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
- Amsel (Blackbird) (ACZ)
- Dichter (Poet) (ACZ)
- OADF 32nd TFS Element 1 "Wizard" (OADF/ACZ)
- Biel (LAF/ACX)
Armament
Standard Weapons
- Gun: 1x 20mm M61A1 Vulcan Cannon
- Standard Missiles: AIM-9M Sidewinder
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
Ustian F-16XL with Wizard Squadron livery
- 9. F-16XL.png
An F-16XL in Yuktobanian colors
Sources
- "Aircraft of the World" by: Claudio Muller Publisher: Muze Inc. (© 1995 - 2007)
- Global Security: F-16XL
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