F-16C block 30

[upyr1]

If we ever get another f-16 variant is think the block 30 would be a good option they entered service in mid 1980's and may be the definitive storm falcons 

[F-2]

Arguably the best performing Viper over all. Does a degree per second more at sea level then the block 50 and nearly two better instantaneous. Still has very good acceleration, a second less then the block 50 subsonic, a bit more above.

 

biggest downside is it basically is a block 50 with less capability. You can do every a block 30 could in a block 50 today, same workflow. Compared to say the block 40 which has its own unique capabilities.

 

super cool, might be the best sustained turning jet we could get.

[upyr1]

5 hours ago, F-2 said:

Arguably the best performing Viper over all. Does a degree per second more at sea level then the block 50 and nearly two better instantaneous. Still has very good acceleration, a second less then the block 50 subsonic, a bit more above.

 

biggest downside is it basically is a block 50 with less capability. You can do every a block 30 could in a block 50 today, same workflow. Compared to say the block 40 which has its own unique capabilities.

 

super cool, might be the best sustained turning jet we could get.

What are the main differences between the 40 and 30? I am looking for shrikes 

[bies]

39 minutes ago, upyr1 said:

What are the main differences between the 40 and 30? I am looking for shrikes 

Block 40 was specialised strike aircraft, integrated with both LANTIRN pods - navigation and attack, with LANTIRN FLIR integrated with wide raster HUD, AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver, AN/ALQ-213 electronic warfare suite etc.

Block 40 was slightly heavier then Block 30, but lighter then Block 50, and significantly lighter then our late CJ Block 50.

Edited April 15 by bies

[F-2]

First page distribution unlimited 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312498396_Evolution_of_the_USAF_Aircraft_Structural_Integrity_Program_an_OEM_perspective

block 40 and 50 are just about the same weight

Block 40 on have a heavier airframe because the block 30 failed structural testing

https://books.google.com/books?id=ZA5QMKQThU8C&pg=PA595&dq=f-16+block+25&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiL5vrO9634AhWbEGIAHW38C6o4FBDoAXoECAIQAw#v=onepage&q=f-16 block 25&f=false
 

 

[Czar66]

3 hours ago, bies said:

Block 40 was specialised strike aircraft, integrated with both LANTIRN pods - navigation and attack, with LANTIRN FLIR integrated with wide raster HUD, AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver, AN/ALQ-213 electronic warfare suite etc.

Block 40 was slightly heavier then Block 30, but lighter then Block 50, and significantly lighter then our late CJ Block 50.

Early F-15E Strike Eagle goes like:

 

Any 80s variant is highly welcome. Of course, that's easy to say when there is no product to put cash on and wishing is free. I hope ED finds a way to make variants while they are profitable and continue to make then indefinitely.

Edited April 16 by Czar66

[Gunfreak]

Would still perfer the A block 10/15 for some proper early 80s stuff. And used into the mid/late 90s in export countries  before the MLU.

[upyr1]

5 hours ago, Gunfreak said:

Would still perfer the A block 10/15 for some proper early 80s stuff. And used into the mid/late 90s in export countries  before the MLU.

A model i believe there's another good choice 

[upyr1]

22 hours ago, Czar66 said:

Early F-15E Strike Eagle goes like:

 

Any 80s variant is highly welcome. Of course, that's easy to say when there is no product to put cash on and wishing is free. I hope ED finds a way to make variants while they are profitable and continue to make then indefinitely.

Same. The basic problem with the f-teens is their long service lives there are 3 or 4 possible definitive variants. 

[bies]

Early F-16A would have one more benefit - it has modern for the era, but very simple to use and learn analog avionics, and it was all about close rane A/A and A/G combat. The most exciting essence of air combat.

[Schmidtfire]

15 hours ago, bies said:

Early F-16A would have one more benefit - it has modern for the era, but very simple to use and learn analog avionics, and it was all about close rane A/A and A/G combat. The most exciting essence of air combat.

Early F-16A would be awesome. But unlikely coming from ED as they usually have little interest to model older stuff.

[F-2]

https://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/airframe-profile/2045#google_vignette
 

https://secure.afa.org/joinafa/AFMag0116/files/basic-html/page27.html
 

the very first “Big Mouth” F-16 interestingly was the only MSIP II F-16 to get a kill in USAF service.

[jaguara5]

+1 for the Block 30. Best C dogfighter. Fits well in various historical cold war scenarios and doesn't require from scratch build of a completely new module  

Edited Monday at 08:09 AM by jaguara5

[F-2]

Just ordered this. I’ll make it available if a block 30 or 40 becomes a thing.

[jaguara5]

Perhaps this topic should be reposted also in the specific F-16 Wishlist subforum.  At least there ED responds with tags like ''reported'', ''not planned'' etc so we have an idea of what is happening.  In the past similar requests about more F-16 variants have been denied. But who knows, ED had for a long time denied also a FF F-15C but finally (after many request threads) we have convinced them  for the necessity of that module.  Block 30 is a must for the reasons mentioned already  in this thred. 

Edited Thursday at 10:59 AM by jaguara5

[F-2]

On 4/21/2025 at 10:23 AM, F-2 said:

Just ordered this. I’ll make it available if a block 30 or 40 becomes a thing.

Got it!

 

also https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq5HXTGUHGI&t=302s&pp=ygUVRi0xNiBjb2NrcGl0IGJsb2NrIDI1