An evaluation of the tactical utility of the F-16 multi-axis thrust vectoring aircraft in the air combat

Development of thrust vectoring for fighter aircraft has been pursued for many years, but to date there have been few actual flight demonstrations of its tactical utility. The technical benefits of thrust vectoring to aircraft stability, control, and handling qualities have been analyzed and demonstrated in many simulation and flight test programs. However, only a few of these programs have actually performed tactical scenarios due to limitations in program scope and due to the fact that many of these vectoring systems were designed to demonstrate the feasibility of vectoring, but not the tactical utility of the overall weapon system. The F-16 Multi-Axis Thrust Vectoring (MATV) program attempted to demonstrate a real, tactical benefit for thrust vectoring with a near-production, integrated thrust vectoring system.

The primary objective of this paper is to summarize the results of the tactical utility evaluation of the F-16 MATV program. Answers to the questions regarding the effectiveness of thrust vectoring in air combat posed by the many simulation studies are now available. The lessons learned from this tactical utility assessment validate those learned during the early simulation studies and other thrust vectoring programs. The capability provided by the F-16 MATV is a quantum leap in the development of the technology.

The author participated as a project pilot during the F-16 MATV test effort and was involved in varying degrees with the NASA X-31, F-18 High Angle-of-Attack Research Vehicle thrust vectoring programs and high angle-of-attack simulation studies. The material assumes the reader has a basic understanding of air combat and is written from a pilot perspective. The results and conclusions presented regarding the effectiveness of thrust vectoring in air combat are based on the author's views but are in agreement with those reached by the flight test team as a whole. The arena of air combat is far too complex to be thoroughly evaluated by one individual. However, the topics presented will provide the reader with an initial insight into the capabilities yielded by thrust vectoring in air combat.