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Ukraine F-16 Speculation Mounts as Russia Loses 8 Fighter Jets in 3 Weeks
(www.newsweek.com)
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this post was submitted on 27 Dec 2023
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Is that true? I thought they were either built for multirole or air superiority/intercepting? I didn't think any of the variants were built as attackers.
The primary mission will likely be intercepting cruise missiles. The F-16C Block 50 that Ukraine is getting was the late 80s and early 90s model. The F-16s the United States flies are the Block 70. The aircraft includes a Honeywell H-423 Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System (RLG INS) for rapid in-flight alignment; GPS receiver; Data Transfer Cartridge with a larger capacity (128KB) to accommodate the planned avionics growth; Improved Data Modem for faster data transmission; AN/ALR-56M advanced RWR; AN/ALE-47 threat adaptive countermeasure system; digital terrain system data transfer cartridge; cockpit compatible with night vision systems; advanced IFF interrogator; Upgraded Programmable Display Generator (UPDG); MIL-STD-1760 data bus for programming new-generation PGMs; Horizontal Situation Display (HSD) for increased situational awareness and tactical flexibility on all missions.
The Block 50 also carries the Westinghouse AN/APG-68 V(5) radar, which offers longer-range detection against air targets and higher reliability. The radar has a programmable signal processor employing high-speed integrated circuit (VHSIC) technology. The latest batches of Block 50/52 carry the same radar, but versions V(7) and V(8) offer even greater-performance envelopes. The VHF/FM antenna is now incorporated into the leading edge of the vertical fin and has an extended operating distance. The cockpit includes two monochrome MFDs and a FOV HUD.
The Block 50s can fire the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the AGM-65G Maverick missile, and the PGU-28/B 20mm cannon round. The Block 50 can carry JDAM munition, the AGM-154A/B JSOW, and is the first F-16 version to integrate the AGM-84 Harpoon antishipping missile. The aircraft can launch the Harpoon in line-of-sight, bearing-only, and range/bearing modes. The addition of the Harpoon gives the F-16 a significant standoff range anti-shipping capability, especially when combined with optional 600-gallon fuel tanks.
It will go a long way at hurting Russia's ability to conduct it's war, but the aircraft alone will not win the war. It won't be a match for air-to-air in most engagements and shouldn't be used in that role. SAMs do a better job keeping the Russian air force grounded.
I asked ChatGPT to ELI5 this and it did a good job:
""" Okay, imagine you have a toy plane, like a really cool one. So, there's this country called Ukraine, and they're going to get a special kind of toy plane called the F-16C Block 50. This plane is really good at stopping bad flying things, like missiles. The toy plane that the United States has is a newer version, like a fancier model, called the Block 70.
Now, the Block 50 toy plane from Ukraine has some special things inside it. It has a GPS to know where it is, kind of like when you use a map to find your way. It also has a radar to see far away and some other cool gadgets. This toy plane is like a superhero because it can shoot special missiles and even has a big cannon to protect Ukraine.
But, you know what? Just having this toy plane doesn't mean Ukraine will win the fight against another country called Russia. The toy plane is good for stopping missiles, but it might not be the best at fighting other planes in the sky. There are other things called SAMs that are better at keeping Russian planes on the ground.
So, the toy plane is like a strong helper, but there are many other things needed to win the big fight. It's a bit like having a superhero toy, but you also need a team of superheroes and a good plan to save the day. """
But why is it a toy?
Thanks! The Internet makes it a lot harder than you'd think to find out which Block variant Ukraine is getting.
I like your funny words magic man