F-16A vs F-16C Maneuverability

[F-16ADF]

I am guessing the 220 A chart is for 20,000lbs. Since the Block 15 is nearly physically identical to the Block 42: same engine, and same sized wing. Only real difference is it not having the larger vertical tail base and bulged main gear doors as a consequence of the 42's higher MGTOW. So drop 2,000lb and max Instantaneous Turn Rate goes up. Also the FWS-188 chart for 15,000ft is at 19.8dps and 20,875lbs, subtract the 875lbs and you are probably now at the 20.1 of the Block 15-1-1. So a 20,000lbs F-16, regardless of the motor, will all have a relatively similar max Instantaneous Turn Rate because that metric is more of a factor of lift than thrust.

Also the Block 15 is still flying with a few hundred pounds more fuel than the 42. Square them both off for 50% and everything slightly increases even more in favor of the Block 15.



Getting back to topic A vs C. The A will have a lighter nose and better Instantaneous Turn/Radius up against its limiter than the C, meaning it will also perform better at slower speeds. Yet, the C (Block 30 BI as my example) will have greater acceleration/climb/Ps-sustained turns- bleed less energy than the A. I guess that having all those vs only giving up a few degrees of Instantaneous turn/slow speed is the deal breaker? Just my own observations here.


I found this and it echoes similar to the pilot testimony that Basher posted.

[viperzerof-2]

Some comparisons with the block 10 as the baseline. It sounds like the block 30 is a small mouth?

[Boman]

It sounds like the block 30 is a small mouth?

Block 30 comes in 2 "versions"; prior to serial 86-0262, they have the same "small mouth" (NCIS) intake as the A/B model. As the GE engine require more airflow, the intake was increased starting with F-16C 86-0262 and F-16D 86-0046. The same "wide mouth" is also employed on the Block 40, 50 and 60 aswell.

[viperzerof-2]

This has envelopes for the F-16A and F-16C:

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA535611.pdf

ADA535611.pdf

F-16 Fighting Falcon Program Overiew

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[eloise]

This has envelopes for the F-16A and F-16C:

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA535611.pdf

ADA535611.pdf

Great source, thank you

[f119doctor]

Interesting that their F-16C/D description includes only the IPE engines F110-129 and F100-229. These only became available for the Block 50/52 at production (although -229 has been retrofitted into some of the B42 jets). Seems to have skipped the Blocks 30/32 and 40/42. Not sure if the avionics description does the same.