Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

Hi Folks

About the F-16I Sufa, we all know that the fighter has been equipped with the CFTs, but if you check any F-16I's operational photo you would see that the planes are operating without the CFTs. Why is that? Aren't the Sufas equipped with these tanks?

Thanks

F-16.net Sponsor

The Sufa can be either fitted with the CFT's or not. It's all a matter of 2 hours on the ground to install or uninstall the CFT's, it's all depends on the mission's profile.

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

DeepSpace is always there for any thread on the F-16I.

Marcelo, check out this thread on the CFT too.

cheers, Very Happy

I'm here and ready to serve Laughing

According to the latest Flight International, in an article about Greek F-16 Block 15+, CFTs cause stress along the sides of the fuselage. Therefore they are probably used only when necessary,

The "I" with CFT's - Cruddy Fat Tanks, looks like its got saddle bags on it. Like we've always said about fat charlies... Saddle Bag a$$...

I don't think CFTs produce serious stress on the aircraft. Wing tanks cause much more stress than CFTs. The advantage of CFTs is that you carry about 3000lbs (instead of almost 5000 from wing tanks) but with almost zero drag! HAF is already using CFTs very often.

Remember CFTs are external fuel tanks, just like the ones under the wings - if your mission doesn't require the extra range provided by carrying extra fuel, there is no need to carry them. You don't see F-16s flying around with empty underwing tanks just because they can...

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

Hey guys, found this article. Dated Nov 2002. I don't suppose the information about equipping the USAF Viper with the CFT is correct Shocked

?

And ...LM has orders for the new F-16s from 7 countries? New Vipers with the CFT? I wonder which are the 7. Rolling Eyes

cheers,

I think the writer of that article knows not of what he writes... Wink

Actually, I wouldnt be surprised if we got some 60's. I was reading in the AF Times today that they're gonna retire 10 F-117's, unretire some B-1's and might buy some more F-16's and F-15's which means to me that we'll either get some more 50 CCIP's or some 60's.

Okay,

Here is the short and sweet on the CFT issue. The F-16I’s are not being delivered with the tanks right now because of additional testing regarding the in-air-refueling operation with the CFTs installed. Yes, initially they did deliver many HAF aircraft (52+) with the tanks installed; however, the question of in-air-refueling came up after HAF delivery was underway and no F-16s are being delivered with CFTs installed at this time. Once the evaluation is completed the F-16I aircraft will more than likely be delivered with the tanks installed and then the option of using them will be opened up once again.

As far as the USAF using them, not probable at this time, mainly due to the ‘G’ restrictions.

Those 'G' restrictions are temporary I believe...

That issue is still inwork. All indications due point to "temporay".

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

habu2, I guess that is the 'beauties' of reading information from the web.. Wink

hi MrFalconFixer, I would like to follow up from your post.

Quote:

As far as the USAF using them, not probable at this time, mainly due to the ‘G’ restrictions.

I was under the impression, USAF decided not to employ CFT was more a matter of the absent of operational need? Nonetheless, care to elaborate on the 'G' restrictions, you have mentioned? From this article by LM, it mentions a set of CFT carries 12 percent of the drag.. and ... are designed for the full F-16 flight envelope – up to 9 g’s. Does the drag figure reduces the 'g' figure?

Quote:

the question of in-air-refueling came up after HAF delivery was underway

From the same article, (A total of 54 test flights and 135 flight test hours were accomplished. Testing included fuel system functional operation, air refueling, loads, flutter, stability and control, and vibration.) Again, I was under the impression, the flight tests, left no stones unturned? Shocked

Thanks,

Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

F-16I CFT question