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CCIP · 03-11-08, 05:54 PM

Depends which versions of either plane we're talking about!

The F-16 has much better avionics, later versions have a lot of multirole capability (MiG-29s of later stock have also been catching up on both counts, but not quite). The MiG-29, in theory, has a bigger and more powerful radar, but the F-16s is more versatile and technically advanced. For weapons, both have always had world-class air-to-air armament, but again really depends on years and versions. In theory, the MiG's weapons have a somewhat longer reach. The MiG can also carry more missiles than the F-16. I believe most modern MiG-29s have helmet-mounted reticles for targeting off-boresight missiles, and are equipped with an IRST sensor for passive detection at close-to-medium range which makes them very dangerous, particularly coupled with the AA-11 "Archer" missile which has a slightly longer range than the (average) Sidewinder and was built with thrust vectoring from the start. Current F-16s are being equipped both with helmet-mounted sights and thrust-vectored AIM-9X versions of the sidewinder, too though. The F-16 has a much higher corner velocity - meaning it's a better performer at high speed, but the MiG outperforms it if the (theoretical) dogfight drags down to lower speeds. Having two engines and a lower stall speed is also somewhat of a plus for the MiG. The F-16 has fly-by-wire controls with a "hard" 9G limit - the flight control system will simply not allow it to exceed 9G. The MiG-29 does not, and can (in theory) briefly exceed the limits, but whether that's an actual benefit is questionable.

In a vs. scenario, my bets would be with the F-16, but only if the pilot doesn't let the MiG either catch it off-guard at long range (the F-16's countermeasures should theoretically nullify any advantage to the MiG's ability to shoot its missiles from a longer range than the F-16 can fire its AMRAAM), or get into a prolonged turning fight at close range. In said turning fight, I would peg it on the MiG, as long as it has the above-mentioned IRST and AA-11 missiles. All other things being equal, the MiG is a threat to the F-16, and if I ran into a Fulcrum while piloting the Viper, I'd simply execute a "Grinder" on it, launch a couple of Slammers and get the hell out, low (relatively speaking) and fast.

The F-15 is much better matched 1 on 1 against the MiG-29, I would say, especially in terms of performance.

No, I'm only a Falcon 4 junkie, so any people with knowledge of the real F-16s can feel free to tear the accuracy of my input to pieces :p

03-11-08, 05:54 PM	#2
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	Depends which versions of either plane we're talking about! The F-16 has much better avionics, later versions have a lot of multirole capability (MiG-29s of later stock have also been catching up on both counts, but not quite). The MiG-29, in theory, has a bigger and more powerful radar, but the F-16s is more versatile and technically advanced. For weapons, both have always had world-class air-to-air armament, but again really depends on years and versions. In theory, the MiG's weapons have a somewhat longer reach. The MiG can also carry more missiles than the F-16. I believe most modern MiG-29s have helmet-mounted reticles for targeting off-boresight missiles, and are equipped with an IRST sensor for passive detection at close-to-medium range which makes them very dangerous, particularly coupled with the AA-11 "Archer" missile which has a slightly longer range than the (average) Sidewinder and was built with thrust vectoring from the start. Current F-16s are being equipped both with helmet-mounted sights and thrust-vectored AIM-9X versions of the sidewinder, too though. The F-16 has a much higher corner velocity - meaning it's a better performer at high speed, but the MiG outperforms it if the (theoretical) dogfight drags down to lower speeds. Having two engines and a lower stall speed is also somewhat of a plus for the MiG. The F-16 has fly-by-wire controls with a "hard" 9G limit - the flight control system will simply not allow it to exceed 9G. The MiG-29 does not, and can (in theory) briefly exceed the limits, but whether that's an actual benefit is questionable. In a vs. scenario, my bets would be with the F-16, but only if the pilot doesn't let the MiG either catch it off-guard at long range (the F-16's countermeasures should theoretically nullify any advantage to the MiG's ability to shoot its missiles from a longer range than the F-16 can fire its AMRAAM), or get into a prolonged turning fight at close range. In said turning fight, I would peg it on the MiG, as long as it has the above-mentioned IRST and AA-11 missiles. All other things being equal, the MiG is a threat to the F-16, and if I ran into a Fulcrum while piloting the Viper, I'd simply execute a "Grinder" on it, launch a couple of Slammers and get the hell out, low (relatively speaking) and fast. The F-15 is much better matched 1 on 1 against the MiG-29, I would say, especially in terms of performance. No, I'm only a Falcon 4 junkie, so any people with knowledge of the real F-16s can feel free to tear the accuracy of my input to pieces :p __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart) Last edited by CCIP; 03-11-08 at 06:04 PM.