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| Middle East |
| Israel’s New Two Seater F-16 |
| 2003-11-19 |
| The first of 102 F-16I fighters has been manufactured. This two seat version is being exported to Israel, where three squadrons are expected to be in service by 2008. The F-16I has an operating radius of 1500 kilometers on internal fuel, and can be refueled in the air for longer missions. About a quarter of the $45 million aircraft’s cost will consist of Israeli made electronics. The 24 ton aircraft is equipped to either clear the skies of hostile aircraft, or make precision bombing attacks in darkness or any kind of weather. The F-16I is considerably more capable than any other warplane in service, or on the way, in the Middle East. Add to this the high skill levels of Israeli pilots, and you have continued domination of the air in and around Israel by the Israeli air force. The aircraft are being paid for by U.S. taxpayers, using some of the two billion dollars in American military aid Israel receives annually. Israel has been operating F-16s since 1980 and 236 (in several versions) of these aircraft form the backbone of the Israeli air force. I’d like to see the Air National Guard get these. I have a friend, he’s a weekend warrior and pilot, he owes me a favor, and ... |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #5 GK, when the Navy and Marines moved to the F/A-18, the Marines demanded a two seat version. I thought it was just to keep from having to dump all the F-4 backseaters into teh infantry. You have enlightened me. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-11-19 7:07:27 PM |
| #4 GK, thanks for the info, I'll going to get to work him. Can't be but so hard for him (an A-10 driver) to get qualified in an F-16, eh? :-) |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-11-19 2:14:09 PM |
| #3 Well of all money who goes in the Middle East the one given to Isreal is the only one who will not be used to fund people who rejoiced in 9/11 and think bin Laden is a hero. Ask for cutting aid to this countries before whining about the poor US tax payer fubding F16s for Israel. |
| Posted by: JFM 2003-11-19 1:19:29 PM |
| #2 The IDF continues (and correctly by my way of thinking) to use the F-16 backseater as weapons controller while the pilot flys the plane. USAF has pilot doing both. With complex precision guided weapons becoming more common and the increased stress of limiting civilian damage in a conflict, I think the IDF has it right. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-11-19 12:44:33 PM |
| #1 Steve,in the past 25 years the USAF has procured over 120 of the "family model" F-16s. The F-16B is a combat-capable two seat trainer version of the F-16A. It’s essentially an -A model with the second cockpit added in place of internal fuel cells. The exterior dimensions of the two aircraft are the same with the exception of the second cockpit and longer canopy of the F-16B. Production aircraft deliveries began in 1978. So if you’re just looking for a ride there is probably one around somewhere. Might not be as much fun as the 'I' model though. http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/fighter/f16b.htm |
| Posted by: Gasse Katze 2003-11-19 12:38:58 PM |