F-16 & F-15s

[walama]

Hi guys, I've got a question which suddenly came up to my mind as i was reading up on the specs of the F-15 and F-16. F-15Cs generally known as a air superiority fighter, have better radar and longer ranges and it also performs well in close combat dogfights. Therefore I'm curious and is anyone able to explain why some airforces in the world like US and Israeli Airforce are using both of them and not only the F-15s. What role would the F-16s play in the presence of F-15s as the F-15 pretty much covered its role in air to air and F-15 Es are also able to perform Air to Ground Roles better if i'm not wrong with its greater payload and range.

And also given that you are an F-16 pilot and faces an F-15 as your enemy in BVR head to head. What can you do to get into WVR without getting killed and try to engage in a dogfight?

[avon1944]

Hi guys, I've got a question which suddenly came up to my mind as i was reading up on the specs of the F-15 and F-16. F-15Cs generally known as a air superiority fighter, have better radar and longer ranges and it also performs well in close combat dogfights. Therefore I'm curious and is anyone able to explain why some airforces in the world like US and Israeli Airforce are using both of them and not only the F-15s.

Initially, there was a greater gap in overall performance. The F-16 was to be the low cost "day light" fighter while the F-15 was the very high, price day/night, with every bell, button and, whistle available for a fighter. The F-16 is a great turning machine and few aircraft can match its performance. The new variety of "pods" has turned the F-16 into a formidable combat fighter. The F-15 turns well but, at most dogfight speeds and altitudes not quite as good as the F-16. The F-16 is supreme in a knife fight. The F-15's great advantage is its big radar which gave it a big advantage when in combat without AWACS support.
When the Israeli AF's attack the nuclear reactor at Osiraq, Iraq.... they could have used F-16's as fighter escort. But, they were without any support during the entire mission. In that case, the big radar and the ability to operate better on their own is the reason the IAF used the six F-15's on that mission as the escort fighters.

What role would the F-16s play in the presence of F-15s as the F-15 pretty much covered its role in air to air

The same way NORAD uses F-16's, as interceptors. Now, in Alaska where the additional range is a factor and, the big radar, the F-15 is the choice.

F-15 Es are also able to perform Air to Ground Roles better if i'm not wrong with its greater payload and range.

The F-15E is a different animal entirely. While it does have 'some' air to air ability, it is not the equal of the F-15C or the F-16C in air superiority. As a deep penetrating bomber, it is the finest of its type in the world (since the retirement of the FB-111)!

you are an F-16 pilot and faces an F-15 as your enemy in BVR head to head

The early F-15 radars could lose the F-16 when it did the "beam maneuver" and there are other situations in which the F-15's would have greater difficulty than usual in detecting a F-16. How effective these tactics are now that AESA radars are being used, I don't know. 'We' in the public will have to wait awhile to see how these new radars work and how tactics change.

Adrian

[walama]

Thanks alot mate! that pretty cleared up my queries on it. So am I right to say that I would have to rely much on skills and maneuvers if i'm matched up with an opponent with longer range and radar?