F-16xl

[JA Boomer]

I've recently brushed up on the F-16XL, which apparently in many ways showed performance improvement over the F-16A/B of the day. We all know that the F-15E was selected as the USAF next strike platform, but I wonder if the service gave any consideration to ordering the F-16XL over the F-16C/D. I'm assuming cost prevented it, development might not have been prohibitive, but the XL would've also cost more than a C/D per unit.

[Officer of Engineers]

I've recently brushed up on the F-16XL, which apparently in many ways showed performance improvement over the F-16A/B of the day. We all know that the F-15E was selected as the USAF next strike platform, but I wonder if the service gave any consideration to ordering the F-16XL over the F-16C/D. I'm assuming cost prevented it, development might not have been prohibitive, but the XL would've also cost more than a C/D per unit.

I suggest you look at the F-21, the offering to India as the next F-16 iteration.

[JA Boomer]

I suggest you look at the F-21, the offering to India as the next F-16 iteration.

In what context? From what I understand, the Block 70 F-16 / F-16V / F-21 are the most advanced versions of the Falcon, with a cockpit similar to the Gripen C and some sensor fusion ported over from Lockheed's F-35 software. They are more advanced than the UAE's F-16E/F.

I'm wondering, in the early 1980s, if the F-16XL showed the kind of performance you read about, did the USAF ever consider ordering the F-16XL instead of the F-16C (basically a avionics upgrade of the F-16A) after the F-15E won the strike fighter competition?

[Officer of Engineers]

In the context that evolution of the platform was the more cost-effective way to increase performance rather than major structural changes to a combat proven platform.

[JA Boomer]

In the context that evolution of the platform was the more cost-effective way to increase performance rather than major structural changes to a combat proven platform.

There's no question about that.

But after reading articles such as this: www.airandspaceforces.com/article/1183f16xl/

They must have thought about it. Especially given the development dollars already put into it. But with the already more expensive Strike Eagle selected, I'm sure they wanted to keep the 'low' F-16 force as affordable as possible.

[Versus]

I am buying it in two months