F-16CJ vs F-16CG

Cash · by **Cash** » 20 Dec 2003, 19:24

What are the major external visual differences between these two types of F-16's?

habu2 · by **habu2** » 20 Dec 2003, 20:27

Virtually none. You might see stiffener plates on the backs of some Blk 40/42s (CG) and not on 50/52s (CJ), but I rely on the shape of the HUD (WAR vs WAC) to distinguish between them. This of course assumes you don't have or can't look up the serial number to tell...

If they are carrying pods on the inlets stations (5L and/or 5R) you might be able to tell. If the jet has both LANTIRN pods on at the same time it is a CG but if it only has the targeting pod then you can't be sure because it might be the LITENING II instead of LANTIRN, and both CG and CJ can use LITENING II. If the jet has the HTS on 5R then it is a CJ, as this pod is exclusive to the CJ at this time.

mark · by **mark** » 20 Dec 2003, 23:30

The stiffener plates you are refering to will be installed on most USAF F-16's, the block 40/42's were just the first to get them.

habu2 · by **habu2** » 21 Dec 2003, 02:17

mark, what was the name of the program that added the plates, was that Falcon Up? Are the 50/52s scheduled to get the plates too?

mark · by **mark** » 21 Dec 2003, 04:28

Yep... it was a small part of Falcon Up. There was a lot more to the TCTO than the beefup plates. It involved a heavier duty battery mod, back up fittings for the fwd skate mount, different longerons that run through the F-1 fuel cell and into the F-2 tank area etc. The block 30/32's are undergoing this now.

I will have to check with the guys I know in the depot hangar on monday and see what the time frame is for the 50/52's. I do know that the 50/52's are having the MMC mod done to them along with a few other stuctural items.

elp · by **elp** » 22 Dec 2003, 18:10

On the CJ's, Someday it will be HTS pod on one side of the Intake ( as it is now ) and the new SNIPER will also be one of the pods you start seeing on the other side.

mark · by **mark** » 22 Dec 2003, 18:19

Ok..., the "official/unofficial" word about the beefup plates on the 50/52's from the structure guys I know is: "I dont think so"... LOL

habu2 · by **habu2** » 22 Dec 2003, 20:41

mark, that is kind of what I was thinking. After the problems were found in the heavier 40/42s in the field, changes were probably made in the 50/52s design before they were produced. The 40/42s already in the field were 'fixed' with the beef-up plates.

Rigamortis · by **Rigamortis** » 24 Dec 2003, 01:30

The block 50/52 had the beefups built in to them in the factory. This was what I was told by an engineer at Eddies, that is why you wont see the plates in the 50/52.

Rigo

Tuff · by **Tuff** » 24 Dec 2003, 20:11

Rigamortis wrote:The block 50/52 had the beefups built in to them in the factory. This was what I was told by an engineer at Eddies, that is why you wont see the plates in the 50/52.

Rigo

I believe that is TCTO 2060

ViperEnforcer · by **ViperEnforcer** » 25 Dec 2003, 20:07

I am pretty sure that the Block 40 scab plating is only a block 40 thing. Both Block 40 and 42's were the first heavy weight Vipes, thus the increased load capabilty put a bit more strain on the aircraft. We did some initial strain test on that specific issue here at Edwards in the early 90's, which continued on when I got there in 95. By the time all the block 40/42's were beefed up, the block 50's had the airframe internally strengthend on the production line. I have yet to see or here of block 30's, or any other block (other than 40/42) getting the same beef up plates. Just the wing and dorsal tail nase plating is all I've seen.

Mike

ViperEnforcer · by **ViperEnforcer** » 25 Dec 2003, 20:13

Tuff wrote:
Rigamortis wrote:The block 50/52 had the beefups built in to them in the factory. This was what I was told by an engineer at Eddies, that is why you wont see the plates in the 50/52.

Rigo

I believe that is TCTO 2060

Hey, Is this Rig as in Rigalosi??!! If so, then yo dude, It's Mike Valdez. Merry X mas. The Rigamortis caught my attention, then the Eddie's thing.

Still working Phase dock, or moved on?

Man, I am still trying to figure out this new JET. I hope to get a grip before to long.

Email me, I have your TENAX, but need your address to send.

Mike

Habu · by **Habu** » 26 Dec 2003, 08:40

Hey Mike, glad you made it over here. Take some time to browse the forums, and of course, the rest of the site. The mods and the webbie here have done otustanding job, and I think you'll agree.

Welcome aboard!
I'm a big post whore here too, as you can tell
<----

habu2 · by **habu2** » 28 Dec 2003, 19:42

ViperEnforcer, hey it's habu2 as in Greg D - we traded info on the lizard CAS sernos a couple of years ago, remember? (ok everybody sing "its a small small small small world"...) :mrgreen:

ViperEnforcer · by **ViperEnforcer** » 28 Dec 2003, 23:47

Oh yeah, I remember that. Some good info was had. Plus I've been pushing Bob to knock out a sheet for the CAS F-16C program. After all, it should be pretty easy, all black data!

Mike