Delete comment from: Elements Of Power
Hi Marauder. Actually, the CFTs make a lot more sense than drop tanks. F-16 CFT Drag is alleged to be "12%" of the center-line tank installation with 50% more fuel. Given the center-line tank has the drag of the tank and the pylon, that means the CFTs have a drag count of '4' per set: the next best thing to putting the gas inside the main fuselage like an F-35 ;-). CFTs aren't (by themselves) g-limiting like the drop tanks either. The problem with putting anything on the basic F-16 is that it affects the total weight by a greater % than a baseline heavier aircraft. I think I showed pretty well how the F-16 was much more sensitive to weight than the F-35 in the Sustained G posts, and so the real acceleration hit (and maneuverability hit at 30K feet loading up that itty-bitty wing) with CFTs on the F-16 come from their empty weight (900 lbs) and whatever fuel you put in them.
Feb 26, 2015, 5:44:52 AM
Posted to The F-35 and the Infamous Transonic Acceleration ‘Spec’ Change: