Lockheed Martin F-16s Fly with First Production Conformal Fu
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Lockheed Martin F-16s Fly with First Production Conformal Fuel Tanks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2003
Fort Worth, Texas — The first production F-16 conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) recently were flown for the first time on newly produced Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT]F-16s.
CFTs are two large external, pod-like fuel reservoirs attached to the left- and right-side of the F-16Â’s upper fuselage. The tanksÂ’ lower surfaces conform to the aircraft shape. Together, a shipset holds 450 gallons, or about 3,060 pounds of JP-5/8 fuel.
“The CFTs significantly increase the F-16 mission range and patrol time on station,” said John L. Bean, vice president of F-16 programs. “They also provide increased air-to-ground payload potential and greater stores flexibility. The CFTs can be utilized throughout the F-16’s full flight envelope and have little or no effect on the F-16’s renowned agility, flight performance, handling qualities, existing stores certification, signature and maintainability.”
Development testing of the CFTs was completed in October 2002, and the first production shipset was received at Fort Worth in January 2003. All Advanced Block 50/52 and Block 60 F-16 versions are compatible with the new CFTs.
"Development and production of the F-16 CFTs was a major task and involved almost all of the disciplines required for a complete aircraft," said Bean. "We are very pleased with the final product and consider it a tribute to all those in industry and government, here and abroad, who made it happen."
GreeceÂ’s Hellenic Air Force is the lead customer for the CFTs as well as the Advanced Block 52 F-16 version. The production CFTs were flown on two aircraft recently produced for Greece in the 60-aircraft Peace Xenia III Foreign Military Sales program. One aircraft was a C model (single seat), and the other was a D model (two-seat with weapons system operator station and dorsal avionics compartment).
The F-16, the choice of 24 countries, is the worldÂ’s most sought-after fighter. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered, hundreds more are on order for the United States and seven other countries, and production is expected to continue beyond 2010. Major upgrades for all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraftÂ’s long service life.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. Employing about 125,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.
The D model looks cool 
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double post
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this D model looks very cool indeed.
wonder if singapore would get it?
jus one question, if let say it got hit, will this model down down more easily than the normal models?
thanks
cheers. -
they look cool!
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Our avionics may be indigenous thus no one else except maybe for israel know our specific capability. Even if our avionics from israel , i believe it will be one of the guarded secret between our two country , unknown to the world. For the Greece , too bad. They have to rely on the US for the jamming avionics with will soon be a problem for them when they face with the fact US will not let loose the code.Originally posted by foga:this D model looks very cool indeed.
wonder if singapore would get it?
jus one question, if let say it got hit, will this model down down more easily than the normal models?
thanks
cheers.
About the CFT , i believe ST will have the capacity to ugrade our F-16s with CFT soon. I dun believe that the two CEF will make downing of the plane easier , even if so , it jus be a little fraction added to the hazard factor. -
shouldnt be a prob lah...the tank are on the top mah....no below......so they infact are less of a hazard then having fuel in the wings which are more exposed or even in underwing tanks!Originally posted by foxtrout8:I believe our D version is better as maybe there we are immuned from US weapon and code restriction. Our avionics may be indigenous thus no one else except maybe for israel know our specific capability.
About the CEF , i believe ST will have the capacity to ugrade our F-16s with CEF soon. I dun believe that the two CEF will make downing of the plane easier , even if so , it jus be a little fraction added to the hazard factor. -
correction..is CFT not CEFOriginally posted by foxtrout8:I believe our D version is better as maybe there we are immuned from US weapon and code restriction. Our avionics may be indigenous thus no one else except maybe for israel know our specific capability.
About the CEF , i believe ST will have the capacity to ugrade our F-16s with CEF soon. I dun believe that the two CEF will make downing of the plane easier , even if so , it jus be a little fraction added to the hazard factor.
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thanks brudder.Originally posted by foxtrout8:Our avionics may be indigenous thus no one else except maybe for israel know our specific capability. Even if our avionics from israel , i believe it will be one of the guarded secret between our two country , unknown to the world. For the Greece , too bad. They have to rely on the US for the jamming avionics with will soon be a problem for them when they face with the fact US will not let loose the code.
About the CFT , i believe ST will have the capacity to ugrade our F-16s with CFT soon. I dun believe that the two CEF will make downing of the plane easier , even if so , it jus be a little fraction added to the hazard factor.
another question for you. wat's with the Link16?( did i got it correct?) -
eh? I dun think i know any abt the link16 .Btw wat link16 u r toking abt? Pls enlighten mi.Originally posted by foga:thanks brudder.
another question for you. wat's with the Link16?( did i got it correct?) -
Although these CFT maybe located on top of the wings, they may still be vulnerable to damage.
Will those tanks be self-sealing when hit by shrapnels from anti-aircraft flak, or by gunfire in a aerial dogfight ? -
Whoa ! so so cool
looks more and more like a future fighter in shown in cartoons
so nice.... -
i believe all fuel tanks in planes are now self-sealing....Originally posted by Atobe:Although these CFT maybe located on top of the wings, they may still be vulnerable to damage.
Will those tanks be self-sealing when hit by shrapnels from anti-aircraft flak, or by gunfire in a aerial dogfight ? -
even typhoon propose cft is place above, future gripen , so is rafale mk2(unforuntately the french govt decide to scrap it
, such a nice looking plane) -
the link 16 that US use for it's jet fighters.Originally posted by foxtrout8:eh? I dun think i know any abt the link16 .Btw wat link16 u r toking abt? Pls enlighten mi.
brudder brudder...i also dun know how i can enlight you... -
It is a type of secure datalink between aircrafts (and other platforms, Command Centre, etc) RSAF once sought permission to obtain Link 16 for the Vipers. After much lobbying to the US Congress / Pentagon, we finally got the OK but instead went ahead and purchased an Israeli equivalent which was reported much cheaper. That really pissed the American for a while.Originally posted by foga:the link 16 that US use for it's jet fighters.
brudder brudder...i also dun know how i can enlight you...
Link 16 has been developed to meet the information exchange requirements of all tactical units, supporting the exchange of surveillance data, EW data, mission tasking, weapons assignments and control data.The Link 16 message standard uses J-series messages and completely meets the requirements for C2 functionality and aircraft control. In addition Link 16 has been selected by the US and NATO as the main tactical data link for Theatre Missile Defence.
Numerous platforms have been or will be equipped with Link 16 (Airborne Surveillance and Intelligence Systems, C2 Systems, Fighter and Bomber Aircraft, SAM Systems, Ships, etc). The UK has implemented Link 16 in its E-3D AWACS & Tornado F3 fleet. Furthermore implementation is underway for RN ships and aircraft and other RAF C2 platforms and aircraft.
Link 16 has been established as the NATO standard data link. The highly sophisticated information distribution system provides real-time, jam-resistant secure transfer of combat information and relative navigation between widely dispersed battle elements. Participants gain situational awareness by exchanging digital data over a common communication link that is continuously and automatically updated in real time, reducing the chance of duplicate assignments or missed targets because each participant sees the targets or threats and who is assigned to them.
See some references:
http://prodevweb.prodev.usna.edu/SeaNav/NS40x/NS401_old/introduction/html/introduc.html
http://www.stasys.co.uk/tdl/tdl4.htm
Hope this helps. -
...Oh...
on the RSAF rejection topic:
"Singapore has rejected a US offer of the Link 16 tactical datalink in favour of a cheaper Israeli alternative to equip its F-16C/D and A-4SU strike aircraft. The move has angered officials in Washington who question the Israeli-made datalink's ability to interface with Link 16s TADIL-J waveform and therefore doubt the ability of USA forces to operate jointly with RSAF aircraft operating with the Israeli datalinks. US defense officials had in 1998 secured unprecedented approval for Link 16 to be released to the RSAF and more recently overcome the problem of encryption code access, only to see negotiations over the sale break down due to a failure to reach agreement on price. "
Unofficial RSAF Homepage, RSAF News
http://www.geocities.com/spyder355a/rsaf-news.html
Thanks Mike
"Singapore has decided to equip it's F-16C/D and A-4SU aircraft with Israeli made data link terminals using the TADIL-J wavefrom, this comes after the rejection of the US offered Link 16 datalink system. Singapore has also equipped it's F-16's Israeli manufactured jammers and ECM."
Aviation News (March '99)
http://www.alphalink.com.au/~bjordan/news-10.html