General Dynamics F-16XL

The General Dynamics F-16XL is a derivative of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, with a cranked-arrow delta wing that is over twice the size of that of the standard F-16 wing. It was entered in the U.S. Air Force's Enhanced Tactical Fighter (ETF) competition but ultimately lost to the F-15E Strike Eagle. Several years after the prototypes were shelved, they were turned over to NASA for aeronautical study.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• General
• Dynamics
• F-16XL
• cranked-arrow
• delta
• wing
• F-16
• Fighting
• Falcon
• USAF
• Enhanced
• Tactical
• Fighter
• NASA

[CaptainTred]

I can't belive the USAF turned down this work of art for that F 15!

[NWguy83]

F-15E cant supercruise

[mobius1aic]

I think the F-15E was the proper winner for the job, but I do think that production on the standard F-16 should've stopped, and moved to XL-derived variants. The capabilities of the XL over the F-16 we know today far outweighed the cons of the XL, which were some increase in weight and some loss of low speed sustained maneuverability. The XL could carry the same load over twice as far, or twice the load the same distance of the F-16s we know today, and it was also slightly faster, up to M 2.2

[DisturbedRenegade]

Hello everyone I was wondering what are the things between her double delta wings. They look like wing fenses to control airflow ,but i'm not sure. Does anyone know?

[beaggyboy]

Current western design docrines with such engines positioning dictate provisions for save-guarding against only certain engine failures be they in friendly or hostile territory,whilst not taking into account the earlier mentioned projectile impact-explosion factor,tho this design has the simple advantage of being more stable shud an engine failure occur,on-board flight management computers'll compensate for yaw.I forsee muc mor life to d' F16,it only needs redesigning of its air intake + XL wing

[beaggyboy]

Gen Dynmcs or now Lockheed Martin shud've gone ahead with this design as contender to Typhoon,Rafael & SHornet.Had it done so,it'll need 2x GE F414-400 as oppose to the present single engine with appropriately spaced placement from the fuselage spine as that of the SR71/YF12,YF19,F14,Mig29 & Su30.These mentioned jets stand to survive AAM & AA cannon rounds far better than engines that sit side by side in close proximity as in F15,F18,Typhoon & Rafael,a resulting strike impact will shatter both

[ejvideos07]

That was a really interesting video - thanks for uploading it. A shame all the icecream lickers are commenting on something they know nothing about...as per usual.

[MacClay8]

@checkitout22192 Yeah, I'm sure you can mount the A-10's gun on either of those. The only thing that will ever replace an A-10, is another A-10.

[adats01]

@NWguy83

I think they went for the F-15E's range and ze ability to mount CFT

*not reading specs.

[DataC0llect0r]

Its for fat american pilots

[1bearcatf8f]

the F-16XL would most likely be a fighter bomber but still prove deadly in a dogfight because of it's delta wing that will give it serious lift.

[357223308]

@NWguy83

and neither can the F-16XL.