F-16 Beats The F-35

[SBD-3]

March 31, 2010: Romania finally approved a two year old deal to buy 48 U.S. F-16 fighters for $4.5 billion. Half will be the latest model, the F-16C Block 50. The others will be used, and reconditioned to F-16C Block 25 standards. The used F-16s will arrive in two years, but the new ones won't arrive until 2020. Romania could have waited a few years and bought the new F-35 instead, but that would have cost them more money (nearly $6 billion for just 24). Romania did the math and realized that 48 F-16s would be more than adequate to handle any neighborhood spats. And if Russia became a problem, Romania is now a member of NATO, and capable of calling on some very big allies. There's still the possibility of buying some F-35s in the 2020s, but there's plenty of time to work out the best way to deal with that.

Romania is not alone in saving money by purchasing used F-16s. Five years ago, Chile bought ten new F-16s (Block 50 models) from the U.S., for $50 million each. Chile also bought 18 used F-16s (Block 20 models) from the Netherlands for $10 million each. Noting that the well maintained used aircraft performed as well as the new built ones, Chile continues shopping around for more used F-16s, to replace 16 elderly F-5s that are about to retire, and 24 Mirages 50s that were recently retired. There are a lot of used F-16s for sale, so buyers have a lot of good opportunities to explore. Chile is looking for another 18 F-16s, and the Netherlands is seen as the most likely supplier. Chile isn't the only nation taking advantage of the used fighter market. Chile also considered the air power capabilities of its neighbors, and concluded that a mix of new and used F-16s would be more than adequate.

While the U.S. still has about 1,300 F-16s in service (about half with reserve units), over 4,200 were produced, and America has hundreds in storage. The end of the Cold War in 1991 led to a sharp cut in U.S. Air Force fighter squadrons. Moreover, the new F-35 will be replacing all U.S. F-16s in the next decade. So the U.S. has plenty of little-used F-16s sitting around, and an ally that it would like to beef up militarily.

F-16s are still produced for export, and these cost as much as $70 million each (the F-16I for Israel). Some nations, like South Korea, build the F-16 under license. A used F-16C, built in the 1990s, goes for about $10 million on the open market.

The 16 ton F-16 has an admirable combat record, and is very popular with pilots. It has been successful at ground support as well. When equipped with 4-6 smart bombs, it is a very effective bomber.

 

[RobbieS]

Misleading Title!

 

[pak-yes]

Ya Misleading title.When i saw the Title i was like WTH.

 

[RameeX Xaved]

just 48 F-16s and that too only half to block 50 standards which will arrive after 2020 worth 4.5 billion? what kind of deal is this? romania will be far far better joining or even buying the EF2000 or the rafael or the gripen.

 

[Frankenstein]

LOL, i was like , Mods need to change the title

 

[zavis2003]

title should be foolish decision about procurement of fighters

 

[IceCold]

Maybe the title meant F-16 beats F-35 interms of orders and not actual capability since the above mentioned countries all had the option to buy F-35, still opted for F-16s. So the title isnt that misleading only if one understands the context it is presented.

 

[Materialistic]

same was mine..

 

[ARCHON]

it should be better if its like F-16 beats F-22s

 

[Donatello]

Maybe the title meant F-16 beats F-35 interms of orders and not actual capability since the above mentioned countries all had the option to buy F-35, still opted for F-16s. So the title isnt that misleading only if one understands the context it is presented.

Actually, it was proved by the USAF pilots that a f-16 and f-15 both will give the f-35 a run for its money in performance. F-35 takes the lead in avionics/radar and the stealth structure it has and the easy way you can take an enemy out the better. Plus its a lot more expensive.

F-35's stealth is a factor, but the smart opponent won't put himself in a position to be compromised by something like that. And realistically, the F-35's stealth isn't all that effective. The F-35 is a tad more maneuverable, but logically, you play the opponents weaknesses.
If he turns better than you, don't turn with him. If he climbs faster, don't climb with him. It really is down to luck and who makes the teeniest mistake first will get splashed.


but anyway, misleading title.

 

[ARCHON]

Actually, it was proved by the USAF pilots that a f-16 and f-15 both will give the f-35 a run for its money in performance. F-35 takes the lead in avionics/radar and the stealth structure it has and the easy way you can take an enemy out the better. Plus its a lot more expensive.

F-35's stealth is a factor, but the smart opponent won't put himself in a position to be compromised by something like that. And realistically, the F-35's stealth isn't all that effective. The F-35 is a tad more maneuverable, but logically, you play the opponents weaknesses.
If he turns better than you, don't turn with him. If he climbs faster, don't climb with him. It really is down to luck and who makes the teeniest mistake first will get splashed.


but anyway, misleading title.

So Americans would be damn stupid and dumb if they continue the F-35 programme as it is proved not-worthy like F-16s AND f-15, by USAF pilots.

I am waiting for reports like US shelves F-35, goes with F-16s and F-15 .. or something like F-35 , the new target practise or something of that sort..

 

[Canaan]

Romania has no money

 

[ARCHON]

Romania has no money

full marks for your correct answer

An F-16 can cost around 40-45 million per unit where as a F-35 can cost around 112 million per unit.
so with the budget Romania put for the aircraft it can buy only 1/3 of its requirement and people here jump to say F-16s are better and all..

 

[Donatello]

So Americans would be damn stupid and dumb if they continue the F-35 programme as it is proved not-worthy like F-16s AND f-15, by USAF pilots.

I am waiting for reports like US shelves F-35, goes with F-16s and F-15 .. or something like F-35 , the new target practise or something of that sort..

The reason for replacing F-15 and F-16s are their old airframes and engines which are costly to keep up as the production lines draw down, while they have served more than 30 years and will continue to do so as F-35 production is planned to run beyond 2035.
Remember the F-15 is an air superiority aircraft while F-16 is the multi role one. F-35 is not air superiority but replacement for f-16s. F/A 22 is the real air superiority fighter, but with the costs and delays, it alone cannot fill the gap left behind after the decommissioning of F-15s. Infact the total number of planes on order f-35 and f22 combined is less than what they have already in service with f-16 and f-15s. Meaning a lot of f-15s WOULD be flying alongside.
I did not claim F-15 to be superior to F-35. I said F-15 is still an awesome fighter and in air-air combat performance, ( assuming you take the stealth out of f-35) it will knock f-35 out easily.

F-35 is stealth and most of the technology that makes it stealthy descends from the research of F22 raptor it self.

Yes F-35 is superior in avionics and yes it has stealth all over it, but it does not mean that it is better or more agile as well.

F-15 top speed is Mach 2.5+
F-35 top speed is Mach 1.67

.....not to mention the huge cost difference of buying f-35 vs F16/F15 and maintaining them (the stealth paint, structure etc).

 

[gambit]

Actually, it was proved by the USAF pilots that a f-16 and f-15 both will give the f-35 a run for its money in performance.

Too vague.

F-35 takes the lead in avionics/radar...

Avionics is pretty much what it takes to stand alongside, let alone best, all fighters.

F-35's stealth is a factor, but the smart opponent won't put himself in a position to be compromised by something like that.

Very low radar reflectivity by the opponent increase the odds of oneself being put in an inferior position -- unknowingly.

And realistically, the F-35's stealth isn't all that effective.

Clarify. Compared to what?