FFA P-16
Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein · Switzerland · first flew 1955 · fighter
The FFA P-16 was a Swiss single-engine transonic fighter-bomber developed in the mid-1950s, designed to provide Switzerland with an indigenous supersonic-capable strike aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.33 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Swiss swept-wing jet fighter with chin intake
- Single-engine subsonic attack aircraft from the 1950s
- Cancelled after accidents despite promising performance
A clean mid-wing jet with moderately swept wings, a chin air intake beneath the nose, a conventional tail, and a single turbojet — broadly resembling the Hawker Hunter in overall configuration.
Specifications
- The FFA P-16 has a length of 14.33 m (47 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.15 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1118 km/h (695 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein with Swiss Federal support, the P-16 first flew in 1955 and showed excellent performance. Two of the four prototypes were lost in accidents involving the fuel system, and the programme was cancelled in 1960 when Switzerland opted to purchase the Hawker Hunter instead.
Variants
Four prototypes were built, the later ones incorporating design improvements; no production aircraft followed.
Where you'll see it
The P-16 never entered Swiss Air Force service; it remains one of Switzerland's most ambitious and nearly successful indigenous combat aircraft programmes.
Related aircraft
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