Forum: General

I see some viper models have, what appears to be, a drag chute in the rear 'spine'. Am I correct and if so why the need for one?

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Yes, some do. (None for US use though.)

It is an 'option' offered for countries/air forces that operate from shorter runways, or like the additional stopping power.

The F-35 will also have the 'option'

Keep 'em flyin' Thumb

TEG

But one thing is noticable. The F-16DJ Blk 52 viper for Pakistan Air Force that was rolled out recently, also had one. Though, PAF never had it on F-16A/B Blk 15's...Why do these ? Did PAF ask for it ??

The extended base serves various functions;

RNoAF was the first to use it, because of icy runways we need it to shorten the landing run by parachute.
Later, RNLAF installed the same on their Vipers.
ROCAF and Thailand, aswell as Indonesia has it aswell. (NB! The Thai examples with breakchutes are Ex-Singaporean!)
Chile fly ex-RNLAF A/B Vipers with it aswell.
All fly A/B models

Greece, Turkey and Chile also has parachutes for their C/D's, so also Polish AF. I believe all the new Pakistani Vipers have it aswell, much like the Polish Vipers.

Belgium also installed the housing, but use if for ECM equipment - so also for the Israelis, although not on their A/B models, only the C/D's. Belgium never installed it on their B-models though. Those sold to Jordan still contain ECM equipment as they did while serving the BAF.

Think I covered most by this, but please add if some are forgotten, OK?

Thanks guys!!!

Omani Vipers have the same tail fairing with the drag-chutes, in addition to the UAEAF's Blk 60 Desert Falcons..
I think the new F-16CJ's and F-16DJ's for PAF will give PAF a cutting edge, because, now PAF could deploy F-16's at Remote Airfields, like the Pasni airfield etc.

Venezuela

Yeah. Forgot that as well.

yasirbhojani wrote:

But one thing is noticable. The F-16DJ Blk 52 viper for Pakistan Air Force that was rolled out recently, also had one. Though, PAF never had it on F-16A/B Blk 15's...Why do these ? Did PAF ask for it ??

They must have? (I would think)

Don't forget the Blk52 Vipers are much heavier than the Blk15s and as such will take more effort (or distance) to stop.

TEG

I think the most important aspect of the drag chute is the recovery of the Viper , if somehow you managed to get her out of control in flight!

Icy runways and heavy weight landings (especially with CFTs) is also a bonus!

When I worked in Norway, the dragchute came in real handy. We had an American exchange pilot doing his first mission in MLU viper with the base commander in the back seat. The launch took a little longer than normal I remember for familiarization. I launched them out then jumped in the truck for the ride back to squadron. The driver said we needed to stop by the maint. hangar first. Well, while I was waiting there, I look out at the runway and see an F-16 going down the runway with it's dragchute deployed. The I saw the tail flash. It was my jet!!! Turns out the right main tire blew out during takeoff roll. The commander quickly cut the throttle and deployed chute and the jet quickly stopped thank god. We put a new wheel on and towed it to the hangar. Found out we had to replace the right stab and motor and the wing tank was damaged. I sure was glad to have dragchute that day!

The UAE Vipers do not have the parachute - sorry!

I saw a pic of an IADAF viper that looked like it had one.

An extended base of the vertical tail does not always mean there is a drag chute in there. Singapore A-models (Blk 15Z) had extended tail but no drag chute (I flew them at Luke so I know) Extended base of the tail made room for other things...depends on what the customer wanted...all I'll say.

Quote:

The UAE Vipers do not have the parachute - sorry!

Yeah, sorry. Razz

Actually, I was thinking of F-16's with CFT's, so I accidently added UAE to the list..

Forum: General

Drag chute