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General Dynamics F-16XL

History of the General Dynamics F-16XL

The original General Dynamics research program evolved into a USAF competitor to replace the expensive, complex and large General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark rotor-interceptor fighter-bomber. The resulting product became the "F-16XL", a significantly improved form of the original F-16 "Fighting Falcon" multirole fighter. The F-16XL competed with an offer from McDonnell Douglas, a ground-attack/fighter-bomber derivative of the original F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter, but failed in the USAF's decision.

Despite its promise, the F-16XL made aviation history with just two completed prototypes.

The original Fighting Falcon debuted in 1974, entered service with the U.S. military in 1978, and over 4,500 were produced (now under the Lockheed Martin banner). It has become an export and popular with pilots for its multi-faceted mission qualities.

The F-16XL itself is the F-16 "SCAMP" ("Supersonic Cruise and Maneuver Prototype") born out of General Dynamics' research-led efforts in the mid-to-late 1970s. The program is a design study focused on the effects of supersonic sub-laminar flow and the causes and effects of sonic booms.

Despite these changes, the USAF's decision in 1984 to move to an F-15 derivative resulted in the F-15E Strike Eagle, which is still in service today. The F-15E has several inherent advantages over the upgraded F-16XL: its twin-engine configuration not only provides more power and speed, but it also improves crew and airframe survivability during low-altitude strikes ability.

The existing F-15 airframe also required fewer modifications to fulfill the attack role - a second cockpit was added aft of the first cockpit and equipped with the necessary ground attack instruments. Two-seat trainer variants already exist, so the airframe has more or less justified its conversion process. By contrast, the F-16XL relies on a single engine, which means any immediate damage to the unit would endanger the crew and airframe. The first F-16XL prototype was a single-seat model, forcing the crew to handle all mission management and attack duties.

The second prototype introduced a second crew station. Finally, the modifications required for the existing F-16 airframe were complex and expensive in mass production, giving McDonnell Douglas's design a distinct advantage in the eyes of the USAF brass.

Consequently, the F-16XL was ignored as a replacement for the American F-111. After their days as USAF test subjects, the prototypes were handed over to NASA for further flight studies, with some additional design changes to follow.

Testing was directed by the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and was not put into storage until around 1999. They were not officially decommissioned until 2009, and are preserved to this day (February 2014), allowing readers to imagine their full capabilities as strike fighters.

Despite the setbacks, the F-16 has enjoyed a healthy lifespan around the world and continues to play an important frontline role for many countries, including the United States.