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The F-16
Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft
developed by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin for the United
States Air Force.
Designed as a lightweight fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole
aircraft.
The
Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it was a success on the
export market, serving 24 countries.
The F-16 is
the largest Western fighter program with over 4,000 aircraft built
since production started in 1976. Though no longer produced for the US
Air Force, it is still produced for export.
The Fighting Falcon is a dogfighter with
innovations including a frameless, bubble canopy for better
visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while under
high g-forces, and reclined seat to reduce the effect of g-forces on
the pilot. It was also the first fighter aircraft to be deliberately
built to sustain 9g turns. It is also one of the few jets with a
thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one, giving the Falcon excellent
acceleration.
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F-16 Specifications |
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Type |
Multirole
fighter |
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Manufacturer |
Lockheed
Martin Corp |
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Accommodation |
F-16C: one; F-16D: one or two |
|
Armament |
One M-61A1 20mm multibarrel cannon with 500
rounds, external hard points to six air-to-air missiles, conventional
air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions and electronic countermeasure
pods, including AMRAAM, Sidewinder, GBU24 HARM, LANTIRN |
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Performance |
1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude) |
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Wing Span |
32ft, 8in (9.8m) |
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Length |
49ft, 5in (14.8m) |
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Height |
16ft (4.8m) |
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Weight |
Max Take off weight 37,500lb (16,875kg) |
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Powerplant |
one Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or
one General Electric F110-GE-100/129 |
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Variants |
F-16A/B, F-16 C/D, all single engine, multi-mission
tactical aircraft with varying sensor and weapon fits. More than 20 types
of F16 have been produced |
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