Count me in for the F-20 bandwagon...Slick plane, certain success for people who could not afford Vipers, great capabilities for the size/price...
When it comes to the no-LWF anymore, maybe it's the specifications too...
* Plugging big jet engines and making the jet have a good range means lotsa fuel. If we have to invent CFTs to fly the newer Vipers, I think they've gon a bit the wrong way too....
* Small or not, it will still need to be strong enough to withstand maneuver load and combat load - for a 9g aircraft, this means a lot of strengthening members. The F-16N was "lightweightly made", and it got cracks in no time. Afterburners are going to be starving the aircraft too...
Basically, it seems that the Gripen and the Viper have been the uber-LWFs, cannot change that much anymore without making one of the same..Gimme a Viper/Fulcrum/Pick-your-LWF anyday
Big fan of small platforms here !
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