F-104 maxed out

Orval Fairbairn wrote in message .. .
In article ,
Jim Yanik wrote:

"Bjørnar Bolsøy" wrote in
:


http://www.f-16.net/reference/versions/f16_79.html

I've read that the F-104's speed is really limited by the
compressor inlet temperature on the J79, and that the
airframe itself supports much higher speeds. Since the
J79 fits (modified) in a F-16, what then if we were to
fit a GE-F110 type engine with closer to twice the thrust?



Regards...




What's the point? It's still not going to handle all that well,perhaps
worse with the extra speed. And probably not worth the money spent on the
project.

BTW,would the F-104's inlets then become the major restriction for airflow
into the engine? I believe the jets that use the newer engines have much
larger inlets.

The speed limitation due to the (fixed geometry) inlets arises from the
fact that, going too fast, the inlet will swallow the shockwave,
resulting in compressor stall and other engine misbehavior.

While it is fesible, and it is a possibility to modify the
inlets...you would get to the point where you have to ask yourself "it
is worth it, or is it cheaper to design a new aircraft".