General Dynamics F-16A ADF (and Variants)

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

General Info
The Story of the Italian F-16 starts during the early 90's, Italy had multiple F-104s variants that they needed to replace, everything was going according to plan, which would be to introduce the EUROFIGHTER into active service and replace the outdated aircraft. However due to multiple setbacks there was a need for a stop-gap solution for the Italian Air Force, Italy would first turn to England and lease some Tornado ADV fighters, once that service was over, they initially wanted to lease them again for another 10 years, but after they found out how expensive it would be in the long run, they decided to opt for another ally, which was more than willing to co-operate. America agreed to Italy's request and on the 15th of March, 2001 the Italian government signed an LoA for a 5-year lease (with an option on another 5 years) of 34 F-16s and four spare air frames, in a deal which would be worth up to $777 million over a 10-year period. The aircraft were delivered between July  2003 and November 2004. The total amount of aircraft would be 30 F-16A ADFs,1 F-16B ADF,3 F-16B block 5 and 10's would be delivered. Four more planes would've also been provided for use as spare parts. The Italian F-16's would be able to equip a variety of PGM's, rockets and bombs but they were never installed most likely due to costs and the fact that it was only going to be used for air defense, thus having access to only air-to-air missiles. Its service would include scrambling jets to intercept any threats, multiple training missions, and air policing. It could carry standard armaments that any F-16 had, such as AIM-120 AMRAAM's, which had a range of 160km's. It also used AIM-9L's, which had a smaller range of only 18km's. The M61 Vulcan, which was designed in 1946, has proved time and time again its combat effectiveness, which is why it has been installed on multiple different types of aircraft during the years. Which also lead when the time was right, to install it unto the F-16. The F-16 would not have enough ammunition for 1 whole minute of firing, however the small amount it does have (around 500-600 rounds) would be still perfect for air-to-air, and also air-to-ground engagements. The F-16 would be powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100-220E engine which also went the Falcon-Up structural enhancement program. In terms of service, thankfully Italy didn't have to use it in active combat during its service, but as mentioned it was at the time the first line of defense against air threats. Italian pilots would go on to rack over 40,000 hours on the F-16, To commemorate the milestone, the tail fin of F-16 ADF serial MM7253 would receive special markings consisting of the Italian tricolor, the insignia of the three squadrons flying the F-16, and the text 40,000 HOURS. Due to the F-16's being only used as a stop-gap measure until the Euro Fighter Typhoon had reached combat effectiveness, on May 23rd, 2012 a disbanding ceremony was held at Trapani-Birgi AFB to mark the disbandment of the resident 18 Gruppo, which was the sole surviving F-16 squadron within the AMI. This marked to end of the service life of the F-16 within the Italian Air Force. 
Armaments and Equipment
AIM-9L Air-to-Air missile
AIM-120 Air-to-Air missile
20mm M61 Vulcan cannon
(Could use a variety rockets,bombs and PGM's but never fitted on Italian F-16)
Specifications

Why it should be in game
The Italian F-16 although would be under-armed in compared to an American variant, it could still prove to be a great vehicle when the time comes to adding such modern aircraft into the game. Gaijin could give it unhistorical payloads like they've done in the past or they could keep it as it is. There's many nations that the vehicle could go to so it will be worth it in the long run. Right now it might be too early to add but making a suggestion beforehand is always beneficial. Overall the F-16 would prove to be an excellent pick for air battles.
Sources
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article10.html
https://www.military.com/equipment/f-16-fighting-falcon
https://theaviationist.com/special-reports/italian-f-16-in-details/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Air_Force
http://www.amarcexperience.com/ui/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=123&catid=8&Itemid=159
https://www.milavia.net/specials/italian-air-force-f16-40000hrs/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-9_Sidewinder
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-120_AMRAAM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M61_Vulcan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratt_%26_Whitney_F100
https://www.f-16.net/
https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f-16v-viper-fighting-falcon-multi-role-fighter/
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/f-16.html
Pictures

Edited May 6, 2021 by Nicholas_Concu

[ItssLuBu 1,798]

Approved and open for discussion. 

[Охраняет-Камни 6,650]

Specifications image is broken.

[eleks12 1,079]

+1 when the game gets to 12.0 or higher.

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

wasn't it able to carry the sparrow ?

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

2 hours ago, ItssLuBu said:

Approved and open for discussion. 

Thanks 

1 hour ago, _Condottiero_ said:

Specifications image is broken.

Try again, should be fixed. 

 

1 hour ago, eleks12 said:

+1 when the game gets to 12.0 or higher.

Agreed, but I have a little feeling since gaijin is pushing into the future, especially when it comes to aircraft, it might be sooner than we think. 

 

56 minutes ago, MonkeyBussiness said:

wasn't it able to carry the sparrow ?

Probably, but I don’t know if Italy used it on their F-16... 

[S__bastienZ88 635]

+100, but it should come with a br increase.

[Охраняет-Камни 6,650]

9 minutes ago, Nicholas_Concu said:

Probably, but I don’t know if Italy used it on their F-16... 

It doesn't need Sparrow if it has AIM-120)

 

Overall +1, but I would like to see it with Italian loadouts. For bombs and rockets there is Tornado)

Edited August 30, 2020 by _Condottiero_

[_Pixy 196]

+1

[Z3r0_ 4,128]

I'd wait a bit before seriously looking at Gen 4 aircraft.  There's still a whole bunch of Gen 3 planes to be added to a number of trees, and France, Sweden, and China still need naval trees (though in China's case I've got no clue what they'll do).

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

7 minutes ago, Z3r0_ said:

I'd wait a bit before seriously looking at Gen 4 aircraft.  There's still a whole bunch of Gen 3 planes to be added to a number of trees, and France, Sweden, and China still need naval trees (though in China's case I've got no clue what they'll do).

For Italy, this comes after the Tornado, once they Tornado gets implemented will italy have to wait until things such as the Eurofighter get implemented? Remember that the F-16 was made in 1978, we’re not too far off that date in game.. But I respect your opinion anyway. 

[Z3r0_ 4,128]

13 minutes ago, Nicholas_Concu said:

For Italy, this comes after the Tornado, once they Tornado gets implemented will italy have to wait until things such as the Eurofighter get implemented? Remember that the F-16 was made in 1978, we’re not too far off that date in game.. But I respect your opinion anyway. 

 

Tornado's Gen 4 as well, and the Typhoon is 4.5.

Edited August 30, 2020 by Z3r0_

[John_JIANG 126]

+1 when we get 11.0 for air battles. Except copy-pastas, the aerial technology of this game is still at 1960s. 

[S__bastienZ88 635]

1 hour ago, Z3r0_ said:

I'd wait a bit before seriously looking at Gen 4 aircraft.  There's still a whole bunch of Gen 3 planes to be added to a number of trees, and France, Sweden, and China still need naval trees (though in China's case I've got no clue what they'll do).

Gajin has never brought vehicles in a chronological way, there are, like you mentioned it, a lot of planes and tanks missing like the Aerfer Ariete, Aerfer Sagittario II, re 2005 vdm, Leo 1 etc. Gajin uses to jump so an F16 is likely to come before any other plane.

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

58 minutes ago, Z3r0_ said:

 

Tornado's Gen 4 as well, and the Typhoon is 4.5.

early gen 4 are fine by the actual game standard , for example early F-16 (before block 20) could only mount 6 AIM-9J or AIM-9L and no BVR capability same for the tornado IDS

[Z3r0_ 4,128]

27 minutes ago, MonkeyBussiness said:

early gen 4 are fine by the actual game standard , for example early F-16 (before block 20) could only mount 6 AIM-9J or AIM-9L and no BVR capability same for the tornado IDS

 

Depends on WHICH early Gen 4 aircraft you're talking about.  Even the first-gen F-14A or F-15A would blow everything in-game out of the sky, and those were in service right when the Vietnam War was coming to an end, for example.

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

2 hours ago, Z3r0_ said:

 

Depends on WHICH early Gen 4 aircraft you're talking about.  Even the first-gen F-14A or F-15A would blow everything in-game out of the sky, and those were in service right when the Vietnam War was coming to an end, for example.

gaijin balance vehicules by their weapons , so i will be ok if the first F-14  come with "only" sparrow and sidewinders same for the F-15 (wich was already the case IRL)

Edited August 30, 2020 by MonkeyBussiness

[S__bastienZ88 635]

Program	Model	Block	Qty.	Serials	Delivered
Peace Caesar	F-16A	Block 15ADF	26	MM7236/MM7265	2003-2004
	F-16B	Block 15ADF	1	MM7268	2003-2004
	F-16B	Block 5/10	3	MM7266, MM7267, MM7269	2003-2004
	F-16A	block 10	4	79389, 80474, 80515	2003-2004

 

I found this in one of your links and my question is, how do you want to implement the block 5, 10 and 15 (Block 15 was the first major change to the F-16) variants into italian tech tree and do we really need the B version? I mean, it is just a two seater for training.

[Milocat 4,854]

+1 eventually.  And with equivalents.

[Conte_Baracca 4,547]

When the time comes, this plane is a must.

 

[Bringer_Of_War 901]

F-16s will definitely need to be added to multiple nations despite how mad it will make some people , +1 

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

6 hours ago, _ArchangelAzrael said:

F-16s will definitely need to be added to multiple nations despite how mad it will make some people , +1 

Agreed, Japan for example. 

[mc205v 786]

Specifications and general arrangement from the F-16A_B Fighting Falcon Flight Manual.

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Edited October 13, 2020 by _Condottiero_

[Grimbergen95 362]

8 hours ago, _Condottiero_ said:

the pic is broken