F-16 MATV Axisymmetric vectoring in the early 1990's.

This is a video of the F-16 MATV using axisymmetric thrust vectoring in the early 90's..years before the Mig-29 OVT. The video showing the nozzles moving in the video is in a slowed down video frame rate mode.

The jet was one of a few different jets like the X-31, NF-16D, F-18 HARV and F-15 ACTIVE used to study the gains and weak points of thrust vectoring and axisymmetric thrust vectoring. All the test work on these jets went into the F-22.

It was learned only so much can be gained by axisymmetric thrust vectoring in terms of how it could help a fighter jet in air to air combat. The truth is, high AOA maneuvers should only be a last-ditch operation in aerial combat in view of the increased vulnerability of the aircraft when it is in a low-energy state. The F-22 has pitch vectoring for any kind of last-ditch operations but, the study helped prove stealth, radar range, real time data updates for targeting are better over all tools in modern air to air combat.

• Category

  Autos & Vehicles

[suraxis]

Seeing an f-16 doing a Pugachev Cobra... FUCKING AWESOME.

[Wesley Prevot]

why don't they just use upgraded F-16s and F-18s with thrust vectoring instead of using the F-35?

[MrArioch11]

because they dont have stealth capabilities

[Zhanrae30]

0:10 you spin me right round baby right round like a record baby right round right round

[VIEultimate]

i just wish the F-15 ACTIVE, F-16 MATV, and F-18 HARV would be massively produced. they're better that their "uncustomized" version.

[beaggyboy]

less than half d'cost,that of d'F22s),can be inducted en mass to completely replace all its current fleet of legend fighterjets.Besides,these earlier gen acraft,if w/d'suggested improvement to agility added,that wud evn make for better foreign sales amongst allies,as confidence is restored

[beaggyboy]

Tho l wudnt vouch too muc for 1 of these,but d'F16,a piece of shit!?,is it?,l dont think so,not for a sec.For especially it & d'F15,evn d'F18,all have muc muc mor life to offer,that is,provided if at all the lofty so-called thinkers or shot-calling fellows are willing to listen & allow TVN inductions into all acrafts in their inventory,as F22 numbers're now limited by cost prohibitions,evn if w/another 200 added,still that duznt complement US forces' immense dimensions & not evn d'F35(wic is

[suraxis]

We live in a time where the majority of all aerial conflicts are executed at beyond visual range. Maneuverability in a manned fighter was meant for close quarters, guns and short range missile engagements. Thrust vectoring is great, but so much more a novelty item these days. Also, replying to a 3 year old comment...

[beaggyboy]

Yes,it is Fuckin Awsome aint it?The brilliant Americans were the very 1st to've invented Thrust-Vectoring aero-engine Nozzles in the F16 MATV/AVEN w/GE's F110*engine? & super-maneuvering with Germans in the X-31 alone,along w/the above mentioned F16 & F18 HARV.But its shot-callers was dim-witted,lacked foresight or rather oversighted the idea at no fault of its original concept creators.The Russians have now seemed to have hijacked all glory,where maneuverability's concerned w/their SU30s>family

[beaggyboy]

Correct,when missiles're out,d'only available option's to go fa d'guns & waht,win d'fight,huh?From wat we know of today's AA rounds(other than the provided explosive kinetic-energy charge in the rear casings,the tip is but usually only dead 20/25 or 30mm caliber piercers),not smart bullets,YET!,they cant go around & tail d'enemy until impact like missiles.How then wud U suggest to've a resounding advantage,when piercers' trajectory travel in almost linear & we simply cant out-swing SU30 examples

[beaggyboy]

l'm with U.Hay.hay,U really know a thing or two,dont cha.Kudos! & the F15 tho still a very good fighterjet,but simply cant.The reason being that..(please read further up there in my reply to Stickman193,if U like to).By so doing it wud return the US back on the #1 spot of Air-Forces chart having the very best fighterjet,sinz it already is THE! best Air-Force,in absence only of an exceptionally maneuverable acraft.

[XaHyMaH]

Now try it without TVC =)