Ending Iranian Nuclear Terror Rests on This Tiny Airplane

By DemocracyRules

It's called the F-16I Sufa (Storm), owned by Israel.  The picture shows the F-16I with closely-fitting "conformal fuel tanks" attached to the upper body.

The F-16 is a fighter aircraft made by Lockheed-Martin, and it has been around in various versions for decades.  Israel likes it because it is affordable and adaptable.  For Israel the vital trade-off is affordability combined with superiority to all immediate Middle Eastern neighbors.  Israel has only about 7 million people, and their country is smaller than some Canadian Parks. Israel’s military budget is high as a percentage of GDP, but their total GDP is not very big.

The F-16I is a very thin red line between peace in the West and World War Four.  It’s a great aircraft that will almost certainly achieve air superiority over Iran.  But the thing is just a little fighter aircraft.  It has a take-off weight of about 26 tons, and it’s small enough to sit in many back yards.

The Israelis have worked hard with Lockheed Martin and their own defense contractors to squeeze as much effectiveness that they could get out of the F-16.   The key problem is range, because fighter aircraft are usually designed to fly for relatively short distances and stay close to a major asset, like a city, an army battalion, or an aircraft carrier.

To make fighters go farther, manufacturers have usually attached disposable “drop tanks” to the wings or belly.  This is always a design problem because the tanks create drag, and weight, and take up space where weapons could be mounted.   They impair maneuverability so much that they usually have to be dropped before the fighter engages in combat.

These issues go back to WWII.  The big thing about the American P-51 Mustang fighter was its long range.  In many ways it was similar to the British Spitfire, but the Mustang’s large internal tanks and long range permitted it to accompany bombers right to Berlin and back, which was a decisive strategic advantage.  One Nazi leader said when he saw Mustangs over Berlin he would know the war was lost, and he was right.

The picture shows an F-16 and a P-51 Mustang.

Just getting to Iran is half the job.  Israeli F-16's will have to travel over hostile territory, avoid Iranian air defenses, drop a relatively small number of precision bombs and missiles, and return to fly another day.  Because theses are fighters, not heavy bombers, they will have to make hundreds of sorties to make a good-sized dent in Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile facilities.

Israeli fighter pilots are excellent, and they practice a lot.

The Americans and Israelis have cooperated in making additional fuel tanks for the F-16's which fit right against the body of the aircraft, to reduce drag and increase carrying capacity.  These extended range "conformal fuel tanks" are made in Israel, and they are the key thing that makes an F-16 into and F-16I.  Because the tanks are attached to the fuselage, the maneuverability is mostly preserved.

So far Israel has received delivery of most or all of the 102 F-16I’s they ordered.  Many are already in use by the Israeli air force.   In addition to the long-range tanks, these have many improvements over earlier models. The new delivery brings the Israeli total of F-16's to about 362.  Many of the older ones could be retro-fitted with the new fuel tanks, bringing the long-range total to about 330.  Israel won’t say if they are doing these retro-fits.

This plan to rely mainly on fighters is of course quite different from the way the USA would handle such an attack, because the US has much more and better equipment.  This includes aircraft carriers, lots of in flight refueling capability, better fighters (e.g F-18 Super-Hornet, F-22 Raptor), heavy bombers, and many types of attack and defense missiles.  In addition to the nuclear and missile sites, the US would probably attack the Revolutionary Guard military bases.

Pro Patria

Comments

[Yes but truthfully]

The only country in the world that has dropped a nuclear bomb on humans was the USA. The current US government has stated that it could do it again - using the bomb as an offensive weapon - not defensive. You know that the USA has lost all credibility in the world now - since Bush and his cronies have dragged the US's name through mud. George Washington must be turning in his grave. Nobody trusts the US now - so in my eyes and many other peoples - the US with a nuclear bomb is almost as dangerous as Iran with a bomb. When I grew up the US were always the good guys and now it's like they have been taken over by the force - 'a la' Star Wars...
And by the way - ending Iranian nuclear terror resting on a tiny F16 - what rubbish. You bomb Iran and the world will ignite and your children will be dying at the hands of jihadists in 10, 20 and 30 years from now - if the planet hasen't already been turned to glass.
Haven't anyone forgotten what a bunch of LIES were told to take the US to war in Iraq - for nothing. Now everyone is eating the same rubbish again...Today there are far more lies being told in the media than the truth.
It's time to get the war-mongers out before they kill us all.
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[Sorry “Yes but truthfully”, but I do not agree with your comments. I guess my greatest concern is your confusion of the concept of truth with what is actually unverified slander and defamation. I would really prefer if you would check your facts before making claims of veracity. I am a lifetime observer of US foreign policy. To my knowledge, the USA has never suggested that it would use any nuclear weapons except for self-defense. Sometimes of course self-defense requires preemption. However, on several occasions the US has been in a position to defeat another major power by nuclear preemption, and they have not done so.

For example, immediately after WWI, it was clear that a Cold War had already begun, and the Soviet Union could have been easily defeated with nuclear weapons. Patton and others wanted to defeat the Soviets immediately, because they correctly predicted it would save lives in the long run. More than 94 million people have died from Communism so far.

However, Truman did not even come to close to doing it. Instead the US had to endure decades of lethal skirmishes and confrontation, from the Berlin Airlift to Korea to Vietnam. The Soviets were stopped by the Cold War, but it is clear what the Soviets would have done, if they had had the upper hand. Khrushchev clearly shouted to the US, “We shall crush you” in a speech to UN.

The USA has not lost all credibility, and I will not marshal the mountain of evidence which proves it. For many Canadians and citizens everywhere, the USA is a beacon of freedom, hope and strength. Fighting for democracy would be immensely more difficult without American help.

Bush does not have cronies, he has employees and colleagues. Please do not assume that you know what George Washington is doing in his grave, or what he should be doing in his grave. I could go on, but I think you get my message. Please keep your discussions based on verifiable facts in the future, and I will read your comments with interest. Democracy is based on discourse. Ones-sided, unverifiable slander and defamation is not discourse. – DR]

[Yes but truthfully]

Firstly, great that you answered! It's great that I got your blood pressure up!

Secondly, I am SURE that you are not 'concerned' about my interpretation of the truth. As regards the 'concept' of truth, prehaps you should review your interpretation of it! I trust you mean I don't adhere to the 'consumption' of the government propoganda that is dished out daily on Fox news, etc? I'd also suggest you also check your 'facts'.

Thirdly, everything I said is verifyable - i would suggest reading alternate truth that is available but harder to find; instead of government propoganda.

Fourthly (phew), just as you wrote 'and I will not marshal the mountain of evidence which proves it', I will also not 'marshal' evidence or verification for my comments, even though they can be verified with evidence.

And so , I hope you read on Gina !

I wonder whether you have spent any amount of time outside of the USA? That is apart from holidaying? Have you ever lived and worked outside of your 'shell'? Do you realise just how insular the average American is, in general, - including yourself - which is 'verifyable' from your answer?

I am sure that my 'insular' comment enrages you. So, could you answer this question then ... truthfully? - Do you know where Botswana is in Africa? I come from a country in that region and grew up in South Africa. No - not Southern Africa, South Africa is a country. I've lived in the US, UK, Belgium, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. Go and look up where these countries are in the world - I know you will have to.

I know what the people think and feel about the US in the rest of the world - because I've lived with many of them. They can't stand the current US and it's policies. I don't need to read anything or seek verifyication - I am in direct contact with that truth every day.

The US has lost massive credibility. Say watever you like. Guantanamo is a model of DEMOCRACY isen't it Gina Cobb? People held without trial.

You have to be carefull in todays world because you can dissappear without trace to one of the CIA's secret prisons, where prisoners are tortured day and night - as has been 'VERIFIED' in countless reports. Innocent people have dissappeared to these prisons only because they looked middle eastern and their passports were not in order. In fact Bush, Rumsfeld, Rice, etc , met to discuss how the prisoners should be tortured. That sounds like a democratic country with credibility. By the way - that can also be verified.

Oh YES - George Washington WOULD turn in his grave. The number of lies that Bush and his cronies - Cheyney, Rumsfeld, etc, have told/told is staggering. Bush contradicts himself continuously. Just on the side, he's a clever guy aint he !!

I could go on - and you can call it slander, but I just hope that in the future this neo-con movement that seems to be holding the ranks in the top echelons of the US governemnt is defeated and truth and justice finally win the day.

[Gina Cobb]

First of all, YesBut, the person you've been leaving comments for is DemocracyRules, a Canadian, not me, Gina Cobb. DemocracyRules is a guest author here. You can tell which posts he writes because his name at the top and bottom of each post. Also, he put his initials "DR" at the end of his comment to you, Yes, I know it's confusing if you don't pay close attention.

I'm delighted for you that you've had a chance to live around the world. Have you put down roots anywhere? Do you care about your own security from the Islamist jihad? Whether you're atheist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, agnostic, or anything else, you are far more likely to be killed by the worldwide Islamic jihad today than by "Bush and his cronies." Do you know how many innocent men, women and children around the world, minding their own business, have been slaughtered in cold blood by radical Islamists?

Visit TheReligionofPeace.com, please, and spend at least 10 minutes there, because there's a wealth of verified material.

When you hear about some supposed "atrocity" of someone you disagree with politically, like President Bush or Dick Cheney, please visit TheReligionofPeace.com again just so you can compare the "atrocities" you are complaining about with the real atrocities commmitted every week all around the world you love so much, all in the name of Allah.

You say that "people" around the world "can't stand the current US and its policies." I suspect that those same people won't be able to "stand" the US no matter who its president is or what it does. Some of it is envy for America's economic success and freedom.

Personally, I can't "stand" people who unfairly judge the leaders of Western democracies, who are doing the best they can to keep their people safe from terrorists who will slaughter anyone to get their way.

Guantanamo isn't the reason for the hatred and jealousy. Guantanamo is simply a place to keep prisoners of war. When in the history of the world have people argued that a country is obligated to give trials to enemy battlefield combatants during wartime -- or release them to fight again? Tell me what other country has done that in wartime and why you think it's a good idea to release battlefield combatants to fight again.

Now, how about this remark: "You have to be carefull in todays world because you can dissappear without trace to one of the CIA's secret prisons, where prisoners are tortured day and night - as has been 'VERIFIED' in countless reports. Innocent people have dissappeared to these prisons only because they looked middle eastern and their passports were not in order. In fact Bush, Rumsfeld, Rice, etc , met to discuss how the prisoners should be tortured. That sounds like a democratic country with credibility. By the way - that can also be verified."

YesBut -- I'll take you up on it. Please VERIFY the "countless people" who haved disappeared without a trace to secret prisons in the United States. I want their names and your proof that they are in secret prisons. When you say their passports "weren't in order," what do you mean? Are they illegal aliens? Give me names, dates, and your evidence that they are in "secret prisons" -- a list of the "countless" names or just the first 50 or 100 names -- and we'll go from there. Thanks.

[fireman]

I have offered to fly over and take photographs of any "secret prisons" reported. I made this offer on several forums. Just post the GPS coordinates of the prison or a nearby point with the bearing and distance to the prison.

Nobody has taken me up on it.

[Nasiri]

do you think you can harm Iran? Iranian are peaceful but if they are attacked ,they are great fighter.iran and US had strik several time in last 30 years go and check what was happend to your solders. you only could shot to an iranian passenger plane,you should be proud of that!!!!
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{From DR -- My Dear Nasiri.
I'm afraid you have missed my point entirely. My posting describes in detail how Israel may defend itself if it is called upon to do so. My main point is that when Israel says they can "handle it", I agree. But it would be a serious stretch for them.

As for me personally Nasiri, no I'm not personally preparing to kill everyone in Iran. So don't worry about me. I recommend you try Iranian.com, where you can read some nice Persian poetry and calm down.

-- Pro Patria}