The new BAE Systems F-16

[Just This Once...]

Looks like BAE Systems got the South Korean F-16 upgrade programme. Fort Worth will never be the same.

When I see BAE and LockMart swinging at each other I have no idea who to cheer for.

[LowObservable]

And the LM program (CAPES) is looking wobbly because the USAF may not be able to afford it. In any event they were trying for a Stone Soup approach where non-U.S. customers would chip in on R&D. No MLU-type giveaway deals this time around.

Interesting note - BAE program boss is an old GDFW F-16 guy who bailed not long after LM came in and buried all the sexy Super F-16 designs, because they made Porky Pig look... well, like Porky Pig.

[Squirrel 41]

LO,

What were GDFW working on as F-16 derivatives?

Kind regards,

S41

[Lima Juliet]

S41

At a guess...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Twin_F-16XL_duo.jpg/296px-Twin_F-16XL_duo.jpg

[LowObservable]

Try this, plus the diverterless supersonic inlet and chevronned stealth nozzle, and an option for a half-new engine (CFM56-7 core + scaled F414 LP system). Proposed in 1994-95, but not proceeded with.

http://sitelife.aviationweek.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/7/11/d71a074f-bea9-4f1a-8b08-36fb25a524e7.Large.jpg

[GreenKnight121]

Leon - that was the F-16XL, which was begun in 1977 as the F-16 SCAMP (Supersonic Cruise and Maneuver Prototype). In 1980 the USAF joined General Dynamics in the program, and donated the 3rd & 5th production F-16 airframes for conversion (these were the only F-16XLs ever built).

In March 1981 the USAF announced the Enhanced Tactical Fighter program to procure a replacement for the F-111. General Dynamics submitted the F-16XL, while McDonnell Douglas submitted what became the F-15E. In February 1984, the USAF awarded the ETF contract to McDonnell Douglas. The two F-16XLs were returned to the Air Force and placed in storage at Edwards Air Force Base, Mojave, California.

This ended the F-16XL program (although NASA used them from 1988-1999 for research flights).

Lockheed bought GD in 1993, so the F-16XL was a dead program 9 years before the events LO was referring to. Note that McDonnell Douglas was bought by Boeing in 1997.


In 1995 this was proposed, for production starting in ~2010 (note the lack of a vertical stabilizer). F-16 Versions - F-16X :: F-16.net (http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article23.html)
http://www.f-16.net/g3/var/resizes/f-16-photos/album11/album28/aac.jpg?m=1371912092