General Dynamics F-16 VISTA

The General Dynamics F-16 VISTA ("Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft") is an experimental aircraft, derived from the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which was modified as a joint venture between General Dynamics and Calspan for use by the USAF.

F-16 VISTA
The General Dynamics VISTA/MATV F-16
Role Experimental fighter
Manufacturer General Dynamics
(later Lockheed Martin) and
Calspan
First flight April 1992[1]
Status Retired
Number built 102 (1999 Year Ago)
Developed from General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

The F-16 VISTA testbed aircraft incorporated a multi-axis thrust vectoring (MATV) engine nozzle that provides for more active control of the aircraft in a post-stall situation. As a result, the aircraft is supermaneuverable, retaining pitch and yaw control at angles of attack beyond which the traditional control surfaces cannot change attitude.

The VISTA program was considered successful, but the thrust vector control (TVC) was never used in production fighter versions.

The program was notable for the development of Direct Voice Input and the "Virtual HUD", which were both eventually to be incorporated into the cockpit design for the F-35 Lightning II.[2] The STOVL F-35 variants also incorporate MATV while hovering to provide attitude control.

The VISTA aircraft is now operated and maintained by Calspan for the US Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. It is regularly used in student curriculum sorties, and other special academic projects.

Specifications

The F-16 VISTA is a Block 30 F-16D based on the airframe design of the Israeli Air Force version, which incorporates a dorsal fairing running the length of the fuselage aft of the canopy and a heavyweight landing gear derived from the Block 40 F-16C/D. The fairing houses most of the variable-stability equipment and test instrumentation. The heavyweight gear permits simulation of aircraft with higher landing sink rates than a standard F-16.

Orthographically projected diagram of the F-16.

General characteristics Performance

Data from USAF fact sheet[3] AerospaceWeb[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 (pilot and safety pilot)[5]
  • Length: 48 ft 7 in (14.8 m)
  • Wingspan: 32 ft 2 in (9.8 m)
  • Height: 15 ft 9 in (4.8 m)
  • Wing area: 300 sq ft (28 m2)
  • Airfoil: NACA 64A204 root and tip
  • Empty weight: 18,238 lb (8,273 kg)
  • Gross weight: 26,463 lb (12,003 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 42,300 lb (19,187 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × General Electric F110 afterburning turbofan, 14,590 lbf (64.9 kN) thrust dry, 23,770 lbf (105.7 kN) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,300 kn (1,500 mph, 2,400 km/h)
At sea level: Mach 1.2 (915 mph, 1,460 km/h)
At altitude: Mach 2+
  • Ferry range: 2,800 nmi (3,200 mi, 5,200 km) with 3× 370 US gal (1,401 l) drop tanks
  • Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m) +
  • Rate of climb: 50,000 ft/min (250 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 88.2 lb/sq ft (431 kg/m2)
  • Thrust/weight: 1.095

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Simonsen, Erik (2016). A Complete History of U.S. Combat Aircraft Fly-Off Competitions. Forest Lake, MN: Specialty Press. p. 159. ISBN 978-1-58007-227-4.
  2. F-16 Versions - F-16 VISTA / MATV / NF-16D
  3. F-16 USAF fact sheet
  4. F-16 page on aerospaceweb.org
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2009-09-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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