Quick F-16 question...

[`Josh]

What are these things for?

[EirePlane]

at a guess I would say they are used to channel the airflow underneath the plane, adding aerodynamic stability

[`Josh]

at a guess I would say they are used to channel the airflow underneath the plane, adding aerodynamic stability

Thanks.  :)

[dcunning30]

How you like me now?  

[`Josh]

How you like me now?  

Slap on a delta wing and that'd look just like a Typhoon.

[dcunning30]

Slap on a delta wing and that'd look just like a Typhoon.

Like this?



But anyway, I was wondering if anyone noticed those fins protruding down from the air intake.

[Rifleman]

Very old technology........

On Dec 26, 1978, General Dynamics was awarded a contract to convert the sixth FSD F-16A (# 75-0750) into an AFTI aircraft. It capitalized on the experience gained with the F-16 CCV (Control Configured Vehicle) (#72-1567). The aircraft was handed over to the company in March 1980.

From the previous image by DCDunning of the F-16 AFTI in flight, you can clearly see the CCV canards below the air inlet.
The AFTI F-16 was fitted with twin canard surfaces mounted below the air intake. Those canards had been taken from the CCV/F-16 CCV. The digital flight control system gave the pilot a new freedom in maneuvering, making it possible to assume unorthodox flight attitudes, using nose pointing, direct force translation, and other unconventional means of maneuvering.

F-16 serial number 75-0750 has completed a distinguished career as an advanced technology test aircraft for more than twenty-two years. It is best known for its service as the Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI)/F-16 technology demonstrator since the early 1980s. Aircraft 750 flew its final flight on 9 January 2001 from its birthplace in Fort Worth to Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. It is scheduled to be retired and inducted into the Air Force Museum there.

[`Josh]

Like this?



But anyway, I was wondering if anyone noticed those fins protruding down from the air intake.

Kinda, except that doesn't have the canards.

[dcunning30]

Very old technology........

I know it's old technology.  I use to walk through the hangar that housed that exact plane a good dozen times back in the 1980's.  I've gotten up close and quite intimate.  But when the Air Force showed up, you couldn't get near the hangar.

[expat]

You want to see an aircraft with strakes, check out the Beachcraft 1900. It has more than a squadron of F16's

Matt

[BAW0343]

But anyway, I was wondering if anyone noticed those fins protruding down from the air intake.

Umm I believe thats the wheel well door  ;D