The F-16 Agile Falcon variant precursor to the Mitsubishi F-2

Posted By on July 21, 2021

My brother Ron spent his career as a civilian with the USAF and much of it was spent year working with F-16 modifications. He was a cog in the bureaucratic gears dealing with the many upgrades and decade long modification cycles.

MitsubishiF-2

I saw this 60/40 international joint partnership model in a photo discussed by my aviation friends who debated the Mitsubishi F-2 derived from the F-16 Agile Falcon  variant proposed by General Dynamics in 1984. It featured a 25% larger wing, upgraded engine and some already planned MSIP IV improvements for the basic F-16. Unsuccessfully offered as a low-cost alternative for the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition, some of its capabilities were incorporated into the F-16C/D Block 40, and the Agile Falcon would serve as the basis for developing Japan’s Mitsubishi F-2 fighter.

BUT really I just liked the photo … and this one too …

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Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
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