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.

Development

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. Peacock 1997, p. 54.

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, but two other powerplant choices were also explored. The Model 1601 had an improved Pratt & Whitney F100, while the Model 1602 used the General Electric F101. 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. 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.

Buttler 2008, p. 207.

Variants Model 1600 A strengthened version of the F-16 Block 10 with carrier arrestor hook and revised nosewheel.Senior 2003, p. 21. It was powered by the Pratt & Whitney F401 (JTF22A-26C) afterburning turbofan.Thomason 2009, p. 163.Buttler 2008, p. 208. Model 1601 Similar to Model 1600, except equipped with an upgraded Pratt & Whitney F100 (JTF22B-25) afterburning turbofan. Model 1602 Similar to Model 1601, except with a General Electric F101-100 engine, a further enlarged fuselage, and avionics and armament changes.Buttler 2008, p. 206. Model 1602B Final submission in March 1975; least like the F-16.Thomason 2009, p. 164.

Specifications (Model 1600)

See also

References Notes

Bibliography

External links F-16 page on GlobalSecurity.org