Normsta3 wrote:
" I'm sure a very knowledgeable person when dealing with F-16"
Not really, I just have fun flying them.
Don't believe everything you read on the web. There are a lot of want to be experts out there. Just because some dude writes in a forum doesn't make it right. Use some real sources for crying out loud.
Just because the profile of the F-16XL wing gave superior performance at supersonic speeds does not mean that it increased the top speed of the aircraft. Actually the F-16XL-1 was only capable of 1.8. The F-16 with the same powerplant is capable of Mach 2.05. With the F-16XL-2 with the GE-129 engine is capable of mach 2.0.
Not that I like posting links, but I guess if you think everything you read is true:
http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Newsroom/FactSheets/FS-023-DFRC.html
I personally prefer sources like NASA and Janes. Most of the others are just kids dreaming up stuff.
Maneuverability - Delta wings will have good instantaneous turn performance, but will suck ass when it comes to sustained turn performance which is the real player in a dogfight. Put a couple of canards on it and it will fix some of the increased drag and separated airflow problems. Show me a good dogfighter with a full delta wing like the F-16xl without canards. The idea behind the F.16XL was not to be a superior dogfighter, but to be a good multi role strike aircraft like the F-15E.
The F-16XL is more stable than the F-16. Good if you want a smooth ride, but not beneficial for superior dogfight performance.
Payload - It may very well be that the F-16XL was capable of carrying a higher load than the Super Hornet, I was just making a point that you can't just take that for granted due to its high amount of stations. According to your own links it looks like it has two stations capable of taking a Mk84.
Of course a two engine aircraft is going to require more maintenance.
You wrote:
"To tell me that 2 engines are easier to maintain than just 1, wow, that's somethin',"
When did I ever claim that and what is your point ? Everything of course has its price.