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Posted: 9/30/2004 8:57:32 AM EDT
This is an awesome modification for longrange bombing missions using relatively light aircraft.
Say good by to the Iranian Reactors.   Israeli Weapons f-16I page Perfect for the delivery of these:  To Syria, Iran, Egypt, and Libya |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:01:55 AM EDT
[#1]
I dont see a main gun in the second pic, I wonder if they even yanked that for more fuel
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:05:11 AM EDT
[#2]
High performance airplane, but damn, did they ugly up a clean and sleek design. Even worse than the humpbacked A4 Skyhawks.
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:06:03 AM EDT
[#3]
Whats contained in the spine of that aircraft?
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:09:25 AM EDT
[#4]
Fuel and avionics most likely. Could even be empty space for future upgrades. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:09:33 AM EDT
[#5]
The I model is a very, VERY capable machine. Note the conformal fuel tanks on the upper sides of the fuselage. And that dorsal spine structure is for extra avionics....which Lockheed doesn't install! Those specialized Israeli electronics are a close secret and are designed, manufactured, and installed in Israel.
It's actually a more advanced and sophisticated model than any F-16 that our own Air Force has in its inventory. CJ |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:10:43 AM EDT
[#6]
Chaff/flares in the backbone, because it probably drives like a truck getting there. But at least it can fight it's way home after the target gets it's forces fully activated. An impressive amount of additions; wonder if this model was their idea or ours?
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:12:01 AM EDT
[#7]
On the spine, I would guess, would be avionics/targeting packages.
I like the conformal fuel tanks on the fuse..ala FAST packs on the Eagles... Look out Iran....I predict a 90% of it raining Paveways and a 100% chance of fallout...  Those Israelis know how to improve a weapons platform.... |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:12:16 AM EDT
[#8]
Fuckers its starting to look like a Mirage!
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:12:48 AM EDT
[#9]
I see what could pass for fuel bladders on the sides of the fuselage. That may also be what the spine is for. Or the spine could contain ECM equipment for all I know. This F-16I also looks to be a two-seater model. I guess we could think of it as a poor man's F-15E. But a damn fine substitute none-the-less!
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:14:18 AM EDT
[#10]
It is fuggly...looks riced out
 But it's cool they can conitnue to make an older design more and more effective. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:15:38 AM EDT
[#11]
WAY COOL! Over Wing conformal fuel tanks?..............COOL!  |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:19:34 AM EDT
[#12]
The Isreali F16I has ALL the toys you could ask for and then some……
F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER AND GROUND ATTACK AIRCRAFT, ISRAEL The F-16I Soufa ("Storm") is a modified variant of the F-16D Block 50 and 52 fighter and ground attack aircraft, with the avionics and weapons systems capability modified to meet the requirements of the Israeli Air Force. Israel ordered 50 F-16I aircraft in 2001 and signed the agreement for an optional additional 52 aircraft in September 2001. The Israeli Air Force has selected the F16I in a two-seat configuration only. The production program, Peace Marble V, is the fifth acquisition of F-16s and will increase the number of Israeli Air Force F-16 aircraft to 362, giving the IAF the largest fleet of F-16 fighters apart from the USA. The F16I Soufa made its maiden flight in December 2003. The first two aircraft were delivered to the IAF at the Ramon Air Base, in February 2004. Deliveries will be completed at a rate of about two per month over four years, with final delivery in 2008. There is a significant level of airframe co-production and avionics component production in Israel for the Soufa and for other variants of the F-16. IAI and Cyclone Aviation Products Ltd in Carmiel manufacture the ventral fins, rudders, horizontal stabilisers and engine access doors. The aircraft are assembled at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth, Texas. F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER DESIGN The F-16I is fitted with a pair of removable conformal fuel tanks provided by IAI. The conformal fuel tanks (CFT), holding 450 US gallons of extra fuel, are mounted on both sides of the upper fuselage. The very low drag configuration CFTs have a very small effect on the aircraft's agility, handling quality and flight limits. The use of the conformal tanks increases the aircraft's mission range and combat endurance. The fitting of conformal tanks makes the two wing inner store stations normally used for external tanks (stations 6 and 4, each rated at 4,500lb capacity) available for weapon carriage, doubling the aircraft's air-to-ground weapons capacity. The F16I is fitted with a dorsal avionics compartment. The first version produced with the dorsal compartment was the Israeli two-seat Block 30 F-16D aircraft, produced in the late 1980s. The large dorsal compartment extends from the rear of the cockpit to the fin and houses additional avionics systems, chaff and flare dispensers and the aircraft's in-flight refuelling receptacle. F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER COCKPIT The front cockpit is for the pilot and the rear cockpit is configured for the weapons systems operator or, with the change of a single switch, for a pilot instructor. The Elbit Dash IV Display and Sight Helmet System enables the pilot to aim the weapon by looking the target. Dash IV shortens the lock-on procedure time for engagements. The helmet measures the pilot's line of sight to the target so the sensors, avionics and weapons are slaved to the target. Dash IV improves situation awareness by helping the pilots to visually detect targets at high angles off the nose of the aircraft, providing critical information in any direction the pilot looks. The Soufa is fitted with a wide angle head up display from Elop and high definition (120ppi) 5in x 7in colour multi-function displays supplied by Elbit. Other new features include a colour moving map display, digital video recording equipment, cockpit lighting and external strip lighting compatible with night vision goggles and a high capacity data transfer set. F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER AVIONICS The Soufa has an advanced avionics suite including general avionics computer, colour display processors and interfaces all produced by Elbit Systems. The communications systems include a Rafael UHF/VHF radio and an HF radio, Elta satellite communications and an IAI integrated tactical video data link. The navigation system includes a combined ring laser gyro inertial navigation system and global positioning system (RLGINS/GPS) and a digital terrain system. Rafael developed the algorithms for the digital terrain system. F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER WEAPON SYSTEMS Elbit is supplying the aircraft's central mission computer, the signal processing unit for the displays and the stores management systems. RADA Electronics Industries in Netanya, Israel, and Smiths Aerospace, USA, have developed the aircraft's data acquisition system with an advanced digital data server and data recording system. Israel Military Industries supplies most of the weapons pylons and racks and the external fuel tanks. The mission data and video is downloaded to a ground debriefing station provided by RADA. The system has potential for three-dimensional, multi-aircraft mission creation. The Rafael Litening II targeting and navigation pod is equipped with a third generation forward looking infrared (FLIR), charge-coupled device (CCD) television, laser spot tracker and rangefinder and infrared marker. The system enables the pilot to detect, identify, acquire and track ground targets for the delivery of conventional and precision guided weapons, such as laser guided or GPS guided bombs. The aircraft is also equipped with the Lockheed Martin LANTIRN navigation pod which provides night navigation and all-weather automatic terrain following. F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES The air-to-air missiles will be the short range Python 4 and Python 5 and the short range to beyond visual range radar-guided Derby, both supplied by Rafael. The all-weather Derby has an active radar seeker, look down / shoot down capability, lock on before or after launch, and programmable electronic counter countermeasures (ECCM). The lock on before launch mode is deployed for tight dogfights. The F16I will be equipped with the Rafael Python 5 air-to-air missile when development has been completed. The Python 5 is capable of lock on after launch and uses imaging infrared guidance. The new seeker uses a dual wavelength focal plane array and is equipped with robust infrared counter countermeasures capability. F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER AIR-TO-GROUND SYSTEMS The air-to-surface weapons are carried on the two pairs of inboard underwing stations and include anti-ship missiles, anti-radiation missiles, laser guided bombs, GPS guided bombs and Israeli Military Industries (IMI) runway attack munitions. The F-16 aircraft has been used in carriage trials of IMI's STAR-1 anti-radiation weapon which is in the development phase. F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER COUNTERMEASURES The electronic warfare suite, being supplied by Elisra, includes radar warning receivers, missile approach warners and jamming systems, including the Elisra SPS 3000 self-protection jammer which is installed in the large spine. The chaff and flare dispenser is supplied by Rokar. F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER RADAR The aircraft has the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-68(V)9 multi-mode radar, which has five times the processing speed and ten times the memory capacity of the previous APG-68 radars on the F-16. Elta is involved in the co-production of the radar. The modes of operation include high resolution synthetic aperture (SAR) ground mapping and terrain following. The radar provides autonomous, all-weather, stand-off precision weapon delivery. Air-to-air modes include range while search, air combat mode, multiple target track while scan, cluster resolution, single target tracking and target illumination pulse Doppler tracking. The radar increases the air-to-air detection range by 30% compared to earlier generation systems. F-16I SOUFA FIGHTER ENGINES The Soufa is powered by the Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-229 Increased Performance Engine (IPE). This new, more powerful engine allows the aircraft a maximum take-off weight of 23,582kg. The aircraft is also fitted with heavyweight landing gear. www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f-16i/ |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:24:11 AM EDT
[#13]
That's not saying much - the UAE F-16 varient is a MUCH MUCH more sophisticated air craft than F-16s in the US Inventory. The Air Force declined to buy the upgrades, but the UAE requested them in their F-16 purchase (which the Air Force tried to block). |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:26:30 AM EDT
[#14]
While I have no doubt that their modifications make a big difference....
Ours look better! |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:27:40 AM EDT
[#15]
Oh, and I still say the experimental "cranked arrow" version of the F16 was one incredibly cool machine.
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:27:56 AM EDT
[#16]
Yeah, but a sophisticated F-16..............is still less capable than an F-15 C/E or an F-22.......... Plus didn't most of the Suadi pilots call in sick when Kuwait was attacked.......... That don't happen here. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:32:14 AM EDT
[#17]
Still only has one engine.
Can you say lawn dart. Sorry, guess you can tell I live near Luke AFB. There for a time they were losing one a month. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:34:34 AM EDT
[#18]
I wish that we would have given a few of these to the Israelis back in the mid 90's when we started taking our F-111 fleet out of service:
 They had good range, a helluva capacity and were good planes. The Israelis could have beefed up the avionics and modernized them if they had wanted. I've long felt the F-111 would still be a top notch airplane to this day if we had given it a few upgrades. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:35:12 AM EDT
[#19]
Geeze,The Israeli's posses over 350 F-16's alone...
How many total combat aircraft do they have? |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:41:13 AM EDT
[#20]
Hey the Arabs make some pretty sophisticated aircraft too.
Oh wait a minute, they don't. They bring in foreigners to do any technical work. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:41:30 AM EDT
[#21]
I understood that the IDF was offered F111's and considered it a affront.
They wanted, and may still want, Strike Eagle. Especally if they can get them with F119's in them. They are not fond of the Raptor either. Although they may change their minds after they see it actually used. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:57:05 AM EDT
[#22]
Probably our design but not put in our inventory. Most likely they swiped it from Lockheed. Not the first time either. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:00:38 AM EDT
[#23]
Come on all you nay-sayers! I think it looks awsome! F-16 RULE! I love the old symbol of american air superiority even in its new paint.
Let's hope they put it to good use! 
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:01:23 AM EDT
[#24]
It's just the new Block 52 F-16. The US uses them too. Brand new variant designed for longer ranges, as the saddles and improved spine all contain fuel bladders. Avionics get better and smaller, which requires less space, so there are no avionics in the spine.
Chaff and flare have to have somewhere to come out. They are mounted on the underside of the aircraft, on either side of the vertical stabilizer (tail). SSgt Lapp's .02, former F-16 AGE driver, and current AGE instructor. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:02:37 AM EDT
[#25]
Dump the ''lawn dart" thing. It's not an unsafe aircraft. Some losses were traced to defective augmentor housings (Afterburner sections) that were found on certain versions of the Pratt & Whitney powerplants. When the problem was identified, inspections were performed on the entire affected inventory, and corrective actions were taken. No such failures have occurred since.
The "It only has one engine so it must crash a lot" idea is pretty silly. Combat experiences have shown us that twin engine fighters rarely are flown home after getting shot in one engine. When that engine comes apart, it usually damages the other one, or there's a fire that necessitates the ejection of the crew. The real reason for twin engines is POWER. Reliability with two engines IS a little bit higher in non-combat operations, but that's not the main reason for putting in two engines. The other reason for "lawn darting" is G-LOC. G-induced Loss Of Consciousness. The plane can pull and maintain 9 G maneuvers, and that can exceed the pilot's capacity to withstand Gs. Some pilots have gone unconscious as a result of violent maneuvering (it can happen even to an experienced pilot at the 9 G level) and then simply crashed into the ground as you can't fly if you're not conscious. An automated system that would allow the autopilot to keep this from happening has been developed and tested, but hasn't been deployed to the fleet. I certainly think it should be! It would avoid most if not all terrain collisions. In air to air combat training missions between F15s and F16s, the two types are generally pretty evenly matched. There have been documented cases of a single F16 scoring simulated kills against all FOUR F15s in a flight, but then again, the reverse has happened, too. Pilot skill and situational awareness are the overriding factors. BTW, the chaff and flare dispensers on the F16I are NOT in the dorsal spine. That compartment is for extra avionics alone. Chaff and flare dispensers are located near the tail fairing under the vertical stabilizer. CJ |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:06:20 AM EDT
[#26]
Another great ol' plane no longer in service that would be capable of such a mission:
 These have the range and payload to take care of any problems that develop in Iran. Granted, they are older and not stealthy, but with Israeli F-15's flying top cover and Wild Weasels blazing a path, these could get it done, certainly as far as payload goes. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:06:45 AM EDT
[#27]
They also have an F-15I that has extra payload and longer range.
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:10:56 AM EDT
[#28]
It still bugs me to see a beautiful airframe like what we've seen with someone eles's colors on them.
Thank god when we see a F22, we know it's got the stars and bars. And we are the only bad ass mofo on the block with them. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:12:44 AM EDT
[#29]
Dang, that Israeli F-15I in the above photo, with it's camo paint job and gray nose looks a bit like a Russian SU-27 Flanker! At least as far as paint scheme goes.
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:18:31 AM EDT
[#30]
LOTS…Listed here… www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/iaf-equipment.htm Andy |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:20:30 AM EDT
[#31]
And for the 'experts who think Israel cannot reach Iran……
"The 25 F-15Is operational since 1999 [and the 100 F-16Is] were procured first and foremost to deal with the Iranian threat. In August 2003 the Israeli Air Force demonstrated the strategic capability to strike far-off targets such as Iran [which is 1,300 kilometers away], by flying three F-15 jets to Poland 1,600 nautical miles away. After they celebrated that country's air force's 85th birthday, on their return trip, the IAF warplanes staged a fly-past over the Auschwitz death camp. " Nuff said…… ANdy |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:21:47 AM EDT
[#32]
I know an IDF guy who told me that everything the buy from us, they upgrade in one way or another.
maybe we send them the stripped down models or something, but I doubt it (unless it has something to do with advanced avionics or radar technologies) Either way, I think the Israelis are a very ingenious lot, fight-wise. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:21:54 AM EDT
[#33]
WOW! 
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:29:52 AM EDT
[#34]
They already have Strike Eagles...
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:31:18 AM EDT
[#35]
While it is based on the Block 52 it has considerably enhanced home grown electronics. Your comment about there being no avionics in the dorsal spine is incorrect… it contains the indigenous Elrisa SPS 3000 Electronic warfare suite, additional chaff & flare dispensers and the refueling recepticle ANdy |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:40:18 AM EDT
[#36]
I like this quote from Shaul Mofaz, Israel's Defense Minister, on the unvieling of the Aircraft
"I look at the baby and it's strong and impressive -- and I hope it will make peace." Andy |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:44:21 AM EDT
[#37]
Or make those that want war rest in pieces. 
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Posted: 9/30/2004 11:31:43 AM EDT
[#38]
Israel is a small country, only a few minutes wide, in fighter terms. They may be too small to use the Raptor. By the time a Mig crosses into Israeli airspace, it's already at point blank range for a Raptor, well inside it's firing envelope and no longer at a disadvantage. Stealth technology doesn't mean a thing when you can eyeball the plane.
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Posted: 9/30/2004 11:45:52 AM EDT
[#39]
I have no doubt Israel would attack Iran if threatened.
CRC |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 1:15:25 PM EDT
[#40]
They upgraded the F-4's avionics suite a while back, still flying those I believe.
Don't forget, the enemy also has AA weapon systems upgrade programs! |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 1:18:33 PM EDT
[#41]
70 left in the inventory… called 'Kurnass'… 'Sledghammer' in Israeli service Andy |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 1:27:26 PM EDT
[#42]
Yep. And they also built a prototype Super Phantom, which was heavily modified and included fly-by-wire avionics, and essentially made the whole cockpit "up to the minute" and did wonders with the electronic systems in general. It had the most powerful and capable airborne radar in the world.
I don't remember if they upgraded the engines or not, but if they used Phantoms that were originally fitted for Rolls-Royce Spey engines, they might have been able to shoehorn a pair of P&W F100s or GE F110s in there, which would REALLY be something! Sadly, they chose not to make more Super Phantoms. They'd have been real asskickers, surprisingly competitive with the F-15...and maybe even superior in some respects. CJ |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 1:39:02 PM EDT
[#43]
And everyone should look into the F-15i as well. THOSE they already have. The F-16i is just being purchases / rolled out. Israel ALREADY has hardware capable of pummeling the Iranian Nuke program. 100% likelihood they will within the next 12mos, before the Iranian Reactor goes 'hot'. The USA should do it. The Israelis HAVE to. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 1:43:06 PM EDT
[#44]
As strange as it sounds, IMI got a huge contract from, of all people, Turkey to upgrade their Phantom fleet. Turkey now operates the world's largest Phantom force. Israel has moved theirs to training/reserve and I think the Luftwaffe has retired the last of theirs (and sold them to Turkey for spares, if I'm not mistaken). |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:19:46 PM EDT
[#45]
We stil have them in service but are replacing them with F35s. They are too costly to maintain and their airframes are getting too old. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 9:26:34 PM EDT
[#46]
They could however use something stealthy that doesn't cost $200M a copy. |
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:23:58 PM EDT
[#47]
cool.
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Posted: 9/30/2004 10:27:54 PM EDT
[#48]
If anyone lives out in the DFW area you can go to the factory and see them on their check flights / delivery flights near the end of the month.
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Posted: 10/1/2004 5:09:08 AM EDT
[#49]
What are the odds of bumming your way into the back seat on a check ride?
 It'd be a hoot, that's for sure! I heard that the number one training problem that the Israelis have with their student jet pilots is that they have a hard time flying in a straight line. (With Israel being so small, you can't fly straight for long before violating a border, so the joke is that the students only know how to fly in circles.) CJ |
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Posted: 10/1/2004 7:50:56 AM EDT
[#50]
I wonder what the IAF would do if they were offered A10s.
Kharn |
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