Model 1600 | |
---|---|
Artist's concept of the Model 1600 | |
Role | Carrier-based fighter |
Manufacturer | Vought / General Dynamics |
Status | Canceled |
Primary user | United States Navy (intended) |
Developed from | General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon |
The Vought/General Dynamics Model 1600 series was a fighter aircraft proposal for the United States Navy's Navy Air Combat Fighter (NACF) program. The Model 1600 was a carrier-based derivative of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, but lost to the Northrop/ McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.
Following the YF-16's victory over the Northrop YF-17 for the U.S. Air Force's Air Combat Fighter program, General Dynamics decided a navalized variant of the F-16 could also be suitable in the Navy's Navy Air Combat Fighter (NACF) program. Having no carrier aircraft experience, General Dynamics teamed up with Vought ( LTV Aerospace), which had designed the successful carrier-capable F-8 Crusader and A-7 Corsair II for the Navy. If selected, Vought would have produced the carrier version of the F-16. [1]
Vought created three concepts for the navalized F-16. The main proposal was the Model 1600, which was based on the Block 10 F-16, which featured structural strengthening, an arrestor hook, and a more robust undercarriage to accommodate carrier launch and recovery operations. The Model 1600 featured the Pratt & Whitney F401, [2] but two other powerplant choices were also explored. [3] The Model 1601 had an improved Pratt & Whitney F100, while the Model 1602 used the General Electric F101. [3] The aircraft was to be armed with AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Launch rails were to be added on the sides of the intake for AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. [3] However, the Navy preferred a twin-engine aircraft, among other reasons, and on 2 May 1975 it selected the Northrop- McDonnell Douglas YF-17-based Model 267 proposal, which became the F/A-18 Hornet. [1] [4]
Data from Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945–1978 [5]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Model 1600 | |
---|---|
Artist's concept of the Model 1600 | |
Role | Carrier-based fighter |
Manufacturer | Vought / General Dynamics |
Status | Canceled |
Primary user | United States Navy (intended) |
Developed from | General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon |
The Vought/General Dynamics Model 1600 series was a fighter aircraft proposal for the United States Navy's Navy Air Combat Fighter (NACF) program. The Model 1600 was a carrier-based derivative of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, but lost to the Northrop/ McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.
Following the YF-16's victory over the Northrop YF-17 for the U.S. Air Force's Air Combat Fighter program, General Dynamics decided a navalized variant of the F-16 could also be suitable in the Navy's Navy Air Combat Fighter (NACF) program. Having no carrier aircraft experience, General Dynamics teamed up with Vought ( LTV Aerospace), which had designed the successful carrier-capable F-8 Crusader and A-7 Corsair II for the Navy. If selected, Vought would have produced the carrier version of the F-16. [1]
Vought created three concepts for the navalized F-16. The main proposal was the Model 1600, which was based on the Block 10 F-16, which featured structural strengthening, an arrestor hook, and a more robust undercarriage to accommodate carrier launch and recovery operations. The Model 1600 featured the Pratt & Whitney F401, [2] but two other powerplant choices were also explored. [3] The Model 1601 had an improved Pratt & Whitney F100, while the Model 1602 used the General Electric F101. [3] The aircraft was to be armed with AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Launch rails were to be added on the sides of the intake for AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. [3] However, the Navy preferred a twin-engine aircraft, among other reasons, and on 2 May 1975 it selected the Northrop- McDonnell Douglas YF-17-based Model 267 proposal, which became the F/A-18 Hornet. [1] [4]
Data from Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945–1978 [5]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists