![]() ![]() The F-16A, a single-seat model, first flew in December 1976. The fuselage has space for additional avionics systems. ![]() It also has a warning system and modular countermeasure pods to be used against airborne or surface electronic threats. The plane has UHF and VHF radios plus an instrument landing system. Hand pressure on the side stick controller sends electrical signals to actuators of flight control surfaces such as ailerons and rudder.Īvionics systems include a highly accurate enhanced global positioning and inertial navigation systems, or EGI, in which computers provide steering information to the pilot. For easy and accurate control of the aircraft during high G-force combat maneuvers, a side stick controller is used instead of the conventional center-mounted stick. Electrical wires relay commands, replacing the usual cables and linkage controls. The pilot has excellent flight control of the F-16 through its "fly-by-wire" system. The seat-back angle was expanded from the usual 13 degrees to 30 degrees, increasing pilot comfort and gravity force tolerance. The cockpit and its bubble canopy give the pilot unobstructed forward and upward vision, and greatly improved vision over the side and to the rear. With a full load of internal fuel, the F-16 can withstand up to nine G's - nine times the force of gravity - which exceeds the capability of other current fighter aircraft. The light weight of the fuselage is achieved without reducing its strength. These were combined to simplify the airplane and reduce its size, purchase price, maintenance costs and weight. In designing the F-16, advanced aerospace science and proven reliable systems from other aircraft such as the F-15 and F-111 were selected. An all-weather capability allows it to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions. 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. It can locate targets in all weather conditions and detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter. 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 provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Indeed, the next version of the M-1-the SEPv4, slated to arrive in 2025-adds even more new electronics and could weigh even more than the SEPv3 does.The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. But there’s no disputing that the M-1 is heavy and getting heavier-and that certainly weighs on its mobility before and during battle. The Army reportedly disagrees with this assessment. “The M1A2SEPv3 is not transportable by current recovery vehicles, tactical bridges or heavy equipment transporters,” according to DOT&E. Armored bridgelayers for helping the tanks cross narrow rivers and gaps where no suitable fixed bridge exist. Recovery vehicles for winching out stuck tanks. While on the move, their crews would count on an ecosystem of supporting vehicles to maintain forward progress. Even nearer the fighting, the tanks would roll off the trucks and tread under their own power. A Military Sealift Command ship would haul them overseas to another port railhead.Ĭloser to the battle zone, logisticians would transfer the tanks from trains to heavy equipment transporters-in essence, really big trucks. The tanks would ride on a train from their base to a port. Army would lean on several modes of transportation to get an armored brigade equipped with M-1A2SEPv3s from its home base to a European battlefield. That makes it easier to move to and around a battlefield. As a tank power, the United States is second only to Russia with its roughly 13,000 T-72s, T-80s, T-90s and other types.īut Russia’s tanks are lighter than America’s tanks. The service has ordered around 300 M-1A2SEPv3s from General Dynamics GD. Army possesses around 6,000 M-1s, including 1,500 new-generation M-1A2s. The SEPv3 works in the cold-a prerequisite for winter operations in eastern Europe, the most likely place where the Army’s heavy brigades might deploy for combat against a high-tech foe. ![]()
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