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The F-16XL is a delta-wing, ground attack variant of the F-16A built by General Dynamics.

Description

The F-16XL was first conceived in the eighties as a ground attack aircraft that would serve alongside the F-16C Fighting Falcon. It was one of the aircraft submitted for the US government's Enhanced Tactical Fighter program. For this task, two prototypes were built, F-16XL1 & F-16XL2 (respectively, a one-seater and a two-seater.). However, the F-16XL did not prevail at the end, and was defeated by the McDonnel Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle.

The prototypes were originally built to test the practicality of composite wing skins and both first flew in 1982, the single-seater first flying in July and the two-seater in October. After the prototypes completed their test programs, both were stored until one was delivered to NASA in 1989, where the F-16XL’s service designations would have been F-16E (single-seat) and F-16F (two-seat). The large “Cranked-Arrow” double-delta wing, which identified the –XL from its brethren, had an impressive 6 hardpoints under each wing in addition to the 2 wingtip hardpoints and fuselage hardpoints. The “Cranked-Arrow” wing also allowed more fuel to be carried increasing the Falcon’s already good range and the increased lift allowed for a much shorter takeoff roll. The large delta wing design hindered maneuverability at low speeds, though at higher speeds the –XL could turn almost as fast as the F-16 in a maximum turn. Currently, both prototypes are in NASA service.

Aces

Armament

Standard Weapons

Special Weapons

  • XAGM: AGM-65G Maverick (AC5/ACZ/ACX/ACX2)
  • BDSP: JP233 Anti Runway Submunitions (ACZ/ACX/ACX2)
  • SAAM: AIM-7F Sparrow (ACZ/ACX/ACX2)
  • ODMM: Modified AIM-120D AMRAAM's (ACX2)

Statistics

Ace Combat 5/Zero

  • Speed: 66
  • Defense: 61
  • Mobility: 52
  • Stability: 64
  • Air-to-Air: 34
  • Air-to-Ground: 80

Ace Combat X

  • Speed: 69
  • Air-to-Air: 66
  • Air-to-Ground: 33
  • Mobility: 54
  • Stability: 60
  • Defense: 57

Trivia

  • In Ace Combat Zero, the F-16XL can be the only attacker that can use separately its BDSP.

Gallery

Sources

  • "Aircraft of the World" by: Claudio Muller Publisher: Muze Inc. (© 1995 - 2007)
  • Global Security: F-16XL

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