Israel's new F-16I

F-16I Sufa (�Storm')

The F-16I-series has a two-seat cockpit configuration with advanced avionic technologies, new weapons, and improved Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines and is similar to the F-16D model in service with the USAF.

One interesting thing to notice about the picture of the F-16I is the increased external fuel capacity in conformal fuel tanks, increasing the aircraft range to 800 miles (1,500 km) This increase of range puts counties like Iran within striking range.

These new systems also give the F-16s new combat capabilities including simultaneous, multi-target air-to-air intercept, standoff, all-weather precision strike and enhanced survivability against the most advanced threats

Complementing the upgraded weapon systems is a dorsal compartment containing enhanced mission avionics and chaff and flare dispensers, enabling it to conduct either pilot training or combat missions.

Israel had originally ordered 50 F-16Is in 2001 but increased the purchase to 102 after deciding against the procurement of additional F-15Is. The acquisition of the Sufa compliments Israel's deterrent strategy by further strengthening the threat to carry out retaliatory strikes throughout the Middle East .

Since the F-15I cost $84 million a piece compared to the $45 million for the F-16I I can't blame them.

www.israeli-weapons.com...

Is this part of upgrades that the ISAF is going to give to its F-16's like the Bloc 50/60 versions or is this Israel's own modification and upgrade. Also why do they paint their plane's brown and tan i know its a desert where they fly but it makes a plane look ugly. And those fuel tanks they put ontop of the wings also make it look ugly, but i guess whatever get the job done.


[edit on 30-7-2004 by WestPoint23]

After the Sufa, Israel will probably purchase JSFs... this will happen in about 10-20 years or so...

And as long as it works great - no one cares it looks ugly.
Oh and BTW, for some reason the US didn't allow us to put some advanced Israeli radar on the F-16I.





[edit on 30/7/04 by Transc3ndent]

Well despite the fact that its not very pretty as long as its effective it doesn't matter. But this might be one of the last planes Isreal uses before buying JSFs. What ever happened to the Lavi?

I believe the ''I" in F-16I stands for Israel and signifies it as special version for the Israeli Air Force (IAF). Though I think its shares many of its avionics and weapon systems with the new USAF versions of the F-16.

These are brand new off the Lockheed Martin assembly line in Texas. Built to Israel's specs as they wanted them

The avionics and weapon systems in this plane are thought to only be surpassed by that of the F-22

The F-16I has an unrefueled combat strike radius well in excess of 500 miles. The extended flight range allows Israeli forces to attack targets well within Iran and Libya without having to refuel.

I think this will be the weapon of choice for a strike on Iran by Israel.


As for the color Its only brown camo on the top, and has gray on the underside.Kind of like how a sharks camo works dark on the top light on the bottom its pretty smart. It might not be as cool looking as all black but it does indeed work.

Originally posted by cyberdude78

. What ever happened to the Lavi?

On August 30th 1987 the Israeli government decided to terminate the Lavi project.

(today in Lavi - history: July 30th 1986
The debut flight of a hybrid Phantom, whose right engine has been replaced by that of the Lavi.)



Rebekka



[edit on 30-7-2004 by Riwka]

Shadow you sure that this plane's avionics and tech is only second to the Raptor? The JSF might be a good replacement for the Israeli F-15. Also does anyone know what is the strike range of the regular F-16?

Looks like a block 60 F-16 with the raised ridge. Wonder whats in there? More Fuel in all likelyhood. The Conformational Fuel cells, will help with range.

I have always wondered why they never persued a variant of the F-16XL. Given the IAF need to strike long range targets and lack of dedicated AA refuling the XL would really fit in well. Most of the development was done. THe production costs must have been prohibative


[edit on 30-7-2004 by FredT]

I thought the JSF was a replacement for the F-16, and the F-22 for the F-15.

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Shadow you sure that this plane's avionics and tech is only second to the Raptor? The JSF might be a good replacement for the Israeli F-15. Also does anyone know what is the strike range of the regular F-16?

Thats what some people claim about this plane, Though Im not sure if these reports are true.

Range of a normal F-16 is 340 Miles compared to the 800 mile range of the F-16I

Originally posted by Kozzy
I thought the JSF was a replacement for the F-16, and the F-22 for the F-15.

Well in the US the JSF is a replacement for the F-16 and Harrier, and the F/A-22 is the replacement for the F-15. But Israel is not getting any raptors cuz its too good to share but hey are getting the JSf.

Well the JSF will replace the USAFs F-16s and they will replace the Harriers belonging to the RAF, RN, and USMC. The F/A-18 will completly replace the F-14 fairly soon and then the JSF will replace the F/A-18s in the USN. Also the JSF will probably replace the USMC's F/A-18s. The F-22 will replace the F-15 and the USN might have a navalized version of the F-22 created and that will replace the F-14 instead of the USN using only JSFs. Just thought I'd clarify. Also Westpoint Isreal said that it would not buy any F-22s due to the cost. Whether or not they would have been able to get them nobodies sure but either way Isreal wasn't going to buy any. In the future they might buy them after price drops.

[edit on 8/1/2004 by cyberdude78]

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Is this part of upgrades that the ISAF is going to give to its F-16's like the Bloc 50/60 versions or is this Israel's own modification and upgrade. Also why do they paint their plane's brown and tan i know its a desert where they fly but it makes a plane look ugly. And those fuel tanks they put ontop of the wings also make it look ugly, but i guess whatever get the job done.


[edit on 30-7-2004 by WestPoint23]

When i was a kid i had a picture of an IAI Kifir with the same multi tone camo and the orange ID triangles on it. I thought it looked cool and i feel the same about this one.

Nice but speaking from 1st hand f-16 crew cheif experence i bet they still have the all famous cramed to hell wiring an wonderful access points for maintance (sarcasticly speaking). god i dont like to safety wire!

CD thanks for clearing that up. I have heard about the naval version of the raptor I think its a good idea to have at least three different types of naval planes the JSF the F/A-18 and F-/A-22.