Three quarter left rear view of the VISTA (#86048) ready for another testflight from Edwards AFB. [USAF photo]
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F-16 #86048
The F-16 VISTA (Variable stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft) was designed to demonstrate the tactical utility of thrust vectoring in close-in air combat and the use of integrated control of thrust vectoring in flight. The aircraft has demonstrated a steady angle of attack of as much as 86 degrees and a transient angle of attack of up to 180 degrees. In other words, the aircraft can fly backwards for a brief time. The VISTA was later re-designated as the NF-16D, transferred to NASA and was used in the MATV and AVEN test programs.
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