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What determines an aircraft service ceiling?
The definition of the service ceiling is the height above sea level at which an aircraft with normal-rated load is unable to climb faster than 100 feet per minute under standard air conditions.
How high can an F 16 fly?
50,000 feet
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,420 m). Range: 575 miles (925 km); Maximum Range: 1,260 miles (2027 km). Crew: F16A: 1; F16B: 2. Armament: General Electric M61A1 20mm six-barrel cannon and two wingtip Sidewinder or Sparrow air-to-air missiles; nine additional hardpoints capable of carrying up to 15,200 pounds of other stores.
What is helicopter service ceiling?
The maximum altitude which can be reached during forward flight typically depends more on the ability of the engine to breathe the thinner air than the rotor’s ability to provide lift. Turbine-engined helicopters can reach around 25,000 feet.
Why do planes have service ceilings?
So as an airplane climbs higher, the sustained climb rate decreases until eventually it reached zero and the plane can fly no higher in level flight. Service ceiling is generally defined as the maximum altitude a clean aircraft can maintain a certain steady rate of climb.
How many F-16s are there in the Air Force?
The U.S. Air Force initially ordered 15 full-scale development (FSD) aircraft (11 single-seat and four two-seat models) for its flight test program, but was reduced to eight (six F-16A single-seaters and two F-16B two-seaters). The YF-16 design was altered for the production F-16.
When did the F-16 Fighting Falcon enter service?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-role fighter aircraft that entered service in 1979. Image courtesy of FaceMePLS. A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon over Iraq in 2010. Three US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons in formation. The aircraft is installed with the Lockheed Martin LANTIRN infrared navigation and targeting system.
Why was the F-16 designed to be unstable?
The F-16 is the first production fighter aircraft intentionally designed to be slightly aerodynamically unstable, also known as “relaxed static stability” (RSS), to improve maneuverability.
What kind of targeting system does the F-16 have?
The F-16 carries the Lockheed Martin LANTIRN infrared navigation and targeting system. This is used in conjunction with a BAE Systems holographic display. Block 50/52 aircraft are equipped with the HARM targeting system, AN/ASQ-213 from Raytheon.