Why is F-16 called Viper?
Pilots had dubbed the jet the “Viper” after the fighter spacecraft in the TV series “Battlestar Galactica.” Many pilots wore “Viper Pilot” name tags. Leadership demanded the pilots remove the tags, but the unofficial nickname stuck.
Why are F-16 called Vipers?
The F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", but "Viper" is commonly used by its pilots and crews, because of a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as to the fictional Colonial Viper starfighter from the television program Battlestar Galactica which aired at the time the F-16 entered service.
Is the F-16 called the Falcon or the Viper?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.
What is the difference between an F-16 Falcon and F-16 Viper?
The F-16V or Viper is the latest variant of the F-16 Fighting Falcon fourth generation, multi-role, fighter aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The Viper integrates advanced capabilities as part of an upgrade package to better interoperate with fifth-generation fighters, including the F-35 and the F-22.
What is a Viper in the Air Force?
The US Air Force (USAF) has conducted the first hot-pit refuelling of the aircraft using the Versatile Integrating Partner Equipment Refuelling (VIPER) kit. The refuelling was carried out by airmen from the USAF's 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) at Kadena Air Base in Japan.
Why is it called a Viper?
The name "viper" is derived from the Latin word vipera, -ae, also meaning viper, possibly from vivus ("living") and parere ("to beget"), referring to the trait viviparity (giving live birth) common in vipers like most of the species of Boidae.
What does Viper stand for Military?
Thales has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army for its AN/VRC-121 Vehicle Integrated Power Enhanced Rifleman (VIPER) Radio system.
What is the f16s nickname?
It was a moment of skill and experience that earned Caldwell a Distinguished Flying Cross and highlighted the dynamic mix of speed and precision that earned the F-16 Fighting Falcon its more common pilot nickname–Viper.
Why the F-16 is such a badass plane?
The first fighter plane to use a “fly-by-wire” control system, where computers, electrical wires, and servos, rather than cables or direct hydraulics, transmit the pilot's inputs to the aircraft's flight control surfaces, the F-16 was so responsive and maneuverable that it required pilots to learn a whole new way of …
Is the F-16 superior to the MiG-29?
Below 200 knots, the MiG-29 has incredible nose-pointing capability down to below 100 knots. The F-16, however, enjoys an advantage in the 200 knot-plus regime. At higher speeds, we can power above them to go to the vertical. And our turn rate is significantly better.
What is the F-16 nickname?
F-16, also called Fighting Falcon, single-seat, single-engine jet fighter built by the General Dynamics Corporation (now part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation) for the United States and more than a dozen other countries.
Why is it called a viper?
The name "viper" is derived from the Latin word vipera, -ae, also meaning viper, possibly from vivus ("living") and parere ("to beget"), referring to the trait viviparity (giving live birth) common in vipers like most of the species of Boidae.
What does viper stand for military?
Thales has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army for its AN/VRC-121 Vehicle Integrated Power Enhanced Rifleman (VIPER) Radio system.
What does viper stand for Military?
Thales has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army for its AN/VRC-121 Vehicle Integrated Power Enhanced Rifleman (VIPER) Radio system.
What is a roach in the army?
The Corps contains clerks, operator supplies (including q-store staff, warehouse staff and food technicians), petroleum operators, parachute riggers and ammunition technicians. Members of the Corps are nicknamed Roaches. Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps.
What do pilots call the F-16?
F-16, also called Fighting Falcon, single-seat, single-engine jet fighter built by the General Dynamics Corporation (now part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation) for the United States and more than a dozen other countries.
Why is the f18 called Rhino?
The F-18 Super Hornet is also called the “Rhino” because of a rhino-like protrusion on the front part of the aircraft's radome.
Are F-16s better than Migs?
Below 200 knots, the MiG-29 has incredible nose-pointing capability down to below 100 knots. The F-16, however, enjoys an advantage in the 200 knot-plus regime. At higher speeds, we can power above them to go to the vertical. And our turn rate is significantly better.
Has an American F-16 been shot down?
On 2 June 1995, one F-16C was shot down by a Serb 2K12 Kub SAM (NATO reporting name: SA-6 "Gainful") while on patrol over Bosnia. Its pilot, Scott O'Grady, ejected and was later rescued by USMC CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter on 8 June.
Is F-16 better then f-15?
Overall, the F-16 appears less advantageous than the F-15 due to its lower maximum speed, service ceiling, and slower rate of climb. However, though the F-16 is less powerful than the F-15, it is more maneuverable as a single-engine fighter aircraft.
What will the F-16 be replaced with?
Such a jet doesn't exist—yet—but thanks to new digital engineering techniques, it could actually enter service before 2030. Now, the alternative aviation magazine Hush-Kit has brought experts together to design that potential F-16 replacement. The result: the F-36 Kingsnake lightweight fighter.
Why is F-18 called Rhino?
The F-18 Super Hornet is also called the “Rhino” because of a rhino-like protrusion on the front part of the aircraft's radome.
What is a smoke in the army?
Combat commanders refer to smoke as a two-edged sword. Smoke can assist a unit to succeed in battle or lead to its failure. There are many systems capable of providing smoke support: artillery, mortars, pots, grenades, aircraft, vehicles, and smoke generators.
What does a spider mean in the Army?
"Spider" crew chiefs and maintenance test pilots work around the clock to support the large flying hour program. Even without receiving accolades or recognizable praise from higher commands, the "Spider" crew chiefs recognize the importance of their jobs.
Why do pilots say Fox 2?
When you fly one of our Air Combat missions, you will hear “FOX 2, Fight's On” to initiate our canned setups. “FOX 2” is a brevity code used by fighter pilots to declare a weapon's release (sorta like “bomb's away” from WWII).
When did the F-16 name change from Falcon to Viper?
In 1980, the F-16 still didn't have an official name. Pilots had dubbed the jet the “Viper” after the fighter spacecraft in the TV series “Battlestar Galactica.” Many pilots wore “Viper Pilot” name tags. Leadership demanded the pilots remove the tags, but the unofficial nickname stuck.