Vought Model 1600


The Vought/General Dynamics Model 1600 series was a fighter aircraft proposal designed for the United States Navy's Navy Air Combat Fighter program. The Model 1600 was a carrier-based derivative of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, but lost to the Northrop/McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.

Development

Following the YF-16's victory over the Northrop YF-17 for the U.S. Air Force's ACF competition, General Dynamics decided a navalized variant could also best it in the Navy's Navy Air Combat Fighter program. Having no carrier aircraft experience, GD teamed up with Vought, which had designed the successful carrier-capable F-8 Crusader and A-7 Corsair II for the Navy; if selected, Vought would have produced the carrier version of the F-16.
LTV created three concepts for the navalized F-16. The main proposal was the Model 1600, which was based on the Block 10 F-16. It featured structural strengthening, an arrestor hook, and a more robust undercarriage to accommodate the rigors of carrier launch and recovery operations. The Model 1600 employed the Pratt & Whitney F401, but two other powerplant choices were also explored. The Model 1601 had an improved Pratt & Whitney F100, while the Model 1602 used the General Electric F101. The aircraft was to be armed with AIM-7 Sparrow air-air missiles. Launch rails were to be added on the sides of the intakes for AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. 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 the F/A-18 Hornet.

Variants

;Model 1600 : A strengthened version of the F-16 Block 10 with carrier arrestor hook and revised nosewheel. It was powered by the Pratt & Whitney F401 afterburning turbofan.
;Model 1601 : Similar to Model 1600, except equipped with an upgraded Pratt & Whitney F100 afterburning turbofan.
;Model 1602 : Similar to Model 1601, except with a General Electric F101-100 engine, a further enlarged fuselage, and avionics and armament changes.
;Model 1602B : Final submission in March 1975; least like the F-16.

Specifications (Model 1600)