f16

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. It first flew in 1974 and entered service in 1978. Designed to be a compact, highly maneuverable, and affordable aircraft, the F-16 was intended for air superiority as well as precision ground-attack missions, with continual upgrades to extend its capabilities.

Key design features include a frameless bubble canopy that provides excellent visibility, a fly-by-wire flight-control system that allows relaxed static stability and advanced maneuvering, and a modular avionics and weapon-system architecture. The aircraft is powered by a single afterburning turbofan engine (variants include the Pratt & Whitney F100 and the General Electric F110) and carries an internal 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon. It supports a wide range of air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground munitions, and targeting pods on multiple external hardpoints, with avionics and radar evolving across model blocks.

Variants and production have included the F-16A/B (initial two-seat version), the F-16C/D (upgraded combat capabilities), and export or specialized versions such as the F-16E/F Block 60 and the F-16I Sufa. The F-16 has been produced for the United States and under license in several countries, and it remains in active service with many air forces worldwide. Known for its versatility, upgrade potential, and relatively low operating cost, the F-16 has been a foundational platform for decades and continues to be used in modern combat environments.