What is the thrust to weight ratio of an F-16?

What is the thrust to weight ratio of an F-16? The F 16’s thrust to weight ratio, considering its gross weight and thrust produced by the engines with afterburner is equal to 29,560 lbf / 26,500 lb, i.e., 1.11. The result may vary if you consider different types of weight or thrust.

Why is F-16 unstable?

The F-16 is inherently unstable by design to improve maneuverability. It is only through the Flight Control System (which continuously generates minor but necessary corrective control commands) that the F-16 is able to achieve controlled flight.

Is higher lift drag ratio better?

A ratio of L/D indicates airfoil efficiency. Aircraft with higher L/D ratios are more efficient than those with lower L/D ratios. The shape of an airfoil and other lift producing devices (i.e., flaps) affect the production of lift which will vary with changes in the AOA (Angle of Attack (AOA)).

What is a good lift-to-drag ratio for an airfoil?

All reasonable real-world airfoils start at about a 120:1 best L/D. This is because with a testable airfoil you typically have an optimal combination of Cl = 1.2 & Cd = 0.10; hence the L/D of 120:1 (read “Abbott and Von Doenhoff” for more theoretical and practical considerations).

Why do pilots call the F-16 Viper?

The F-16’s official name is “Fighting Falcon”, but “Viper” is commonly used by its pilots and crews, because of a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as the Colonial Viper starfighter on Battlestar Galactica which aired at the time the F-16 entered service.

What does lift-to-drag ratio depend on?

Lift and drag are aerodynamic forces that depend on the shape and size of the aircraft, air conditions, and the flight velocity. Because lift and drag are both aerodynamic forces, the ratio of lift to drag is an indication of the aerodynamic efficiency of the airplane.

What is the maximum LD ratio?

Maximum L/D Ratio One of the most important performance parameters of an aircraft is its maximum lift-to-drag ratio, LDmax. This ratio indicates not only how far an airplane will glide from a given altitude (see Section 21.3.

What is optimal lift?

The optimal lift–drag ratio at this time is the maximum lift–drag ratio that can be obtained at a speed above the minimum allowable, and the glider shapes with a high ultimate lift–drag ratio, such as the flying wing layout or high aspect ratio wings, can be adopted.

Did MiG 21 shot down F-16?

A top expert with the Chinese defence forces has claimed it wasn’t Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) US-made F-16 that shot down India’s MiG-21 Bison during last month’s dogfight when the two air forces had scrambled jets along the Line of Control (LoC).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLjMvXqIG7E