And what are these machines capable of in the hands of Ukrainian pilots
Deliveries of American F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to Ukraine have been discussed for several months. It would seem that the decision has been made, and all disputes have ended, but there is still no clarity either on the timing of sending cars to Kiev, or on pilot training. Izvestia, together with a military expert, the founder of the Military Russia portal Dmitry Kornev, understood what these fighters are capable of in the conditions of a special military operation and what the Russian Aerospace Forces can oppose to them.
F-16 Fighting Falcon
What are the capabilities of the aircraft and what are its main features today? The F-16 Fighting Falcon was created and produced by the American company General Dynamics. This is a lightweight supersonic single-engine fighter. The first flight was made in 1974. In 1978, he began entering the US Air Force and within 20 years became one of the most popular supersonic fighters in the world. In total, by 2018, more than 4,600 copies were produced, which are in service with the Air Forces of dozens of countries around the world. For export, the production of the F-16 in the United States continues today. The aircraft are delivered to several new consumers — Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria.
Photo: Global Look Press/Staff Sgt. Taylor Solberg
Image source: iz.ru
The aircraft belongs to the fourth generation of jet fighters, which means that it is ranked in the same generation with such aircraft as the Soviet MiG-29 and Su-27. In fact, the Soviet MiG-23MLD fighter, with which he met in air battles over Lebanon, is close to him in terms of capabilities. The aircraft is distinguished by its relative unpretentiousness in operation, simplicity and reliability. The F-16 has taken part in many conflicts, from the Arab-Israeli wars to the operations of interethnic forces in Iraq.
The F-16 turned out to be a fairly effective air combat aircraft. Under the flag of the US Air Force, the aircraft won eight aerial victories in Iraq and the Balkans. Under the Israeli banner, the F-16 has about 40 victories over Syrian fighters. Not a single defeat in air combat was recorded. But the F-16 was repeatedly shot down by anti-aircraft missile systems, including the Soviet S-125 and others. Plus, it should be added that four to six F-16s were lost in air collisions between Greek and Turkish aircraft.
Application of the F-16 APU
And these sufficiently effective aircraft can be obtained by the APU. How will they be used, given that this is a completely new aviation equipment for Ukraine? Western aircraft have never been operated there before.
Photo: Global Look Press/Michael Steinebach
Image source: iz.ru
Firstly, the F-16 can be used by the APU relatively safely as flying launch platforms for air–to-ground missiles. For example, the same Storm Shadow. The standard mode of such a flight is take—off, advance to the specified point of coordinates in Ukrainian airspace, launch a rocket, return to the airfield and landing. A simple mission. All the time — in the area of its own air defense. No Russian planes and the threat of air combat. Pilot training requirements for such missions may be reduced.
Secondly, aircraft can be used to perform the functions of air defense interceptors. That is, to combat drones, "geraniums" and cruise missiles flying in the airspace of Ukraine. This is also a relatively non-risky and not very difficult type of missions. The aircraft are equipped with short– and medium-range air-to-air missiles and operate either independently, searching for and destroying rectilinearly flying air targets, or at the direction of a ground-based air defense system. Relatively safe and also in principle easy.
Thirdly, it is possible to almost fully use the F-16 to fight Russian strike aircraft over the battlefield. In fact, this type of combat use right now could be the most demanded by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but it already requires pilots of higher qualifications who can not only perform missions close to training, but are also ready for maneuverable modern air combat with an enemy who will definitely fight back. Front—line aviation is attack helicopters and bombers, which differ from fighters in their aerobatic capabilities. In general, higher-than-average training is already required. There is a risk of retaliatory missile attacks.
Photo: Global Look Press/Harald Tittel
Image source: iz.ru
Finally, fourthly, it can be a full-fledged participation in air battles over the contact line and beyond. Most likely, the third option of using the F-16 will instantly turn into this most difficult one. Here, Russian multi-purpose fighters such as the Su-30 and Su-35S should come on the scene. They are significantly superior to the F-16 in their flight and combat characteristics. All other things being equal, the account in favor of our "Su" should be opened at the first collisions. In addition, our long-range target designation aircraft can use ultra-long-range air combat missiles of the R-37M type with a range of more than 300 km. In fact, such missiles can violate conditionally "training" missions of the F-16 of the first and second types. Well, in close air combat, the F-16 will probably be a worthy opponent, but the forces here are clearly unequal — the super-maneuverable Su-35S outnumber it by a head.
Pilot training
At the moment, the APU has pilots of different qualifications — from pilots with a good level to beginners with basic training and only in civil aviation. The terms of training of such pilots for the development of a new type of aircraft (F-16) may be different. Four months will probably be enough for an ace pilot - this is the assessment given by American experts. For pilots of average qualifications and without experience of flying combat vehicles, most likely, a training course of eight months or even more will be required.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/Master Sgt. Benjamin Bloker
Image source: iz.ru
During the SVO, some of the AFU aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Some of the downed pilots were able to eject. This allows us to conclude that the APU may have some free resource of qualified pilots who do not have aircraft. And they can take a short training course. But it is not known how many such pilots there are.
Why are they dragging
Today it is clear that the F-16 aircraft will be delivered no earlier than the first quarter of 2024. And observers do not leave the feeling that if the West has the opportunity to move the deadline for sending aircraft further to the right, they will do it. The same thing is happening right now with the start of pilot training for these F-16s. Why?
Photo: Global Look Press/Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta
Image source: iz.ru
One of the main reasons may be the unwillingness of the collective West to escalate the conflict and hidden hopes for the transfer of military clashes to the phase of a ceasefire and some agreements. Because the appearance of a new factor over the battlefield — F-16 aircraft — will definitely bring the confrontation to a new round and will involve the West even more in the conflict. But apparently they don't want it there, or at least they are afraid of it. Plus, they want to assess the potential of the Armed Forces — and does it make sense to help them with such expensive weapons systems as airplanes? Wouldn't it be a waste of effort and money? The West really does not want to risk losing the image of the "invincible" F-16. And after a collision with our planes, this image will surely change.
Dmitry Kornev
