| Model 1600 | |
|---|---|
 Artist's concept of the Model 1600 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Carrier-basedfighter |
| Manufacturer | Vought /General Dynamics |
| Status | Canceled |
| Primary user | United States Navy (intended) |
| History | |
| Developed from | General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon |
TheVought/General Dynamics Model 1600 series was afighter aircraft proposal for theUnited States Navy'sNavy Air Combat Fighter (NACF) program. The Model 1600 was acarrier-based derivative of theGeneral Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, but lost to theNorthrop/McDonnell DouglasF/A-18 Hornet.
Following the YF-16's victory over theNorthrop YF-17 for the U.S. Air Force'sAir Combat Fighter program, General Dynamics decided anavalized variant of the F-16 could also be suitable in the Navy'sNavy Air Combat Fighter (NACF) program. Having nocarrier aircraft experience, General Dynamics teamed up withVought (LTV Aerospace), which had designed the successful carrier-capableF-8 Crusader andA-7 Corsair II for the Navy. If selected, Vought would have produced the carrier version of the F-16.[1]
Vought created three concepts for the navalized F-16. The main proposal was the Model 1600, which was based on the Block 10 F-16, which featured structural strengthening, an arrestor hook, and a more robustundercarriage to accommodate carrier launch and recovery operations. The Model 1600 featured thePratt & Whitney F401,[2] but two other powerplant choices were also explored.[3] The Model 1601 had an improvedPratt & Whitney F100, while the Model 1602 used theGeneral Electric F101.[3] The aircraft was to be armed withAIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Launch rails were to be added on the sides of the intake forAIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.[3] However, the Navy preferred a twin-engine aircraft, among other reasons, and on 2 May 1975 it selected the Northrop-McDonnell Douglas YF-17-based Model 267 proposal, which became theF/A-18 Hornet.[1][4]
Data from Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945–1978[5]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
