Help in identifying these F-16s

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 07 Nov 2003, 10:13

Hi,

Can anyone give us more info on the subjects below. Just click on the pictures to see a larger image.

From which airforces are the two vipers shown below?

<a href="PhotoGallery/album04/brl.jpg"><img src="PhotoGallery/album04/brl.thumb.jpg" width=150 height=100></a>
<a href="PhotoGallery/album04/bxc.jpg"><img src="PhotoGallery/album04/bxc.thumb.jpg" width=150 height=100></a>

The serial on the aircraft below shows 80097. Can anyone confirm this one. To our knowledge, there is no F-16 with such a serial. Can anyone provide us with the complete FY allocation number?

<a href="PhotoGallery/album04/ckj.jpg"><img src="PhotoGallery/album04/ckj.thumb.jpg" width=150 height=100></a>

And another interesting one. The aircraft below (80557) was originally built as an F-16A block 15. As you can all see, it is rebuilt as an F-16C higher block. Can anyone provide more details about this conversion, and maybe other conversions like this one?

<a href="PhotoGallery/album04/cln.jpg"><img src="PhotoGallery/album04/cln.thumb.jpg" width=150 height=100></a>

Thanks in advance!!

Greets,

Bjorn · by **Bjorn** » 07 Nov 2003, 11:03

Solution found on second aircraft. It is one of the latest block 50 USAF F-16's already equipped with the CCIP upgrade, which adds the 'bird slicers' IFF system to the aircraft.

Does anyone where and during which deployment this photograph was taken ?

elp · by **elp** » 07 Nov 2003, 14:01

This is the info on the second photo via USAF. Note: The caption has me confused. Do they pull the Harm appliance on CJs and put on LANTIRN Targeting pods as shown in the photo?? If not, it isn't a CJ.

Bit of a scavenger hunt. If you find the pilots call sign you might get more info.

That is obviously a 2000lb JDAM on the Right wing.

original caption-

April 5, 2003 an F-16CJ pilot known as "ABU" assigned to the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron prepares to taxi out on a combat sortie from this forward deployed location in the Gulf region in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Terry L. Blevins)

High resolution image:
http://www.af.mil/media/photodb/photos/ ... 2B-013.jpg

**Guest** · by **Guest** » 07 Nov 2003, 15:19

The F-16CJ is from the South Carolina ANG.. based at Al Udeid AB, Qatar. During the later half of Operation Iraqi Freedom.. F-16CJs with the new CCIP configuration started using LANTIRN targetting pods. The units that used this were the SC ANG.. and later the CCIP configured 389FS from Mountain Home deployed. Soon F-16CJs will be sporting new Sniper XR pods on the right chin and the HTS pods on the left chin for SEAD/DEAD capability.

marsu · by **marsu** » 07 Nov 2003, 15:31

elp wrote:That is obviously a 2000lb JDAM on the Right wing.

How can you tell that it's a 2000lbs JDAM and not a regular 2000-pounder ?

marsu

habu2 · by **habu2** » 07 Nov 2003, 16:45

Photo #1 is an RSAF F-16D - I am basing this on the ADF-style IFF antenna farm on the nose and the black/yellow checkers, which matches another photo recently uploaded and identified as an RSAF bird.

Photo #2 looks like a Block 52 with a Lightning II pod. It has a WAC HUD (not WAR like Blk 40/42), bulged main gear doors and landing lights on the nose gear door, and a small mouth NSI intake.

Photo #3 is 78-0097, an Eglin test bird with a test load of SDBs.

Photo #4 is 80-0557, an Edwards CTF (Combined Test Force) bird. There are a couple of As and Bs at Edwards that have been fitted with C/D tails, avionics, etc. for testing purposes.

elp · by **elp** » 07 Nov 2003, 16:54

Anonymous wrote:The F-16CJ is from the South Carolina ANG.. based at Al Udeid AB, Qatar. During the later half of Operation Iraqi Freedom.. F-16CJs with the new CCIP configuration started using LANTIRN targetting pods. The units that used this were the SC ANG.. and later the CCIP configured 389FS from Mountain Home deployed. Soon F-16CJs will be sporting new Sniper XR pods on the right chin and the HTS pods on the left chin for SEAD/DEAD capability.

Good info. Thanks!

habu2 · by **habu2** » 07 Nov 2003, 16:56

elp, 50/52s can carry and use LANTIRN, they just can't display LANTIRN imagery on the HUD. The imagery is displayed on the MFDS instead. Same goes for the 30/32s, not sure about the 25s. I used to practice this all the time in the 50/52 sims.

I should qualify part of my previous post - I can't really tell if it is a LANTIRN TGP or a Lightning II - they look the same from the front. But given the (apparent) fact that this is a Blk 52 CCIP bird I would expect this to be the "newer better" Lightning II pod.

marsu, it may be hard to see but the 'jacket' on the Mk 84 is part of the JDAM mod. See this site:

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/mis ... flash.html

Guest, I have never seen HTS on the left, only the right. Did they come up with (and qualify) a whole new pylon mount for the left handed HTS?

elp · by **elp** » 07 Nov 2003, 16:56

marsu wrote:
elp wrote:That is obviously a 2000lb JDAM on the Right wing.

How can you tell that it's a 2000lbs JDAM and not a regular 2000-pounder ?

marsu

See the girdle around it in the hi-res version of the photo? That is the mid part of a JDAM kit. That one also goes by another name GBU-31.( and variations) See the pointy tip? Should be a BLU-109 body. For hard targets and/or digs into the ground a bit before going off. Nice big hole in the ground. ( remember the B-1 strike on the restaurant in Baghdad that was supposed to have SH in it? That big hole is its calling card. ( that strike was two of the point tips followed by 2 regular ones )

I would prefer a munitions pro to confirm nomenclature. I get dumb real quick when trying to keep track of all the main body names. They also do a better job explaining all the components chapter and verse.

Habu-2 Yes it is hard to tell if it is a LANTIRN or LITENING from that photo. Guard jets, then the Reserves started using LITENING and that very well could be. I would deffer to members of the unit or someone way better than me to figure that out. Good catch on the HUD.

habu2 · by **habu2** » 07 Nov 2003, 17:01

The CTF bird in #4 also has the GPS mod - you can see the (unpainted) antenna behind the canopy. The tail is 'technically' a Block 25 tail, it lacks the scoops/vents added to the 30/32 tails for the ASPJS mod that never happened.

elp · by **elp** » 07 Nov 2003, 17:20

3rd photo is cool. Cant tell that might even be the optional Diamondback fold out wing kit fitted to the SDB ( small diameter bomb ).

I can hardly wait for SDB to be certified operational. Awesome.

marsu · by **marsu** » 07 Nov 2003, 17:38

You guys are amazing. Thanks for all the info ! :-)

marsu

habu2 · by **habu2** » 07 Nov 2003, 18:05

elp, yes they have the diamondback wings. Those things look downright spooky in 'flight'...

And yes, it is spelled LITENING - my bad. I should have remembered that since 301 FW was the first to get them.

http://www.af.mil/factsheets/fs_114.shtml

More on JDAM on the same site:

http://www.af.mil/factsheets/fs_108.shtml

GregD

habu2 · by **habu2** » 07 Nov 2003, 18:24

Comparing LANTIRN and LITENING II, the latter is 9" (23cm) longer, 1" (2.5cm) greater diameter, and $1,800,000 :shock:

less expensive than a LANTIRN TGP. Hard to tell apart unless they are side by side.

I would guess the LANTIRN NAV pod has been replaced in functionality by GPS and DTS upgrades.

Pumpkin · by **Pumpkin** » 07 Nov 2003, 21:27

Hi guys,
I am newbie to the Forum. Great discussions here!

habu2

Photo #1 is an RSAF F-16D - I am basing this on the ADF-style IFF antenna farm on the nose and the black/yellow checkers, which matches another photo recently uploaded and identified as an RSAF bird.

My guess is the Viper in Photo#1 is not a RSAF F-16D, but a ADF's Viper. I can't really see from the picture. But I think there is another IFF antenna just infront of the Nose Landing Gear. In addition, the RSAF F-16D is equipped with the Aft Seat HUD Monitor in the aft seat, which is missing in the picture.

cheers,