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In A2G, I would definately think that the Strike Eagle is better, as it can carry a much heavier payload and has more advanced avionics for A2G missions. But what about air-to-air? I would be inclined to think that the F-16 would win as it is much lighter and much more agile, but how well can the Strike Eagle really hold its own in the A2A arena? This would be assuming that it weren't carrying 6,000 lbs of bombs but rather just an A2A configuration.

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Elite 3K Joined: May 10, 2004 Posts: 3101 Status: Offline

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Elite 1K Joined: Apr 26, 2004 Posts: 1215 Status: Offline

I feel the 15 would outdual the Viper A2A at altitude but down low the 16 will win. A2G 15 no doubt!

Purplehaze

Well considering that the F-15 A/C was truely the first air superiority fighter, and the F-16 was produced to fill both A2A and A2G and preform exceptionally well in both areas, it was never really given the chance to compete with the F-15A/C in the A2A arena. When is comes to A2G, the only real difference is that the F-15E is a wider platform than the F-16, so it can carry more munitions and weight. Im not sure which has better avionics or radar when it comes to A2G, but i dont think that really matters to the enemy on the ground!!

Senior member Joined: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 486

The block 60 is close the F-15E in most respects.

With CFTs, the F-16 seems to be able to pull more Gs than the 15E, since the CFTs don't affect it too much. The FASTs seem to affect the F-15 more..

With CFTs on the -16, load and range are not far from that of the -15E.

About the same acceleration, equal or better radar for the -16E (AESA). Very good ECM for both. RCS 10 times smaller for the viper.

Except for extreme range, the F-16E is as good.

For previous versions the -15 is better of course.

Viperalltheway wrote:

For previous versions the -15 is better of course.

You mean that earlier versions of the F-15 are better than the F-16 in BVR fights right? The Viper should have the advantage in a WVR fight because of the Viper's superior agility.

Senior member Joined: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 486

In a2a I guess they'd be about the same. The 15E cannot pull as many Gs as the 16C. For the radar, the 16C now has the APG-68 V(9) so the difference in terms of radar is not as great as it used to be. And the difference is compensated by the lower RCS of the 16.

Have a look at that:
http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives ... 1a_95.html

F-16ADFs beating F-15Cs..

FutureFlyer06 wrote:

But what about air-to-air? I would be inclined to think that the F-16

The F-15E has the radar to decline combat. I feel the F-16 to win would have to get inside the WVR.

The F-16 would have to maneuverbreak radar locks several times to get in close. If the fight is 4Vs4, the F-16's best hope is to get an unseen aircraft outside the F-15E's normal coverage.

The F-15's radar allows for a little more autonomy than the F-16's although I don't see either going into combat without its usual support..... tankers, AWACS, jamming aircraft, etc.

viperman26 wrote:

When is comes to A2G, the only real difference is that the F-15E is a wider platform than the F-16, so it can carry more munitions and weight. Im not sure which has better avionics or radar when it comes to A2G

When it comes to air to ground, the F-16 and the F-15E have entirely missions. The F-16 is a tactical bomber and attacks targets reasonably close to the front lines. The F-15E is a deep interdiction aircraft. It is design to hit specific and very important targets far into "bad guy land." It is really a case of comparing apples and oranges.

Viperalltheway wrote:

CFTs, the F-16 seems to be able to pull more Gs than the 15E, since the CFTs don't affect it too much.

The 15E cannot pull as many Gs as the 16C.

First thanx for the CodeOne article.

Actually, the F-15E is about 3,000 pounds heavier than the F-15C and the largest portion of the weight is structual improvements so the F-15E can pull "9G's" with a full load!! So whileThe MiG.-29 and Su-27 can pull all sorts of show stopping maneuvers, the F-15E has the ability to perform meaningful maneuvers and not to be 30% or more of its fuel used up in order to do these show stoppers.

Now I don't know the real differences between the AN/APG-70 or APG-68 V(9). I know the original radars had a fair amount of difference with the F-15's having the better radar. The ability to look into jamming and be less happened or the ability to look down and detect the low level penetrator.

It is just one of many reviews/competitions since the end of the Cold War in which a National Guard unit did better than an operational unit!

Adrian

Newbie Joined: May 09, 2005 Posts: 17 Status: Offline

How about the F-15T vs the F-16?

Enthusiast Joined: May 12, 2004 Posts: 73 Status: Offline

A Viper versus a Strike Eagle is like clubbing baby seals. Even without the cuffs...

Newbie Joined: Jul 14, 2006 Posts: 18 Status: Offline

Vipers beat the living crap out of strike eagles every day. Any block (except A models). IF it was a BVR fight, and the strike had a sniper pod, and the pilot and WSO weren't arguing all the way to the merge, the strike would be OK. WVR, if you don't gun a strike in 180 degrees, you should find another job.

Well, how do those lovely looking Vipers of the 64th Aggressors at Nellis do once the gloves come off in a merge? Twisted Evil

Everyone knows that the F-16 has affectionatly been called the 'Lawn Dart' (not funny by the way Slap

) by so many, including quite a few in this forum. But it doesn't really have a nicknames (that I'm aware of) given to it by pilots of other airframes because of how it performs or looks. (Feel free to let me know if I've been living a sheltered life Doh

).
The F-15C is called the 'flying tennis court', 'Rodan'(the huge metal flying terradacty that used to fight Goddzilla, for those of you who remember), 'Aluminum overcast', to name a few because you can get tally at 12 nm away. But it is a good Dog Fighter and must be respected.
The F-15E is still all of those names and 'The Baby Seal'. Because it is as good in a dog fight as the name suggests. So Air to Air within Visual range vs the Viper in a gun duel... the Beagle is extremely out classed.
And while I have your attention, the F-14 (yes, off topic) was known as the 'Tom Kitten', 'Tom Grape', or just 'Grape'.
So to answer Stoli's question above...If a blue pilot (doesn't matter what airframe) lets an aggressor get to the merge, then they have screwed up and will pay.

I like that part, it teaches our pilots to be a LOT better than your average military aviator. Wink

Stoli shots for everyone!!! Very Happy

Dream Job: opening up an Aggressor Bar and Grille just outside of Nellis AFB. Cool

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