Israel seeks all clear for Iran air strike

telegraph.co.uk (excerpt) ^ | February 24, 2007 | Con Coughlin

[HardStarboard]

>>>More here including some great pictures.<<<

Great site. Full rundown on all Israeli weapons. They are a nation that intends to survive.

[HardStarboard]

I wasn't aware that the F-16 was considered a particularly stealthy aircraft in the first place. Stealth generally is considered as starting with the F-117.

The F-16I probably has a bit larger cross-section with those big external tanks, pods and the dorsal.... but hard to say if it makes a material difference from original config.

Any radar types out there that can answer the question?

[HardStarboard]

>>>Think geography....what is on the other side of Iran? Afghanistan. <<<

I did. Interestingly enough its about the same distance Tehran to Baghram Afghanistan as it is Israel to Tehran.

Roughly 1000 miles each leg. The distance from Tehran to the Afghan border is deceptive. It a lot longer than my "minds eye" had it.

This from an Israeli Defence Force site: " In addition, the cockpit of the F-16I has been expanded to provide for the addition of an onboard weapons officer situated behind the pilot. It has a 820 non-refueling radius of operation."

http://www.israeli-weapons.com/israeli_weapons.html

The 820 figure isn't specified as km or mi - but since other references are to miles - I assume its 820 miles. So 1640 mi range looks a bit dicy to go 2,000!! Its not clear if that is before addition of the "conformal fuselage tanks" and bigger underwing tanks. Maybe the IDF wants to keep Ahmadinejad guessing.

[rahbert]

I am guessing nm as opposed to statute miles. But as
as you say, better to have the bad guys guessing.