Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics) F-16N Fighting Falcon
The F-16N grew out of a requirement by the US Navy for an advanced adversary dissimilar fighter trainer to replace aging A-4E/F Skyhawks. Using the Block 30 F-16C/D as a basis, the F-16N was downgraded, as it was not anticipated to ever see actual combat. The APG-68 radar was replaced with the APG-66, the internal structure was strengthened to better handle the stress of low-level manuevering, and while the F-16N can carry Sidewinders, it is not equipped to fire or drop any other ordnance, and the M61 Vulcan gatling cannon is removed.
18 F-16Ns and four two-seat TF-16Ns were delivered beginning in 1987 to Top Gun, the US Navy’s fighter training school. With the temporary reduction in aggressor squadrons during the mid-1990s and due to wing cracking, the F-16N force was retired in 1995, though the Navy has since bought ex-Pakistani F-16C/Ds as aggressors.
This F-16N was originally part of a USAF F-16C order, but when the Navy ordered the N model, it was converted to a F-16N and became Bureau Number 163269. It joined the Naval Fighter Weapons School--Top Gun--in 1985 at NAS Miramar, California, and was flown by both Navy and Marine adversary pilots; it carries both Navy and Marine titling on the fuselage. It remained with NFWS until 1995, when the F-16N fleet was retired, and was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
163269 carried a unique splinter camouflage pattern, inspired by that used by the Swedish Saab Viggen--not because the Navy ever anticipated fighting the Flygvapnet, but because they wanted to evaluate the camouflage's effectiveness. It also gave Top Gun students something completely different to deal with than the usual overall gray or Soviet-inspired camouflage used by Navy or USAF aggressors. 163269 could use a little attention, as the camouflage has begun to fade, the canopy has fogged, and the NFWS patch on the tail has nearly disappeared completely.
Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics) F-16N Fighting Falcon
The F-16N grew out of a requirement by the US Navy for an advanced adversary dissimilar fighter trainer to replace aging A-4E/F Skyhawks. Using the Block 30 F-16C/D as a basis, the F-16N was downgraded, as it was not anticipated to ever see actual combat. The APG-68 radar was replaced with the APG-66, the internal structure was strengthened to better handle the stress of low-level manuevering, and while the F-16N can carry Sidewinders, it is not equipped to fire or drop any other ordnance, and the M61 Vulcan gatling cannon is removed.
18 F-16Ns and four two-seat TF-16Ns were delivered beginning in 1987 to Top Gun, the US Navy’s fighter training school. With the temporary reduction in aggressor squadrons during the mid-1990s and due to wing cracking, the F-16N force was retired in 1995, though the Navy has since bought ex-Pakistani F-16C/Ds as aggressors.
This F-16N was originally part of a USAF F-16C order, but when the Navy ordered the N model, it was converted to a F-16N and became Bureau Number 163269. It joined the Naval Fighter Weapons School--Top Gun--in 1985 at NAS Miramar, California, and was flown by both Navy and Marine adversary pilots; it carries both Navy and Marine titling on the fuselage. It remained with NFWS until 1995, when the F-16N fleet was retired, and was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
163269 carried a unique splinter camouflage pattern, inspired by that used by the Swedish Saab Viggen--not because the Navy ever anticipated fighting the Flygvapnet, but because they wanted to evaluate the camouflage's effectiveness. It also gave Top Gun students something completely different to deal with than the usual overall gray or Soviet-inspired camouflage used by Navy or USAF aggressors. 163269 could use a little attention, as the camouflage has begun to fade, the canopy has fogged, and the NFWS patch on the tail has nearly disappeared completely.