Vought Model 1600

<h2 id="development">Development</h2>
Following the YF-16's victory over the <a href="/facts/Northrop_YF-17/xVhYcxsE">Northrop YF-17</a> for the U.S. Air Force's <a href="/facts/Lightweight_Fighter_program/vENFsanF">Air Combat Fighter program</a>, General Dynamics decided a <a href="/facts/Navalized/0nfL3dpo">navalized</a> variant of the F-16 could also be suitable in the Navy's Navy Air Combat Fighter (NACF) program. Having no <a href="/facts/Carrier-based_aircraft/JvQSNSke">carrier aircraft</a> experience, General Dynamics teamed up with <a href="/facts/Vought/91xgq7xu">Vought</a> (<a href="/facts/Ling-Temco-Vought/qkkpsAYY">LTV Aerospace</a>), which had designed the successful carrier-capable <a href="/facts/F-8_Crusader/u9NCDVJK">F-8 Crusader</a> and <a href="/facts/A-7_Corsair_II/HhyVQl3Y">A-7 Corsair II</a> for the Navy. If selected, Vought would have produced the carrier version of the F-16.
<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1">1</a>
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 robust <a href="/facts/Landing_gear/MGt7HeAf">undercarriage</a> to accommodate carrier launch and recovery operations. The Model 1600 featured the <a href="/facts/Pratt_%2526_Whitney_F401/c8B0aHYw">Pratt & Whitney F401</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2">2</a> but two other powerplant choices were also explored.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a> The Model 1601 had an improved <a href="/facts/Pratt_%2526_Whitney_F100/c8B0aHYw">Pratt & Whitney F100</a>, while the Model 1602 used the <a href="/facts/General_Electric_F101/8UPhbsDd">General Electric F101</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> The aircraft was to be armed with <a href="/facts/AIM-7_Sparrow/n44FypfL">AIM-7 Sparrow</a> missiles. Launch rails were to be added on the sides of the intake for <a href="/facts/AIM-9_Sidewinder/LPm7nQTT">AIM-9 Sidewinder</a> missiles.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a> However, the Navy preferred a twin-engine aircraft, among other reasons, and on 2 May 1975 it selected the Northrop-<a href="/facts/McDonnell_Douglas/cplglcRH">McDonnell Douglas</a> YF-17-based Model 267 proposal, which became the <a href="/facts/F%2fA-18_Hornet/hsKrCHym">F/A-18 Hornet</a>.
<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a>
<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a>

<h2 id="variants">Variants</h2>
Model 1600
A strengthened version of the F-16 Block 10 with carrier arrestor hook and revised nosewheel.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a> It was powered by the <a href="/facts/Pratt_%2526_Whitney_F100/c8B0aHYw">Pratt & Whitney F401</a> (JTF22A-26C) afterburning <a href="/facts/Turbofan/x8XWVw19">turbofan</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a>
Model 1601
Similar to Model 1600, except equipped with an upgraded <a href="/facts/Pratt_%2526_Whitney_F100/c8B0aHYw">Pratt & Whitney F100</a> (JTF22B-25) afterburning <a href="/facts/Turbofan/x8XWVw19">turbofan</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a>
Model 1602
Similar to Model 1601, except with a <a href="/facts/General_Electric_F101/8UPhbsDd">General Electric F101</a>-100 engine,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a> a further enlarged fuselage, and avionics and armament changes.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a>
Model 1602B
Final submission in March 1975; least like the F-16.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a>
<h2 id="specifications-model-1600">Specifications (Model 1600)</h2>
Data from Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945–1978 <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a>General characteristics
<ul><li>Crew: 1</li>
<li>Length: 52 ft 4 in (16 m)</li>
<li>Wingspan: 33 ft 3 in (10.1 m)</li>
<li>Wing area: 369 sq ft (34.3 m2)</li>
<li>Max takeoff weight: 31,231 lb (14,166 kg)</li>
<li>Powerplant: 1 × <a href="/facts/Pratt_%2526_Whitney_F401/c8B0aHYw">Pratt & Whitney F401</a> afterburning <a href="/facts/Turbofan/x8XWVw19">turbofan</a>, 18,370 lbf (81.7 kN) thrust dry, 29,360 lbf (130.6 kN) with afterburner</li></ul>
Performance

<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul>
<li>Aviation portal</li></ul>

Related development

<ul><li><a href="/facts/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon/0KRD0Gqy">General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/General_Dynamics_F-16XL/hH4mWKc5">General Dynamics F-16XL</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/General_Dynamics_X-62_VISTA/ah8lTzXa">General Dynamics X-62 VISTA</a></li></ul>
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

<ul><li><a href="/facts/McDonnell_Douglas_F%2fA-18_Hornet/hsKrCHym">McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Northrop_YF-17/xVhYcxsE">Northrop YF-17</a></li></ul>

Related lists

<ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_active_United_States_military_aircraft/ngNRlgM4">List of active United States military aircraft</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/List_of_fighter_aircraft/JDEPzkbH">List of fighter aircraft</a></li></ul>

<h3>Notes</h3>

<h3>Bibliography</h3>
<ul><li>Buttler, Tony (2008) [First published in 2007]. American Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945–1978. Hinckley, England, UK: Midland Publishing. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-85780-264-1.</li></ul>
<ul><li>Peacock, Lindsay (1997). On Falcon Wings: The F-16 Story. RAF Fairford, United Kingdom: The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Enterprises. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 1-899808-01-9.</li></ul>
<ul><li>Senior, Tim (2002). The AirForces Monthly Book of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Stamford, UK: Key Books Ltd. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 0-946219-60-5.</li></ul>
<ul><li>Spick, Mike (2000). The Great Book of Modern Warplanes. Osceola, WI: MBI Publishing Company. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 0-7603-0893-4.</li></ul>
<ul><li>Thomason, Tommy H. (2009). Strike from the Sea: U.S. Navy Attack Aircraft From Skyraider to Super Hornet 1948–Present. North Branch, MN: Specialty Press. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-58007-132-1.</li></ul>
<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-16.htm">F-16 page on GlobalSecurity.org</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">Peacock 1997, p. 54. <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">Thomason 2009, p. 163. <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">Senior 2003, p. 21. <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Senior 2003, p. 21. <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">Senior 2003, p. 21. <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Peacock 1997, p. 54. <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Buttler 2008, p. 207. <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">Senior 2003, p. 21. <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">Thomason 2009, p. 163. <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Buttler 2008, p. 208. <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">Senior 2003, p. 21. <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">Buttler 2008, p. 208. <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">Senior 2003, p. 21. <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">Buttler 2008, p. 206. <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">Thomason 2009, p. 164. <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Buttler 2008, p. 208. <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Vought Model 1600 open-in-new

Vought Model 1600