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The difference in colors in the canopy in this photo is probably due to the front one being replaced and the rear one still being the original canopy that was delivered from the factory. After initially being designed and built with clear canopies, the F-16's ALL started getting "tinted" canopies, which some will say is for "glare reduction." They would be wrong--the tint is for other reasons. Idea

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Texstars is one of the contractors for F-16 canopies. According to their promo they list both clear and solar versions for sale.
As stated in the flyer: “Sophisticated coating systems provide optimum light transmission profiles, environmental durability and other advantageous characteristics.”
Even today while on the flightline you may see some tented, and some clear no matter what block, Squadron or date of manufacturing. After asking why some are and other not the answers were as numerous as those found on a Google search. I would say some maybe plausible while others are just talking out their backsides.
Many Hydro boats (Miss Budweiser) have both tinted and non-tinted F-16 canopies built into their cockpit, purchased from the same manufacturer. (TEXSTARS)
If all you have is a clear in supply and you need to get the bird in the air, I bet it would be clear in no time at all.

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 1012 Status: Offline

How many threads do we need on this? The coating is for RCS reduction because it turns the canopy into a smooth surface to a radar instead of allowing it to see the relatively high RCS cockpit. Not classified at all. Any "sunglasses" effect is a side benefit not it's primary purpose. Same reason they did it on the F/A-18s (both flavors), the F-22, F-35, and B-1B. The reason you see some F-16s with one tinted piece is because they didn't have a tinted one handy when they swapped the the other piece out (for a clear front) or the aircraft didn't go through the upgrade (clear back). Pretty simple. I don't know why we need all these bull$hit explanations when it's not classified anyway. It's bad enough when people supply them out of ignorance, we don't them here on PURPOSE. Bang Head

sferrin wrote:

How many threads do we need on this? The coating is for RCS reduction because it turns the canopy into a smooth surface to a radar instead of allowing it to see the relatively high RCS cockpit. Not classified at all. Any "sunglasses" effect is a side benefit not it's primary purpose. Same reason they did it on the F/A-18s (both flavors), the F-22, F-35, and B-1B. The reason you see some F-16s with one tined piece is because they didn't have a tinted one handy when they swapped the the other piece out (for a clear front) or the aircraft didn't go through the upgrade (clear back). Pretty simple. I don't know why we need all these bull$hit explanations when it's not classified anyway. It's bad enough when people supply them out of ignorance, we don't them here on PURPOSE. Bang Head

Thanks

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2-color canopy