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F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Jet

F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Jet

F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Jet official images

Brand: Lockheed Martin
Category: Fighter Jets
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Generation 4th
Maximum Speed Mach 2.0 (1,500 mph)
No. of Engines 1
Radar Range ~160 km (AESA)

Full Specifications
Product Overview
Reviews

Full Specifications

General Information

Name	F-16 Fighting Falcon
Manufacturer	General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin
Country of Origin	United States
Type / Role	Multirole Fighter
Generation	4th
Status	Active / In Service
First Flight	January 20, 1974
Introduction / In Service Since	1978
Number Built	Over 4,600
Operators	USA, Israel, Turkey, Greece, South Korea, etc.

Dimensions & Structure

Length	49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)
Wingspan	32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
Height	16 ft 8 in (5.09 m)
Wing Area	300 sq ft (27.87 m²)
Empty Weight	18,900 lb (8,573 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	42,300 lb (19,187 kg)
Internal Weapons Bay	None
External Hardpoints	9

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 2.0
Range	2,620 mi (4,220 km) with drop tanks
Combat Radius	~500 mi (800 km)
Service Ceiling	50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Rate of Climb	50,000 ft/min
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	1.095
G Limits	+9 / -3

Powerplant

Engine Type	Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 / GE F110-GE-129
No. of Engines	1
Thrust (each)	29,000 lbf (afterburner)
Thrust Vectoring	No
Fuel Capacity	7,000 lb internal

Armament

Gun	1× M61A1 20mm Vulcan
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	AIM-9, AIM-120
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	AGM-65, AGM-88
Bombs	JDAM, Paveway, Cluster bombs
Hardpoints	9
Payload Capacity	17,000 lb (7,700 kg)

Avionics & Systems

Radar	AN/APG-68 / AN/APG-83 AESA
Radar Range	~160 km
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	AN/ALQ-213, ALQ-131
Targeting System	Sniper XR / LANTIRN
Helmet Display	JHMCS
Navigation	GPS/INS
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Digital Fly-by-Wire
Communication	Link 16, Secure UHF/VHF

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	~1.2 m²
Stealth Features	Limited shaping, radar-absorbent coatings
Infrared Signature Reduction	Moderate
Sensor Fusion	Partial (F-16V upgrade)
Networking Capabilities	Link 16, Joint operations compatible

Variants

Special Export Versions

F-16I (Israel), KF-16 (South Korea)

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Gulf War, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan
Notable Operators	USAF, Israel, Turkey, Taiwan, UAE
Combat Proven?	Yes
Mission Types	Air superiority, strike, SEAD, CAS

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	~$35 million (Block 70)
Development Cost	~$8 billion (program total)
Program Name	Lightweight Fighter (LWF)
Funding Countries	United States, NATO partners

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	AESA radar, datalink, EW suite
Future Replacement	F-35A Lightning II
Export Restrictions	Controlled under ITAR
Notable Achievements	Most exported Western fighter
Competitors	JAS 39 Gripen, MiG-29, Mirage 2000

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

Technology 8 / 10
Performance 8 / 10
Firepower 8 / 10
Range & Endurance 8 / 10
Reliability & Maintenance 8 / 10

PROS

Exceptional agility and maneuverability
Proven combat record and reliability
Wide global logistics and maintenance network
Cost-effective multirole capability
Ongoing modernization through F-16V upgrades

CONS

Limited stealth capability
Single-engine vulnerability
Shorter range compared to twin-engine fighters
Aging airframes in early variants
Outclassed by newer fifth-generation aircraft

F-16 Fighting Falcon: America’s Agile Multirole Fighter

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, often called the “Viper” by its pilots, is one of the most successful and widely operated fighter jets in history. Developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) for the U.S. Air Force, the F-16 first flew in 1974 and entered service in 1978. Designed as a lightweight, high-performance fighter, it quickly evolved into a versatile multirole aircraft capable of both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strike missions.

Design and Capabilities

Built around the concept of agility and cost-efficiency, the F-16 features a frameless bubble canopy for enhanced visibility, a side-mounted control stick for precise handling, and a fly-by-wire control system—one of the first of its kind. Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F100 or GE F110 turbofan engine, the F-16 can reach speeds exceeding Mach 2 and perform at altitudes up to 50,000 feet.

The aircraft’s combat radius of over 500 miles, combined with advanced avionics such as the AN/APG-83 AESA radar, enables superior situational awareness and multi-target engagement. The F-16 can carry a wide range of ordnance, including AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and precision-guided bombs like JDAMs.

Global Impact

More than 4,600 units have been produced, with the F-16 serving in over 25 nations worldwide. It has been combat-proven in multiple conflicts, from Operation Desert Storm to missions over Afghanistan and the Balkans. Continually upgraded through programs like the F-16V (Viper) modernization, the Falcon remains a backbone of Western and allied airpower well into the 21st century.

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