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F-16, CFT and Spine question


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This is purely random but I am putting out there to see if anyone has any info regarding F-16's, CFT's, and the avionic spines.  Looking over some images, I see that there are single seat F-16's with CFT's installed.  Yet has anyone seen any single seat F-16's with the avionics spine or is that strictly a 2 seater option?

Like I said, random question that got me thinking after reading The Scale Viper again.

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2 hours ago, ulvdemon said:

This is purely random but I am putting out there to see if anyone has any info regarding F-16's, CFT's, and the avionic spines.  Looking over some images, I see that there are single seat F-16's with CFT's installed.  Yet has anyone seen any single seat F-16's with the avionics spine or is that strictly a 2 seater option?

Like I said, random question that got me thinking after reading The Scale Viper again.

 

F-16 AFTI had a spine extension that started around IFR door area and extended itself all the way to the tail

F-16E from UAE has a fat tail base

F-16Vgina will probably have something something bumpy in an artistic manner concept that will probably never see the light ala F-15 Silent Eagle

 

For all I know from my experience of watching people flying F-16s in flight sims, no single seat F-16 ever used the long avionic spine, it's probably a 2 seat option only and be aware that there are around 4 variations of it:

One should be EU users with chute extension -> Polish F-16D 52+ and Greek F-16D some have what I think are RWR/plume detector receivers similars to the ones used on Argentinian A-4s, some others do not have those RWR or plume pods

IDF F-16 also had two sets of spines one with extension I think earlier ones, then latter variants do not come with chute extension, differences are mostly inside but you can easily spot what they have installed or what they not.

UAE F-16s should also have country specific hardware, also some CFT have an IFR probe that pops from the right tank

Other export versions are probably filled with chaff/flare launchers and maybe ECM devices but I never researched them

 

Luigi

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Like Gigi said, the F-16 AFTI is (was) the only single seat variant (based on the A with the P&W engine) to sport an enlarged spine fairing. The fairing is not as tall or wide as the ones in the two seaters.

The Block 60 F-16C for the UAE (also known as F-16E) has a larger fin base than the baseline F-16C, but that's it.

To note that also the VISTA (Variable Inflight STAbility Laboratory) has an enlarged spine and unique to the F-16Ds has the large mouth intake with the P&W engine.

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18 minutes ago, hemspilot said:

To note that also the VISTA (Variable Inflight STAbility Laboratory) has an enlarged spine and unique to the F-16Ds has the large mouth intake with the P&W engine.

 

VISTA also flew with a GE engine and, as the VISTA/MATV, a thrust vectoring version of the GE F110-100 called AVEN (Asymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle.

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Originally the spine was introduced on Israeli F-16D's and later I's too. Then LM saw the benefit of adding this to all new-build F-16D's as it allows increased room for electronic gear etc. 

But it is only found on the dual seater F-16's, not on any single seater beyond a test aircraft in the 70's. 

 

Conformal fuel tanks can be installed on all block 50/52 produced from late 90's and forwards. 

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Not all spines are the same. Each FMS customer specs the “contents” of the spine. Check references for various vents, scoops, number and location of chaff/flare dispensers etc. 

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After posting, this I looked over my reference book and saw that where it is stated the spine is on D model F-16's.  Honestly, I think it would look interesting to see a spine on a single seat F-16, but that's just me.

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