in Iraq. In addition, three Air Force and coalition aircraftprovided tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs providedintra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughoutAfghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 125 airlift sortieswere flown, 500 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,250 passengerswere transported. Airlift included approximately 75,600 tons of aerialresupply cargo airdropped over Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On April 2, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 265 receiving aircraft.

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Sweden Makes Gripen Jet Fighter Offer to Greece

Sweden has positioned itself as a contender for the Greek jetfighter program by offering up its Gripen as an alternative to theFrench Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Boeing F-18E Super Hornet.
Greece is pursuing a two-round procurement strategy in its pursuit of a new state-of-the-art combat aircraft.The first round is to conclude this year and calls for an initialprocurement of 40 aircraft with an option for a further 20. Deliverieswould then take place in 2010 and 2011.

The Swedish proposal includes 30-40 new-generation, multiroleGripens built to NATO specifications, with delivery coming 24 monthsafter the contract is signed.Sweden also is offering up an intermediate solution, whereby Gripens that are already operational are provided to Greeceas a bridge until the new-build models arrive. These could be in Greekservice within six months of the contract being approved.
In addition, Sweden is offering infrastructure and maintenance support for the Greek Gripens, as well as extensive industrial cooperation and technology transfer.

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Boeing Unveils New International F-15 Configuration, the F-15SE

ST. LOUIS: The Boeing Company today in St. Louis unveiled the F-15 Silent Eagle (F-15SE), a new F-15 configuration designed to meet the future needs of international customers.
"The F-15 Silent Eagle is designed to meet our internationalcustomers' anticipated need for cost-effective stealth technologies, aswell as for large and diverse weapons payloads," said Mark Bass, F-15Program vice president for Boeing. "The innovativeSilent Eagle is a balanced, affordable approach designed to meet future survivability needs."

Improvements in stealth include coatings and treatments on theaircraft. With the added advantage of redesigned conformal fuel tanks(CFTs) that allow for internal weapons carriage, theSilent Eagle becomes a very attractive fighter for Boeing's international customers.
Depending on the specific mission, the customer can use the CFTs that are designed for internal carriage or change back to the traditional CFTs for optimum fuel capacity and external weapons carriage. The Silent Eaglewill be able to internally carry air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9and AIM-120 and air-to-ground weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB).
The standard weapons load used on current versions of the F-15 is available with the traditional CFTs installed.
The aircraft's canted vertical tails improve aerodynamic efficiency,provide lift, and reduce airframe weight. Another aerodynamicimprovement is the Digital Flight Control System, which improves the aircraft's reliability and reduces airframe weight.
Survivability improvements include a BAES Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS) working in concert with the Raytheon Advanced Electronic Scanning Array (AESA) radar.
Boeing has completed a conceptual prototype of the CFTinternal-carriage concept, and plans to flight-test a prototype by thefirst quarter of 2010, including a live missile launch.
The design, development, and test of this internal carriage system are available as a collaborative project with an international aerospace partner.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems isone of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing ininnovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world'slargest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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Taiwan Renews Push for F-16 Fighter Jets

Taiwan has renewed a drive to buy advanced U.S.-built F-16 fighter aircraft, confronting President Barack Obama with a delicate decision.
Detailing its arms shoppinglist for the first time since Obama took office, Taipei Economic andCultural Representative Office (TECRO) said Taiwan's current fighter force was inadequate to a potential threat from China. The largest part of Taiwan's air force, the F-5 fighter, has been in service for more than 34 years, said TECRO's spokesman.

"The planes now are obsolete and spare parts are difficult toobtain," said spokesman, Vance Chang, in an email response to questionsabout Taiwan's arms requests. China has built increasingly advancedfighters, the statement said, "therefore our air superiority capabilityis at a serious disadvantage."
"Taiwan's determination to defend itself is indisputable," it added.
Taiwan has been trying for 12 years to buy F-16 C/D models built by Lockheed Martin Corp of Bethesda, Maryland. The U.S. government is required by a 1979 law to provide Taiwan sufficient arms to defend itself.
Successive U.S. administrations, both Democratic and Republican,have managed the weapons flow to minimize fallout with China. In itsfinal years, former President George W. Bush's administration would noteven accept a formal request for the advanced F-16s, said theU.S.-Taiwan Business Council, which represents about 100 companies,including Lockheed Martin.
The United States "has an obligation to assist Taiwan to maintain acredible defense of its air space, which includes modern fighters,"said council president Rupert Hammond-Chambers.
Taiwan wants 66 F-16 C/Ds valued at up to US$4.9 billion to bolster 150 F-16A/B models it bought in 1992.
The State Department had no immediate comment on the statement from TECRO.
In October, the Bush administration notified Congress of possiblearms sales to Taiwan of up to US$6.4 billion, including Patriot"Advanced Capability" antimissile batteries, Apache attack helicoptersand Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
"We were eager to achieve a golden mean - a robust package of armssales that met Taiwan's immediate defense needs but was not perceivedin Beijing as undermining the progress in cross-strait relations," saidDennis Wilder, senior director for East Asian affairs on Bush's WhiteHouse National Security Council. "I believe we achieved that goal," he added in an email response to Reuters.
TECRO made clear Ma's administration was still seeking UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters built by United Technologies Corp's Sikorsky unit and design work on modern diesel-electric submarines.
These two items were cleared for release to Taiwan by Bush as partof a landmark arms offer in April 2001, but left out of the Octobernotification to Congress. The deals were held up for years, largely bypartisan hurdles to funding in Taiwan.
Wilder said the Bush administration had told Taiwan that it was notdenying it any of the weapons approved in 2001, but would leave thedecision to Obama.

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F/A-18 Hornet

All-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The single-seat F/A-18 Hornet is the nation's first strike-fighter. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air supportwithout compromising its fighter capabilities. With its excellentfighter and self-defense capabilities, the F/A-18 at the same timeincreases strike mission survivability and supplements the F-14 Tomcatin fleet air defense.
F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons fromair stations world-wide, and from 10 aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron proudly flies them. The Hornetcomprises the aviation strike force for seven foreign customersincluding Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain andSwitzerland.

The newest model, Super Hornet, is highly capable across the full mission spectrum: air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, air defense suppression and day/night precision strike. Compared to the original F/A-18 A through D models, Super Hornethas longer range, an aerial refueling capability, increasedsurvivability/lethality and improved carrier suitability. *Capabilityof precision-guided munitions: JDAM (all variants) and JSOW. JASSM inthe future*
Capabilities and Features
The F/A-18 Hornet,an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as afighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighterescort and forfleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.
History and Background
The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert Storm,shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targetswith the same aircraft on the same mission, and breaking all recordsfor tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability.
Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air missiles, recoveringsuccessfully, being repaired quickly, and flying again the next dayproved the aircraft's survivability. The F/A-18 is a twin engine,mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft. The F/A-18A and C are singleseat aircraft. The F/A-18B and D are dual-seaters. The B model is usedprimarily for training, while the D model is the current Navy aircraftfor attack, tactical air control, forward air control andreconnaissance squadrons. The newest models, the E and F were rolledout at McDonnell Douglas Sept. 17, 1995. The E is a single seat whilethe F is a two-seater.
The F/A-18 E/F acquisition program was an unparalleled success. Theaircraft emerged from Engineering and Manufacturing Development meetingall of its performance requirements on cost,on schedule and 400 pounds under weight. All of this was verified inOperational Verification testing, the final exam, passing with flyingcolors receiving the highest possible endorsement.
The first operational cruise of Super Hornet, F/A-18 E, was withVFA-115 onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on July 24, 2002, andsaw initial combat action on Nov. 6, 2002, when they participated in astrike on hostile targets in the "no-fly" zone in Iraq.
Super Hornet, flew combat sortiesfrom Abraham Lincoln during Southern Watch, demonstrating reliabilityand an increased range and payload capability. VFA 115 embarked aboardLincoln expended twice the amount of bombs as other squadrons in theirairwing (with 100% accuracy) and met and exceeded all readinessrequirements while on deployment. The SuperHornet cost per flight hour is 40% of the F-14 Tomcat and requires 75% less labor hours per flight hour.
All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter orattack roles or both, through selected use of external equipment toaccomplish specific missions. This "force multiplier" capability givesthe operational commander more flexibility in employing tacticalaircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario. The fighter missionsare primarily fighter escort andfleet air defense; while the attack missions are force projection, interdiction, and close and deep air support.
The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987incorporating provisions for employing updated missiles and jammingdevices against enemy ordnance. C and D models delivered since 1989also include an improved night attack capability. The E and F modelshave built on the proven effectiveness of the A through D aircraft. TheSuperHornet provides aircrew the capability and performance necessary to face 21st century threats.
General Characteristics, Super Hornet, E and F models

Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: McDonnell Douglas.
Date Deployed: First flight in November 1995. InitialOperational Capability (IOC) in September 2001 with VFA-115, NASLemoore, Calif. First cruise for VFA-115 is onboard the USS AbrahamLincoln.
Unit Cost: $57 million
Propulsion: Two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines. 22,000 pounds (9,977 kg) static thrust per engine.
Length: 60.3 feet (18.5 meters).
Height: 16 feet (4.87 meters).
Wingspan: 44.9 feet (13.68 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 66,000 pounds (29,932 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.8+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Range: Combat: 1,275 nautical miles (2,346 kilometers), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,660 nautical miles (3,054 kilometers), two AIM-9s, three 480 gallon tanks retained.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two.
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9Sidewinder, AIM-9X (projected), AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon,Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER (projected), Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-OffWeapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); Data Link Pod;Paveway Laser Guided Bomb; various general purpose bombs, mines androckets.
General Characteristics, C and D models

Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: Prime: McDonnell Douglas; Major Subcontractor: Northrop.
Date Deployed: November 1978. Operational - October 1983 (A/B models); September 1987 (C/D models).
Unit Cost: $29 million.
Propulsion: Two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines. 17,700 pounds static thrust per engine.
Length: 56 feet (16.8 meters).
Height: 15 feet 4 inches (4.6 meters).
Wingspan: 40 feet 5 inches (13.5 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 51,900 pounds (23,537 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.7+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Range: Combat: 1,089 nautical miles (1252.4 miles/2,003 km), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,546 nautical miles (1777.9 miles/2,844 km), two AIM-9s plus three 330 gallon tanks.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, SLAM,SLAM-ER, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint DirectAttack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines androckets.

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F-22 Raptor

The F-22A Raptor is the Air Force's newest fighter aircraft. Its combinationof stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics,coupled with improved supportability, represents an exponential leap inwarfighting capabilities. The F-22A Raptor performs both air-to-air andair-to-ground missions allowing full realization of operationalconcepts vital to the 21st century Air Force. The F-22A Raptor , a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force, is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances and defeat threats attempting to deny access to our nation's Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The F-22A Raptor cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.

General Features and Capabilites
A combinationof sensor capability, integrated avionics, situational awareness, andweapons provides first-kill opportunity against threats. The F-22ARaptor possesses a sophisticated sensor suite allowing the pilot totrack, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threats before beingdetected. Significant advances in cockpit design and sensor fusionimprove the pilot's situational awareness. In the air-to-airconfiguration the Raptor carries six AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9Sidewinders.
The F-22A Raptor has a significant capability to attacksurface targets. In the air-to-ground configuration the aircraft cancarry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions internallyand will use on-board avionics for navigation and weapons deliverysupport. In the future air-to-ground capability will be enhanced withthe addition of an upgraded radar and up to eight small diameter bombs.The F-22A Raptor will also carry two AIM-120s and two AIM-9s in theair-to-ground configuration.Advances in low-observable technologies provide significantlyimproved survivability and lethality against air-to-air andsurface-to-air threats. The F-22A brings stealth into the day, enablingit to not only protect itself but other assets.
The F-22A engines produce more thrust than any current fighter engine. The combination of sleek aerodynamic design and increased thrust allows the F-22A to cruise at supersonic airspeeds (greater than 1.5 Mach)without using afterburner -- a characteristic known as supercruise.Supercruise greatly expands the F-22A 's operating envelope in bothspeed and range over current fighters, which must use fuel-consumingafterburner to operate at supersonic speeds.
The sophisticated F-22A Raptor aerodesign, advanced flight controls,thrust vectoring, and high thrust-to-weight ratio provide thecapability to outmaneuver all current and projected aircraft. The F-22Adesign has been extensively tested and refined aerodynamically duringthe development process.
The F-22A Raptor's characteristics provide a synergistic effect ensuring F-22A lethality against all advanced air threats. The combinationof stealth, integrated avionics and supercruise drastically shrinkssurface-to-air missile engagement envelopes and minimizes enemycapabilities to track and engage the F-22A . Thecombination of reduced observability and supercruise accentuates the advantage of surprise in a tactical environment.
The F-22A Raptor will have better reliability and maintainability than any fighter aircraftin history. An F-22A Raptor squadron will require less than half asmuch airlift as an F-15 squadron to deploy. Increased F-22A reliabilityand maintainability pays off in less manpower required to fix theaircraft and the ability to operate more efficiently.
Historical Information
The Advanced Tactical Fighter entered the Demonstration and Validationphase in 1986. The prototype aircraft (YF-22 and YF-23) both completedtheir first flightsin late 1990. Ultimately the YF-22 was selected as best of the two andthe engineering and manufacturing development effort began in 1991 withdevelopment contracts to Lockheed/Boeing (airframe) and Pratt &Whitney (engines). EMD included extensive subsystem and system testingas well as flight testing with nine aircraft at EdwardsAir Force Base, Calif. The first EMD flight was in 1997 and at the completion of its flight test life this aircraft was used for live-fire testing.
The program received approval to enter low rate initial production in 2001. Initial operational and test evaluation by the Air ForceTest and Evaluation Center was successfully completed in 2004. Based onmaturity of design and other factors the program received approval forfull rate production in 2005. Air Education and Training Command and Air Combat Command are the primary Air Forceorganizations flying the F-22A .  The aircraft designation was theF/A-22 for a short time before being renamed F-22A in December 2005.
Pictures and Images
Please click Here to view F-22A Raptor Pictures
F-22 Raptor General Technical Characteristics
Primary Function: Air dominance, multi-role fighter
Builder: Lockheed-Martin, Boeing
Power Plant: Two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburners and two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles.
Thrust (each engine): 35,000-pound class.
Length: 62 feet, 1 inch (18.9 meters).
Height: 16 feet, 8 inches (5.1 meters).
Wingspan: 44 feet, 6 inches (13.6 meters).
Speed: Mach 2 class.
Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet (approximately 15 kilometers).
Empty Weight: 40,000-pound class (approximately 18,000 kilograms).
Armament: One M61A2 20-millimeter cannon with 480rounds; side weapon bays can carry two AIM-9 infrared (heat seeking)air-to-air missiles and main weapon bays can carry (air-to-air loadout)six AIM-120 radar-guided air-to-air missiles or (air-to-ground loadout)two 1,000-pound GBU-32 JDAMs and two AIM-120 radar-guided air-to-airmissiles.
Crew: One.

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F-16 Fighting Falcon

 The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.

Features
In an air combat role, the F-16's maneuverability and combat radius (distance it can fly to enter air combat, stay, fight and return) exceed that of all potential threat fighter aircraft. It can locate targets in all weather conditions and detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter. In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometers), deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. An all-weather capability allows it to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions


In designing the F-16, advanced aerospace science and provenreliable systems from other aircraft such as the F-15 and F-111 wereselected. These were combined to simplify the airplane and reduce itssize, purchase price, maintenance costs and weight. The light weight ofthe fuselage is achieved without reducing its strength. With a fullload of internal fuel, the F-16 can withstand up to nine G's -- ninetimes the force of gravity -- which exceeds the capability of othercurrent fighter aircraft.
F-16 Fighting Falcon's cockpit and its bubble canopy give the pilotunobstructed forward and upward vision, and greatly improved visionover the side and to the rear.The seat-back angle was expanded from the usual 13 degrees to 30degrees, increasing pilot comfort and gravity force tolerance. Thepilot has excellent flight control of the F-16 through its"fly-by-wire" system. Electrical wires relay commands, replacing theusual cables and linkage controls. For easy and accurate control of theaircraft during high G-force combat maneuvers, a side stick controlleris used instead of the conventional center-mounted stick. Hand pressureon the side stick controller sends electrical signals to actuators offlight control surfaces such as ailerons and rudder.
F-16 Fighting Falcon's Avionics systems include a highly accurateinertial navigation system in which a computer provides steeringinformation to the pilot. The plane has UHF and VHF radiosplus an instrument landing system. It also has a warning system andmodular countermeasure pods to be used against airborne or surfaceelectronic threats. The fuselage has space for additional avionicssystems.
Background
The F-16A, a single-seat model, firstflew in December 1976. The first operational F-16A was delivered inJanuary 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
The F-16B, a two-seat model, has tandem cockpits that are about thesame size as the one in the A model. Its bubble canopy extends to coverthe second cockpit. To make room for the second cockpit, the forwardfuselage fuel tank and avionics growth space were reduced. During training, the forward cockpit is used by a student pilot with an instructor pilot in the rear cockpit.
All F-16s delivered since November 1981 have built-in structural andwiring provisions and systems architecture that permit expansion of themultirole flexibility to perform precision strike, night attack andbeyond-visual-range interception missions. This improvement program ledto the F-16C and F-16D aircraft, which are the single- and two-placecounterparts to the F-16A/B, and incorporate the latest cockpit controland display technology. All active units and many Air National Guardand Air Force Reserve units have converted to the F-16C/D.F-16 Fighting Falcon
The F-16 was built under an unusual agreement creating a consortiumbetween the United States and four NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlandsand Norway. These countries jointly produced with the United States aninitial 348 F-16s for their air forces. Final airframe assembly lineswere located in Belgium andthe Netherlands . The consortium's F-16s areassembled from components manufactured in all five countries. Belgiumalso provides final assembly of the F100 engine used in the EuropeanF-16s. Recently, Portugal joined the consortium. The long-term benefitsof this program will be technology transfer among the nations producingthe F-16, and a common-use aircraft for NATO nations. This programincreases the supply and availability of repair parts in Europe and improves the F-16's combat readiness.

USAF F-16 multirole fighters were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm, where more sortieswere flown than with any other aircraft. These fighters were used toattack airfields, military production facilities, Scud missiles sitesand a variety of other targets.
During Operation AlliedForce, USAF F-16 multirole fighters flew a variety of missions toinclude suppression of enemy air defense, offensive counter air,defensive counter air, close air support and forward air controller missions. Mission results were outstanding as these fighters destroyed radar sites, vehicles, tanks, MiGs and buildings.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the F-16 has been a major component of thecombat forces committed to the Global War on Terrorism flying thousandsofsorties in support of operations Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense), Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom

F-16 Fighting Falcon General Technical Characteristics

Primary Function: Multirole fighter
Builder: Lockheed Martin Corp.
Power Plant: F-16C/D: one Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Thrust: F-16C/D, 27,000 pounds
Length: 49 feet, 5 inches (14.8 meters)
Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters)
Wingspan: 32 feet, 8 inches (9.8 meters)
Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)
Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet (15 kilometers)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 37,500 pounds (16,875 kilograms)
Range: More than 2,000 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles)
Armament: OneM-61A1 20mm multibarrel cannon with 500 rounds; external stations cancarry up to six air-to-air missiles, conventional air-to-air andair-to-surface munitions and electronic countermeasure pods
Unit cost: F-16A/B , $14.6 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars); F-16C/D,$18.8 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)
Crew: F-16C, one; F-16D, one or two
Date Deployed: January 1979
Inventory: Active force, F-16C/D, 738; Reserve, F-16C/D, 69; and Air National Guard, F-16C/D,


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Eurofighter-2000 Typhoon

The Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) is a result of joint efforts on the part of UK, Germany, Italy and Spain to develop a 5th Generationfighter capable of engaging all contemporary threats like the Flankerand Fulcrum series of fighters. The aircraft was designed with AirDominance as its primary mission, and ground attack being thesecondary. To achieve better combat performance than the enemy fighters, the Eurofighter Typhoon had to be endowed with features like unstable design, carefree handling, advanced sensor suite and defensive counter-measures, ultra long-range missiles and a top-end cockpit.

DESIGN
To achieve high instantaneous and sustained performance, the configuration chosen was Delta wings with canards. This unstable design is controlled by an advanced quadruplex Active Control Technology (ACT) fully digital system. The canardsare placed closer to the nose, unlike the ones in Rafale and Gripen.This allows an increase in AoA, with a little compromise in sidewaysview from the canopy. The sturdy structure of the Typhoon allows it tooperate from rough airfields.AVIONICS SUITE
Attack and Identification System (AIS)
From the very beginning, the Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) was designed to employ a high level of sensor-fusion to help reduce pilot workload during combat. This allows the Eurofighter Typhoon pilot to create a better picture of the whole combat scenario and therefore he can act in a better manner.Combining all data streams from the major on-board sensorsconjunction with any information obtained from external and off-boardplatforms such as JSTARS, ASTOR, AWACS or even otherEurofighter's via the Multi-function Information Distribution System,the AIS gives pilots unprecedented awareness of the situation in thesky and allows them to concentrate on their task to carry out themission. Equipments such as the DASS, navigation, ACS and communications are also integrated into the AIS.
ECR-90 CAPTOR
The CAPTOR radar is the primary sensor of theTyphoon. It is a third generation coherent X-band (8 to 12 GHz)multi-mode Pulse Doppler system developed from GEC's Harrier FA.2 BlueVixen system. Some features of the CAPTOR system are -
• It uses DAS (Data Adaptive Scanning) to provide accurate information on selected targets and minimizes unnecessary antenna movement.
• For Close Combat, CAPTOR switches to High Precision Single Target Track.
• The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mode offered by Tranche-1 Eurofighter's gives a 1m resolution (with improvement due in Tranche-2)
• The CAPTOR is mechanically scanned radar, yet it is able tointerleave different modes due to exceptional scan rates (credited tothe Low inertia non-counterbalanced antenna coupled with four hightorque, high precision samarium-cobalt drive motors)
• To increase effectiveness in a heavy ECM situation, the CAPTOR has a dedicated Third Channel to screen ECM sources. When performance degradation is detected in the radar, the AIS compensates by using other sensors.
• 61 Shop Replaceable Items (or SRIs) and around 6 Line ReplaceableUnits (or LRUs) enable the CAPTOR to be upgraded easily and give aquick maintenance turn-around.
• Tests conducted in 1997 showed that CAPTOR could trackfighter-sized targets at a range of 160 kms. While this seems anexaggerated range for mechanically scanned radar, the range of theCAPTOR radar is bound to be impressive.
• Capable of tracking 20 targets, the CAPTOR has a range accuracy of 10m, and can obtain a target angle within 1 mm.
In the coming years, the CAPTOR will be replaced by AMSAR (AirborneMulti-mode Solid-state Active-array Radar). This radar will equip boththe European fighters - the Typhoon and the Rafale (France).
PIRATE IRST
In the modern combat scenario, an aircraftconstantly using its radar is target practice for the enemy. To reducethe usage of radar, a few measures or a combination of these measuresis followed. First is the use of secure-datalinks to downloadinformation from sources such as AWACS, JSTARS, GC and even otherfighters having this capability. Second is to use Passive systems likeInfrared sensors, something that the Russian fighters have been usingsince a long time.
PIRATE system in the Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000)  is designed to allow the Eurofighter to scan the airspace covertly. If a target is found, radar can beopened and an attack can be commenced. It incorporates both a ForwardLooking Infra Red (FLIR) and Infra Red Search and Track (or IRST)capability. The system itself utilizes a highly sensitive Infra Redsensormounted to the port side of the canopy. This equipment scans acrosswavelengths from 3 to 11 µm in two bands. This allows the detection ofboth the hot exhaust plumes of jet engines as well as surface heatingcaused by friction. Super cooling thesensor can allow detection of evensmall variations in temperature detected at long range. Although nodefinitive ranges have been released an upper limit of 80nm has beenhinted at, a more typical figure would be 30 to 50nm. The actual outputfrom the system can be directed to any of the Multi-function Head DownDisplays mounted within the cockpit. Additionally the image can beoverlaid on both the Helmet Mounted Sight and Head Up Display.
The IIR sensor is stabilized within its mount so that it can maintain a target within its field ofview. Up to 200 targets can be simultaneously tracked by the systemusing one of several different modes; Multiple Target Track (MTT),Single Target Track (STT), Single Target Track Identification (STTI),Sector Acquisition and Slaved Acquisition.
This system allows the Typhoon to attack target without the use ofCAPTOR. Additionally, it allows the Typhoon to engage targets in theheaviest of ECM conditions.
ARMAMENT
One of most striking features of the Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) is its internal cannon. It is equipped with a single MauserGmbH developed BK-27 cannon mounted internally in the fuselage forwardof the starboard wing. It utilizes 27mm high explosive shells with amaximum firing rate of some 1700 rounds a minute; each aircraft willlikely carry approximately 150 rounds.
The weapon apparently looks weaker than the 20mm M-61 cannon with a rate of 6000 rounds a minute. But in a fast dogfight, the Mauserwill pour 4 kg of ammo in 0.5 seconds while M-62 would have poured only2 kg. By the time M-61 reaches full firing rate, the target may bemoved considerably. This is particularly if the pilot wishes to takesnap-shots.
Due to cannon's ability to engage moving targets swiftly and withaccuracy, the system was fitted with an automatic firing mode. When theradar solution shows that the target is passing through theline-of-fire of the cannon, it will fire a burst of 27mm and this canbe quite helpful in maneuvering fights.
The primary BVR weapon of the Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) will bethe MBDA Meteor rocket-ramjet powered BVRAAM with range well over 100kms. The missile will be guided using a mix of mid-course correctionusing data-link, inertial guidance and active radar in terminal stage.
The primary close-combat weapon of the Typhoon will be the AIM-132ASRAAM 4th generation AAM. The missile has the capability to engagetargets that are high off-boresight. When used with the HMS, it forms aformidable weapon system.
Other air-air weapons include AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Skyflash, Aspide and IRIS-T.
In air-ground mode, the Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) employs themost modern line of precision guided bombs and standoff missiles. Itsarsenal includes Storm Shadow and Taurus standoff missiles, Harpoon andPenguin AShMs, ALARM and HARM ARMs, Brimstone anti-vehicle missile,JDAM and LGBs, BL-755 and DWS-39.
SELF-DEFENSE
The Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) utilizes the DAC(Defensive Aids Computer) to create a 360-degree coverage of allthreats around the aircraft. The DAC fuses all information from theRWR, MAW and LWR (RAF only).
While the current MAW is an active system, the PIMAW is underdevelopment, which will allow detection of missile command linkspassively. The LWR or Laser Warning Receiver is unique to the RAFTyphoon and allows the system to detect and Lasers that are beingdirected on the aircraft. This takes away the covert attack capabilitypossessed by Laser-Range Finder and IRST equipped Fulcrum and Flankerseries of aircrafts.
Apart from these systems, the Typhoon uses standard Chaff and Flaredispensers, ECM system and also Towed Decoys to defeat any incomingweapons.

PROPULSION
The EJ200 is an advanced design based on a fullymodular augmented twin-spool low bypass layout. At its maximum drythrust of 60kN (or 13,500lbf) the EJ200's SFC is in the order of23g/kN.s. With reheat the engine delivers around 90-100kN (or20,250-22,500lbf) of thrust with an SFC of some 49g/kN.s.
The engine allows the Eurofighter Typhoon (EF-2000) to achievesuper-sonic speed (up to Mach 1.5) without the use of re-heat and alsogives the it a very high Thrust-to-weight ratio, a factor that is vitalin all forms of air combat.

Eurofighter Typhoon Specifications

Wing Span
10.95m
Length
14.96m
Height
5.28m
Wing Area
50m²
Fore plane Area
2.4m²
Empty Weight
9750 kg (approx)
Internal Fuel Load
4000 kg (approx)
External Store Load
6500 kg (approx)
Max T/O Weight
21000 kg
Power
·      2 EJ200 Turbofan Engines
·      20,000 lbf (90 kN) each with Afterburner
·      13,500 lbf (60 kN) each without Afterburner
Maximum Speed
2125 km/hr
Time to 10670m
2.5 minutes
Runway Requirement
700m
T/O run
·      300m
·      Air combat mission
Combat Radius
·      Ground attack, lo-lo-lo: 601 km
·      Ground attack, hi-lo-hi: 1389 km
·      Air defense with 3hr CAP: 185 km
·      Air defense with 10-min loiter: 1389 km
G Limits
+9/-3 w/ internal fuel and two AIM-120
Weapons & Stores
·      Internally mounted 27mm Mauser gun
·      Total of 13 external stores stations: 5 (incl one wet) under fuselage and 4 (incl one wet) under each wing
·      Mix of Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAM) and Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (SRAAM) carried externally
·      Four BVRAAM under fuselage in semi-conformal carriage configuration
·      Laser guided bombs
·      Advanced anti-armour weapons
·      Conventionally armed stand-off missiles

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