aggressor aircraft question

[Goldsmack]

So kind of a random question I was wondering about the USAF aggressor aircraft. I know that they are there to simulate likely enemy aircraft western forces would encounter by painting F-16 and F-15s and using enemy tactics but my question is in regards to the aircraft performance/systems. Are the aggressor aircraft also modified engine/computer wise so simulate the performance of Su-27/Migs? like altering AOA and thrust to weight? or do the pilots try to fly "like" there in a Mig?

[will487]

I believe the aircraft are usually strengthened to deal with the continuous high G-force loads associated with dog-fighting. Any equipment not necessary for visual-range aerial combat is also usually removed from the aircraft to increase its agility and performance in combat. Other than that, I think it's just different paint schemes and markings :thumbup:

[ronen]

In the Falcón bms manual (pag 41) the f16 agressor radar signal is equal to mig29, su27, 30, 33, 35, 37 and J11

[Goldsmack]

I believe the aircraft are usually strengthened to deal with the continuous high G-force loads associated with dog-fighting. Any equipment not necessary for visual-range aerial combat is also usually removed from the aircraft to increase its agility and performance in combat. Other than that, I think it's just different paint schemes and markings :thumbup:

 

Ah good to know, I was thinking if they had modified them to that extent would it not be easier just to buy some export versions of the migs or Sukoi. Thanks for the reply

[Goldsmack]

In the Falcón bms manual (pag 41) the f16 agressor radar signal is equal to mig29, su27, 30, 33, 35, 37 and J11

 

I wonder how this is achieved? broad cast a signal that fools the EWR and the search radar? interesting.

[Sweep]

I kinda doubt that they modify the radar for that...But I have heard that the Aggressors, or at least the 65th (which is now gone, RIP), were using foreign ECM pods at one point...

 

IIRC it was one of the Israeli DECM pods.

[Nealius]

What Block F-16 do the aggressors fly? Since RWR symbology is pre-programmed wouldn't it be theoretically possible to program the aggressor's radar signal to be interpreted as a MiG, assuming the aggressors use a different radar?

[mvsgas]

Speaking about aggressor F-16, some aircraft have additional antennas but RADARS and engine are the same. Also the air frames are not strengthen AFAIK. They do carry a special pod, the AN/ALQ-188 but I'm not sure how it all works. The F-16 used are block 30 in Eielson AFB and block 25 and 32 in Nellis AFB.

[Basher54321]

To add to mvsgas some have been seen with the Exelis (originally ELTA) ACAP ECM pod and AAS-42 IRST pod.