AVIATION
NOVEMBER 30, 2021
15 Basic F-16 Fighting Falcon Facts
15 basic F-16 Fighting Falcon facts, one of the most prolific fighter jets in the world today used by 25 nations.
- Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is one the most prolific fighter jets today. It is currently the world’s most foremost combat-proven 4th generation multi-role fighter aircraft.
- F-16 was initially built by the General Dynamics Corporation in the early 1970’s, it is now part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation.
- Lockheed Martin delivered about 4.600 F-16s to over 25 countries. More than 3.000 F 16 fighters are currently operational worldwide.
- Most military pilots called the F-16 as “Viper” due to its similarities to the head of a snake.
- It was also due to the Battlestar Galactica TV series that has the Colonel Viper starfighter in the show which aired at the time F-16 entered service in US Air Force.
- The F-16 was the first fighter jet to use a side-mounted control stick that makes pilot able to rest their arm while flying.
- The Lockheed Martin F-16 V is the most advanced F-16 on the market today.
- F-16 gains big success in the market due to its low cost and versatile performance. It is the second most produced American supersonic jet fighter after the F-4 Phantom.
- F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometers) in an air to surface role. As well as destroying the target, defending against enemy aircraft and then return to base.
- F-16 cannot landed on aircraft carrier even with the tail hook. The hook is only for emergency purposes during landing or securing the aircraft during engine run-up.
- The Viper was the first fighter jet to have a frameless bubble canopy, giving pilots greater angle inside the cockpit.
- Depending on the configuration, the price of one F-16 unit varies from $12 to $35 million.
- US Air Force no longer purchase F-16 for their fleet because they are replacing it with F-35 gradually.
- Export for F-16 is still available for other countries. As of 2015, it was the world’s most numerous fixed-wing aircraft in military service.
- The F-16 can carry 7.000 pounds internal fuel or carry 12.000 pounds with two external tanks.
related post