Airborne weapons of the F-16I Thunderstorm fighter

The American F-16C/DBlock50 has extremely strong combat capabilities

The F-16 is equipped with a General Electric M61A1 20 mm multi-barreled "Vulcan" cannon (ammunition ready) 511 rounds). There are 11 external hardpoints in total, and can use a wide variety of weapons, generally including:

AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles (2 on the wingtips)

· AIM-7 Sparrow missile

· AIM-120 AMRAAM missile

· AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile

· AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile Missile

· AGM-65A/B/D/G Maverick air-to-surface missile

· AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile

· Penguin 3 anti-ship missile

· Laser-guided bombs: GBU-10 Paveway II (950 kg), GBU-12 Paveway II (225 kg), GBU-22, GBU-24, GBU-27.

· GBU-15 Glide Bomb (950 kg)

· BLU-107/B Durandal Anti-Runway Bomb

· JDAM Joint Attack Munition

· Mk.82 and Mk. 84 explosives

· LAU-3A/5003 rocket pod

Also includes a large number of the United States' other most advanced weapons systems. Since the F-16 is exported to many countries in large quantities, the relevant countries have improved it to match their own weapons systems. Israel's F-16I "Storm" fighter jets should be able to flexibly choose to use a full set of existing F-16 series US-made weapons and equipment.

3. Characteristics of the Israeli F-16I "Thunderstorm" fighter jet.

1. Basic performance of Israeli F-16I fighter jets.

The F-16I "Thunderstorm" fighter jet manufactured by the United States specifically for Israel is based on the overall design of the latest improved model F16C/D Block50/52 that the U.S. Air Force entered service in September 1991. Both parties have gone through a number of important improvements. It uses an improved Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine, with a maximum takeoff weight of 52,000 pounds, a larger fuel capacity, and removable conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) installed on the back of the aircraft, giving it a combat radius of 820 kilometers and a maximum range With a range of 1,500 kilometers, the F16I can reach the hinterland of Iran and Syria without aerial refueling. Increase the number of weapons carried. At the same time, the ground attack capability has also been greatly improved. Equipped with AN/APG-68(V)9 multi-mode radar, the detection range is 30% greater than that of other models of F-16, and it can guide missiles to shoot down enemy fighters as far as 50 kilometers away.

The Israeli F-16I fighter cockpit

integrates the most advanced military aircraft technology, such as modern avionics equipment, digital image recording equipment, conformal fuel tanks, advanced electronic warfare displays, glass Color cockpit display system, Elbit helmet display system, Elisra electronic warfare device, Rafael advanced weapons and sensor system, FLIR (forward-looking infrared) infrared forward-looking observer for target indication, Passive Airborne Warning System 2 (PAWS-2) , and the LANTIRN system (night low-altitude navigation and infrared targeting system), etc. The synthetic aperture radar system and the "Litening" electronic reconnaissance pod give the F-16I all-weather attack capabilities. It is also Israel's first F-16I fighter equipped with "Alam" air-to-air missiles. It also includes other improved systems, and components from related Israeli companies account for about 25% of the entire aircraft.

2. The basic structure of the Israeli F-16I fighter jet.

The basic structure of the Israeli F-16I fighter jet

A. The conformal fuel tank can be removed from the back of the aircraft and can store 450 gallons of fuel. B. Wing-mounted fuel tanks are available in two specifications: 600 gallons and 370 gallons. C. The landing gear can withstand a maximum take-off weight of 52,000 pounds. D. Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-68(V)9 multi-mode radar. The range is 30% larger than the existing APG-69, and the synthetic aperture method is added for high-resolution ground imaging. The main improvement is a similar Northrop Grumman multi-mode radar with a 600-gallon fuel tank on the back. With 5 times faster processing speeds and 10 times the memory capacity than the AN/APG-68(V)7/8, the new processor has consistently higher expansion potential. Synthetic aperture allows pilots to find and identify ground tactical targets from considerable distances. Associated with numerous semi-active guided weapons using airborne radar. E. Target system.

The advanced Block 50/52 production batch of the F-16 series can use the latest generation targeting systems, such as the Lockheed Martin Sniper XR/Pantera targeting pod, specifically the right embedded sensor position. Associated with laser-guided bombs, the pod provides day/night precision attack capabilities from high-altitude locations. Among other uses, the targeting system may serve as a search display for a multi-guided weapon and covert air-to-air operations. F. Navigation and reconnaissance pod.

The LANTIRN/Pathfinder navigation pod may be equipped with an embedded sensor on the left. Various reconnaissance pods may be carried on the centerline of the fuselage. G. Driver's cockpit. The Advanced Lot Block 50/52 cockpit features a helmet-mounted display system; a color multi-function display and recording device; cockpit lighting and exterior strip lighting compatible with night vision goggles; and a high-capacity data transfer device. Helmet-mounted display systems are optional. These systems allow a pilot to focus sensors or weapons on his sight or help him find a designated target. The helmet-mounted display also provides emergency fire and target information to the pilot, similar to a heads-up display, but in any direction the pilot is looking. H. Electronic equipment compartment on the back. Advanced Block 50/52 dual-pilot models have a distinctive dorsal electronics bay that allows these aircraft to provide all single-pilot mode systems, as well as some specialized mission equipment such as additional chaff/flash delivery. The rear cockpit can also be configured for either weapons system operator or an instructor, and modified for conversion to a single cockpit. I. Engine. Advanced production lot 50/52 has an engine bay that allows the customer to select a 29,000 lb. thrust engine. The models using General Motors' F110-GE-129IPE engines are called Block50, while those using Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229IPE engines are called Block52 (IPE refers to "Engine Performance Enhancement Program").

4. The Israeli F-16I "Thunderstorm" fighter jet may use weapons and equipment made in Israel.

Israel has strong strength in military technology and possesses a large number of cutting-edge technologies. Therefore, it is fully believed that the F-16I "Thunderstorm" fighter will use a large number of Israeli advanced weapons and equipment. The F-16 has very good low-altitude flight performance and extremely strong ground attack capabilities. It is estimated that Israel will use advanced technology to strengthen its precise ground attack capabilities to meet battlefield needs. At present, the United States and Israel have not announced the specific weapons they will equip, so they can only analyze them from all aspects.

1. Python 4 air-to-air combat missile.

The Python 4 of the Israeli Rafael company is a fully developed fourth-generation missile. It has been rigorously tested and inspected by Western countries. It is the first large off-axis angle short-range missile used by the West. Air-to-air missiles. Thanks to its agile aerodynamic structure it is optimized for range combat and equipped with digital autopilot, Python 4 essentially extends the "no escape zone" all the way to most of the front hemisphere, Its aerodynamic design allows it to maneuver up to 70g. The missile offers a unique pursuit trajectory and advanced IRCCM (Infrared Counter Jam Measures) performance. Therefore, it is called the world's first combat missile. The Python-4 is equipped with a dual-band infrared scanning array seeker mounted on a gimbal, which allows it to intercept and track targets at an off-axis angle of up to 60° before and after launch. If the "Anaconda" loses the opportunity to attack head-on, it has sufficient energy and control authority to turn and initiate a pursuit attack. Therefore, pilots from NATO countries commented: "They can even maneuver around the turn after launch."

2. Elbit DASH helmet display system.

The Israeli Elbit DASH helmet display system and the Python (Python) 4 air-to-air combat missile are hailed as the best combination in the world. The helmet-mounted display can partially replace the function of the onboard "heads-up" display, focusing sensors or weapons on his line of sight or helping him find a designated target. The helmet-mounted display also provides emergency shooting and target information to the pilot. It is very flexible and practical and can be used in any direction the pilot is looking. Israel has perfectly applied this best combination to the F-15I fighter jet.

3. Derby medium-range missile with over-the-horizon capability.

The Derby air-to-air missile is a fully developed, agile, medium-range, beyond visual range (BVR) capable missile. Utilizing an active radar-guided warhead, it has very advanced dual-range mid-range and short-range combat capabilities, and has all-weather performance. Look-Down/Shoot-Down (Look-Down/Shoot-Down) ability and lock-to-launch ability before or after action, which means that you can launch first and then lock on the target while flying, fully embodying super vision combat superiority. The missile uses advanced programmable ECCM (electronic counter-jamming).

4. Popeye air-to-surface missile.

Popeye air-to-ground has long-range capabilities, providing effective precision attack capabilities against high-value land and sea targets.

Effective counterattacks against fuel depots, missile sites and other high-value targets. Popeye missiles use a variety of guidance methods, including infrared imaging or television at the end, to provide precision attack and destroy well-protected targets.

5. Spice precision guidance correction equipment.

Spice's precision guidance correction equipment is "iron bombs", which are derived from the Popeye missile. Delivers pinpoint accuracy and effective killing capabilities against high value land and sea targets. Avoid the (attacker) range, that is, implement the ability to defend against attacks outside the circle. It also has real-time combat damage assessment (BDA) capabilities. Spice precision guidance correction equipment provides a wide range of affordable force multipliers for aircraft.

6. Litening electronic reconnaissance day/night (ER DAY/NIGHT) targeting pod.

Litening electronic reconnaissance day/night targeting pod can provide target detection, identification, confirmation and laser designation and laser-spot tracking air to ground and sea target capabilities. It has multi-mission capabilities and is used to upgrade combat aircraft already in service. Litening electronic reconnaissance day/night targeting pod, its actual purpose is to accurately deliver laser-guided weapons (LGB); cluster and general-purpose bombs and global positioning (GPS) guided weapons. Also provides aerial target identification from beyond visual range (BVR).

7. Reccelite reconnaissance pod.

The Reccelite reconnaissance (under-the-wing) pod provides instant image collection and data transmission, conveying elements via data link for rapid target processing, from sensors to weapon launchers. IR radiation and CCD voltage-coupled assembly sensors mounted on a stable turret mechanism are used to collect information simultaneously. The sensor collects images from all directions: horizon-to-horizon, forward-backward, side and vertical, and the images are relayed via a data link to the ground station for real-time processing or recorded for subsequent processing.

8. Toplite target and monitoring system.

Toplite targeting and surveillance systems are specially configured for ground surveillance and targeting of vehicles. For precision weapons guidance, day/night and adverse weather observation. Target detection, identification and confirmation. Manual and automatic target tracking via Forward Looking Infrared (Flir), Voltage Coupled Component (CCD) and Laser Range Detectors.