Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

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

hey guys,

I am trying to learn more about the history and background to the avionic spine of the Viper. I have questions like...

Who actually came out with the idea?
Was the idea originated from AFTI?
Which is the first D platform to be equipped with the spine, VISTA or IAF Viper?
etc...

I have tried reading the articles for Versions/VISTA/AFTI and Users/IAF but did not find anything on the history of the spine.

Appreciate if anyone can provide any references or information.

Thanks, Very Happy

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Quote:

Was the idea originated from AFTI?

The AFTI was the first appearance of an external spine structure on an F-16.

Quote:

Which is the first D platform to be equipped with the spine, VISTA or IAF Viper?..etc

IDF was first, to house their specialized electronics. The first Block 30 D models procured by Israel featured the definitive spine. VISTA came later, and handles the special computers used for the flight control tests.

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

thanks habu2,

I remember I saw these very 'naked' (with most if not all panels opened) pictures of the AFTI on the internet, showing the Viper under modification. Can't seem to locate these pictures now. Sad

Am I right to put it as such; IAF has provided LM the concept of additional storage for avionics. And LM answered the requirement with the big spine D Viper. All R&D costs were part of PMII buy? Shocked

cheers,

I don't know for sure, but I would assume that the spine was added to AFTI because all that instrumentation would not fit inside the 'stock' airframe. Israel saw the AFTI and thought 'hey we could stuff a bunch of EW gear in one of those, go build us some!'. That's just a guess though.

Just curious, any experts here who can share with us what the spines on the F-16Ds consist of?

From what I know of, IAF was the first to showcase their F-16D with spines, followed by RSAF (Republic of Sinagpore Airforce) which bought 2 or 3 dozens of spined F-16D, and most recently HAF too....

Is it an IAI equipment of a Lockheed option?

Israel won't even tell Lockheed what is in the spine... ask me how I know. Sad

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

habu2 wrote:

Israel won't even tell Lockheed what is in the spine... ask me how I know. Sad

Have read your response regarding the same issue in the earlier thread. Understand the rationale you have mentioned. But no offences intended habu2, but I guess that was the correct way, how thing should go about doing then.

sorry RSAF-G2, as much as I would like to know, the discussion on the content of the spine should be off the board. Just my 2 cents worth.

RSAF-G2 wrote:

Just curious, any experts here who can share with us what the spines on the F-16Ds consist of?

From what I know of, IAF was the first to showcase their F-16D with spines, followed by RSAF (Republic of Sinagpore Airforce) which bought 2 or 3 dozens of spined F-16D, and most recently HAF too....

Is it an IAI equipment of a Lockheed option?

It's built by Lockheed as a standard but empty cos the customer will install what they need except for the C/F dispensers. What goes inside is real hush hush but I'm sure most would have guessed what's inside just not the specific kit.

Anyone knows why some spinces have 3 dispensers on each side and some have 2? Is the extra dispensers covered on those with 2 or it's a different config?

Hi guys,

I merged the two "spines" topics since they cover the same topic.

Stefaan

Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

Avionics spine for F-16D