IDF/AF Viper 370 wing tank and IFR mods

A friend of mine has brought to my attention (from Isradecal F-16C/D Barak publication), IDF/AF Vipers' 370 wing tanks look different. They have these rivet details, those you will usually find on the 600.

Are these tanks any different from the normal 370? The jettison characteristic perhaps?

Note that there are about 5 different types/styles/& make of 370's tanks for the F-16 that I've seen to date. I got stuck with the tank farm as one of my extra duties when I first got the Edwards (95) and was amazed at all the different types in the yard. Sgt Fletcher is seemed to be the main manufacture and I think there were 2-3 styles, with over/under breaches and side by side. Not only that, but there were also WRM (War Ready Material, I think that was the acronym) floating around. The Fletcher tanks also had varying aft pivot attach points. note fairings were left off most the time, and some did not even have an aft fairing. Don't ask to get to detailed on the breakdowns, since it'll end up being just like the F-16's block breakdown.

I have the ISRA book too, and on page 96 and 97 are pics of the tanks. Nothing new and I've seen those types installed on F-16's I've worked just about every base I was stationed. On page 97, the 370's (not 600) are the same WRM type 370's and though it refers you to the one on the right as being a IMI made tank, it's the same, but with the faring installed??? They may have made them, but as far as I can see, nothing new as we have those tanks too.

The 370 installed on the jet in page 96 is a Sgt Fletcher type, and most common.

I seriously doubt they would mess with the "Jet" characteristics. What for since GD had already established it during development, and then the safety issues. All I can see them doing is routing their own transfer tubing and the like, internally.

Mike V

Thanks ViperEnforcer,

I don't have the book with me now. I believe the tank carried by the D viper in this picture is what I was referring to.

I have tried looking for catalog that suggests IMI produces the 370s but to no avail.

On the 'Jett' characteristics, IDF/AF Vipers did jettison the 370 with the bombs still on stat 3 and 7, against the safety recommendation, during Osiraq raid (I wonder if they have tested the separation before the operation ). That led me wonder if the tanks in the above reference were any speical.

cheers,

I have tried looking for catalog that suggests IMI produces the 370s but to no avail.

And that's because they are made by both, but mostly by IAI

BTW, in this article they mention 450 gal fuel tank??

<b>USAF to equip with IAI conformal fuel tanks</b>

The conformal fuel tanks do not use underwing hard-points and increase fuel carrying capacity by 50%.

<i>Dror Marom 28 Nov 02 <i>

The US Air Force will equip its fighter wing, the world?s largest, with Israel Aircraft Industries conformal fuel tanks.

The 450-gallon tanks, built by IAI?s Lahav Division, are flown to the US to be fitted onto USAF F-16s. IAI is delivering the systems to the F-16?s manufacturer, Lockheed-Martin (NYSE:LMT).

The conformal fuel tanks increase the F-16?s fuel carrying capacity by 50%, compared with underwing drop tanks. The USAF says the fuel tanks greatly enhance the plane?s operational capability, by allowing the underwing hard points to be used for ordnance. They also provide greater operational range before the need to refuel.

Lockheed-Martin plans to install the conformal fuel tanks on the latest versions of the F-16, Block 50/52 and Block 60, that are in production for the USAF and other air forces, including the Israel Air Force.

In addition to the USAF, the conformal fuel tanks will be delivered to the Greek Air Force, which also bought the new F-16s, from the end of this year. Lockheed-Martin has orders for the new F-16s from seven countries.

IAI does not rule out the idea that conformal fuel tanks might be installed in older versions of the F-16, as an upgrade.

Source: http://www.geocities.com/d_elazar/USA/fueltanks.htm

DeepSpace, you're sure about that? By any chance, you have any online reference to direct us to?

I am aware of IAI's CFT and IAI/Lahav is responsible for the implementation to enable the Viper to carry 5 external tanks (370 on station 3 & 7 ) . Have not seen any photo for such a configuration though.

out,

Well, that's the first time I heard about putting tanks on stations 3 & 7, but after I read this I came up with this:

"FAR Technologies developed an implementation for adapting existing fuel tanks to be carried on weapon stations. The installation of fuel lines flows fuel from the outboard weapon stations (3 and 7 on the F-16) to fuel tanks pylons, (stations 4 and 6 on the F-16). IAI/Lahav is working on the necessary adaptations for Israeli F-16s. The installation, which can be applied in only two hours, enable the F-16 to carry a total to five external fuel tanks, adding 25% to the mission radius on attack missions. Israel's IMI offers a higher capacity 600 Gallon external fuel tanksfor the F-16, which can replace the 370 gallon tanks."


The 450 gal. tanks are mentioned here.

DeepSpace, 450 gal would be the total capacity of the CFT, if my memories serve.

Yeah, that's what I understand as well from the link.

OT: Some other fuel related modification works by IAI/Lahav.

I have retrieved this picture (from a thread posted on ARC). It is originated from an article on Air Forces Monthly.

I guess it shows, IDF/AF spares no effort in their continuous search of means, to customise their platforms.

Talking about modifications; This pic is from an IAF magazine article, I'll try to find the time to translate it tonight

Pumpkin wrote:Thanks ViperEnforcer,

I don't have the book with me now. I believe the tank carried by the D viper in this picture is what I was referring to.

I have tried looking for catalog that suggests IMI produces the 370s but to no avail.

On the 'Jett' characteristics, IDF/AF Vipers did jettison the 370 with the bombs still on stat 3 and 7, against the safety recommendation, during Osiraq raid (I wonder if they have tested the separation before the operation ). That led me wonder if the tanks in the above reference were any speical.

cheers,

370's on sta's 3 & 7???? The main problem with that configuration (besides transfer plumbing and added transfer pumps) is that the drag coefficient and extra weight null extra range per payload. As one of our engineers put it, "All Bags with No Balls"! Not only that but the drop performance is seriously altered thus providing a major safety issue upon release.

As for 450 gal tanks, never heard of them. The 600 gal tank is the best extra range gainer for increasing fuel capacity as well as the CFT's, which 450 gal total as previously stated, though that varies.

From the pic you referenced to, I cannot tell what make the tank is since most of the aft pivot fitting is obscured.

BTW, your "ARC" thread just pulls up tha ARC main page. You need right click on the thread, pull up "properties", cut & paste the URL to link right.

Mike V

Discussions of wing tanks don't normally catch my attention (except when I have to punch them off), but pictures of KF-15's do! Deepspace, that's the coolest picutre of an F-15 I've ever seen!

-Burn

ViperEnforcer, the posted picture was download from a ARC thread quite sometime ago. I don't have the URL to the actual page. As I was posting a image file, I thought I mentioned the source(s). Hence I did mean to link the ARC main page. If you're interested, I will try to do a search. I remember the discussion was nothing more informative than the descriptions with the article.

There is another online article, speaking of configurating 370s on stat 4 and 6. By the way, am I right to understand, any modifications on the Vipers has to be submitted to LM for approval?

For the sake for discussion, though the aft pivot fitting is obscured, can I safetly say that, it is a 370 (from the end section of the tank). From this picture, the 600 is a 1 piece tank?

DeepSpace, I can't actually make up from the picture. Where is the probe to receive the drogue?

cheers,

Pumpkin, the probe is on the white tank carried under the 16's wing. This way of "male" IFR was chosen by the IAF because that way the probe isn't getting dangerously close to the cockpit. (This way the 16's can refuel from the A-4's, C-130's and the F-15's, as well as from the 'normal' K-707's).

cool DeepSpace, will wait for your translation on the article to the posted picture.

ViperEnforcer, here is the link to ARC thread.

cheers,