Supersonic Maneuvering

[peanuthead]

Hello,

Are there any limits to maneuvering when going above mach 1? In other words, can we pull the stick all the way back (in CAT1 CFG) at Mach 1 or greater and stay within the 9g limit? In BMS we can go as fast as we like and stay within 9g. However, my instinct tells me you should only make small changes to the controls when going that fast. How does it work in the real F16?

Thank you

[uri_ba]

you can pull as hard as you want, the FLCS will keep the airframe in one piece. that is FBW. however, there is a slight delay in the onset of AOA limiter, so if you flick the stick quickly, rather then apply gradual force, the FLCS might not be able to stop the pull on time. this however is relevant to CATIII with stores.

Anyway, you should be aware, that the aircraft doesn’t necessarily be able to achieve 9Gs, or that the turn radio will be by any way usable.

[Dee-Jay]

@peanuthead:

Are there any limits to maneuvering when going above mach 1? In other words, can we pull the stick all the way back (in CAT1 CFG) at Mach 1 or greater and stay within the 9g limit?

Basically … CATI/III is an AoA/G limiter for departure protection. Not a G protection. … You can stress the airframe/stores beyond its limits whatever the CAT setting is.

“Max G” protection is provided by FLCS as Uri explained above, but do not take in account the stores limitations.

How does it work in the real F16?

Exactly the same as in the BMS.

Flight Model (FM) Developer’s Notes

…

[uri_ba]

BTW, in supersonic speeds, above a certain mach number, the F-16 is actually aerodynamically stable.
in those speeds, the center of lift moves back far enough to actually be behind the CG.

[SUBS17]

I think that there is some limitations for the F-16 as I read somewhere one was lost that had its tail break off due to supersonic speed and pulling high G.(clean config)

[Blu3wolf]

Yeah… for a clean config, the limitation is observed by the G limiter. If it goes over 9.0G from a limiter pull, tell maintenance about it.