The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American single-engine supersonic multirole fighter

aircraft under production by Lockheed Martin.[4] Designed as an air superiority day

fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft with over 4,600 built
since 1976.[5] Although no longer purchased by the United States Air Force (USAF),
improved versions are being built for export. As of 2025, it is the world's most
common fixed-wing aircraft in military service, with 2,084 F-16s operational.[6]

The aircraft was first developed by General Dynamics in 1974. In 1993, General
Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to Lockheed,[7] which became part
of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.[8]

The F-16's key features include a frameless bubble canopy for enhanced cockpit
visibility, a side-stick to ease control while maneuvering, an ejection seat reclined 30
degrees from vertical to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of
a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system that helps to make it an agile
aircraft. The fighter has a single turbofan engine, an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and
11 hardpoints. Although officially named "Fighting Falcon", the aircraft is commonly
known by the nickname "Viper" among its crews and pilots.[9]

Since its introduction in 1978, the F-16 became a mainstay of the U.S. Air Force's
tactical air power, primarily performing strike and suppression of enemy air
defenses (SEAD) missions; in the latter role, it replaced the F-4G Wild Weasel by
1996. In addition to active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command,
and Air National Guard units, the aircraft is also used by the U.S. Air Force
Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team, the US Air Combat Command F-16 Viper
Demonstration Team,[10] and as an adversary/aggressor aircraft by the United States
Navy. The F-16 has also been procured by the air forces of 25 other nations.
Numerous countries have begun replacing the aircraft with the F-35 Lightning II,
although the F-16 remains in production and service with many operators.[11]

Development
[edit]

Lightweight Fighter program

[edit]
Main article: Lightweight Fighter program

US Vietnam War experience showed the need for air superiority fighters and better
air-to-air training for fighter pilots.[12] Based on his experience in the Korean War and
as a fighter tactics instructor in the early 1960s, Colonel John Boyd with
mathematician Thomas Christie developed the energy–maneuverability theory to
model a fighter aircraft's performance in combat. Boyd's work called for a small,
lightweight aircraft that could maneuver with the minimum possible energy loss and
which also incorporated an increased thrust-to-weight ratio.[13][14] In the late 1960s,
Boyd gathered a group of like-minded innovators who became known as the Fighter
Mafia, and in 1969, they secured Department of Defense funding for General
Dynamics and Northrop to study design concepts based on the theory.[15][16]
Air Force F-X proponents were opposed to the concept because they perceived it as
a threat to the F-15 program, but the USAF's leadership understood that its budget
would not allow it to purchase enough F-15 aircraft to satisfy all of its missions. [17] The
Advanced Day Fighter concept, renamed F-XX, gained civilian political support
under the reform-minded Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard, who favored
the idea of competitive prototyping. As a result, in May 1971, the Air Force Prototype
Study Group was established, with Boyd a key member, and two of its six proposals
would be funded, one being the Lightweight Fighter (LWF). The request for
proposals issued on 6 January 1972 called for a 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) class air-
to-air day fighter with a good turn rate, acceleration, and range, and optimized for
combat at speeds of Mach 0.6–1.6 and altitudes of 30,000–40,000 feet (9,100–
12,000 m). This was the region where USAF studies predicted most future air
combat would occur. The anticipated average flyaway cost of a production version
was $3 million. This production plan was hypothetical as the USAF had no firm plans
to procure the winner.[18][19]

Selection of finalists and flyoff

[edit]

A right-side view of a YF-16 (foreground) and a Northrop

YF-17, each armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles

Five companies responded, and in 1972, the Air Staff selected General Dynamics'
Model 401 and Northrop's P-600 for the follow-on prototype development and testing
phase. GD and Northrop were awarded contracts worth $37.9 million and $39.8
million to produce the YF-16 and YF-17, respectively, with the first flights of both
prototypes planned for early 1974. To overcome resistance in the Air Force
hierarchy, the Fighter Mafia and other LWF proponents[which?] successfully advocated
the idea of complementary fighters in a high-cost/low-cost force mix.[20] The "high/low
mix" would allow the USAF to be able to afford sufficient fighters for its overall fighter
force structure requirements. The mix gained broad acceptance by the time of the
prototypes' flyoff, defining the relationship between the LWF and the F-15. [21][22]

The YF-16 was developed by a team of General Dynamics engineers led by Robert
H. Widmer.[23] The first YF-16 was rolled out on 13 December 1973. Its 90-
minute maiden flight was made at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB,
California, on 2 February 1974. Its actual first flight occurred accidentally during a
high-speed taxi test on 20 January 1974. While gathering speed, a roll-control
oscillation caused a fin of the port-side wingtip-mounted missile and then the
starboard stabilator to scrape the ground, and the aircraft then began to veer off the
runway. The test pilot, Phil Oestricher, decided to lift off to avoid a potential crash,
safely landing six minutes later. The slight damage was quickly repaired and the
official first flight occurred on time.[24] The YF-16's first supersonic flight was
accomplished on 5 February 1974, and the second YF-16 prototype first flew on 9
May 1974. This was followed by the first flights of Northrop's YF-17 prototypes on 9
June and 21 August 1974, respectively. During the flyoff, the YF-16s completed
330 sorties for a total of 417 flight hours;[25] the YF-17s flew 288 sorties, covering 345
hours.[26]

Air Combat Fighter competition

[edit]

Increased interest turned the LWF into a serious acquisition program. NATO allies
Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway were seeking to replace their F-
104G Starfighter fighter-bombers.[27] In early 1974, they reached an agreement with
the U.S. that if the USAF ordered the LWF winner, they would consider ordering it as
well. The USAF also needed to replace its F-105 Thunderchief and F-4 Phantom
II fighter-bombers. The U.S. Congress sought greater commonality in fighter
procurements by the Air Force and Navy, and in August 1974 redirected Navy funds
to a new Navy Air Combat Fighter program that would be a naval fighter-bomber
variant of the LWF. The four NATO allies had formed the Multinational Fighter
Program Group (MFPG) and pressed for a U.S. decision by December 1974; thus,
the USAF accelerated testing.[28][29][30]

YF-16 on display at the Virginia Air and Space Center

To reflect this serious intent to procure a new fighter-bomber, the LWF program was
rolled into a new Air Combat Fighter (ACF) competition in an announcement by U.S.
Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger in April 1974. The ACF would not be a
pure fighter, but multirole, and Schlesinger made it clear that any ACF order would
be in addition to the F-15, which extinguished opposition to the LWF.[29][30][31] ACF also
raised the stakes for GD and Northrop because it brought in competitors intent on
securing what was touted at the time as "the arms deal of the century". [32] These
were Dassault-Breguet's proposed Mirage F1M-53, the Anglo-French SEPECAT
Jaguar, and the proposed Saab 37E "Eurofighter". Northrop offered the P-530
Cobra, which was similar to the YF-17. The Jaguar and Cobra were dropped by the
MFPG early on, leaving two European and two U.S. candidates. On 11 September
1974, the U.S. Air Force confirmed plans to order the winning ACF design to equip
five tactical fighter wings. Though computer modeling predicted a close contest, the
YF-16 proved significantly quicker going from one maneuver to the next and was the
unanimous choice of those pilots that flew both aircraft.[33]
On 13 January 1975, Secretary of the Air Force John L. McLucas announced the
YF-16 as the winner of the ACF competition.[34] The chief reasons given by the
secretary were the YF-16's lower operating costs, greater range, and maneuver
performance that was "significantly better" than that of the YF-17, especially at
supersonic speeds. Another advantage of the YF-16 – unlike the YF-17 – was its use
of the Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine, the same powerplant used by the F-15;
such commonality would lower the cost of engines for both programs.[35] Secretary
McLucas announced that the USAF planned to order at least 650, possibly up to
1,400 production F-16s. In the Navy Air Combat Fighter competition, on 2 May 1975,
the Navy selected the YF-17 as the basis for what would become the McDonnell
Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.[36][37]

Production
[edit]

An F-16C of the Colorado Air National Guard with AIM-9

Sidewinder missiles, an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation pod, and a centerline fuel tank
(300 US gal or 1,100 L capacity)

The U.S. Air Force initially ordered 15 full-scale development (FSD) aircraft (11
single-seat and four two-seat models) for its flight test program which was reduced to
eight (six F-16A single-seaters and two F-16B two-seaters).[38] The YF-16 design was
altered for the production F-16. The fuselage was lengthened by 10.6 in (0.269 m), a
larger nose radome was fitted for the AN/APG-66 radar, wing area was increased
from 280 to 300 sq ft (26 to 28 m2), the tailfin height was decreased, the ventral fins
were enlarged, two more stores stations were added, and a single door replaced the
original nosewheel double doors. The F-16's weight was increased by 25% over the
YF-16 by these modifications.[39][40]

The FSD F-16s were manufactured by General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas,
at United States Air Force Plant 4 in late 1975; the first F-16A rolled out on 20
October 1976 and first flew on 8 December. The initial two-seat model achieved its
first flight on 8 August 1977. The initial production-standard F-16A flew for the first
time on 7 August 1978 and its delivery was accepted by the USAF on 6 January
1979. The aircraft entered USAF operational service with the 34th Tactical Fighter
Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Hill AFB in Utah, on 1 October 1980.[41]
The F-16 was given its name of "Fighting Falcon" on 21 July 1980. Its pilots and
crews often use the name "Viper" instead, because of a perceived resemblance to
a viper snake as well as to the fictional Colonial Viper starfighter from the television
program Battlestar Galactica, which aired at the time the F-16 entered service.[42][9]

On 7 June 1975, the four European partners, now known as the European
Participation Group, signed up for 348 aircraft at the Paris Air Show. This was split
among the European Participation Air Forces (EPAF) as 116 for Belgium, 58 for
Denmark, 102 for the Netherlands, and 72 for Norway. Two European production
lines, one in the Netherlands at Fokker's Schiphol-Oost facility and the other
at SABCA's Gosselies plant in Belgium, would produce 184 and 164 units
respectively. Norway's Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk and Denmark's Terma A/S also
manufactured parts and subassemblies for EPAF aircraft. European co-production
was officially launched on 1 July 1977 at the Fokker factory. Beginning in November
1977, Fokker-produced components were sent to Fort Worth for fuselage assembly,
then shipped back to Europe for final assembly of EPAF aircraft at the Belgian plant
on 15 February 1978; deliveries to the Belgian Air Force began in January 1979. The
first Royal Netherlands Air Force aircraft was delivered in June 1979. In 1980, the
first aircraft were delivered to the Royal Norwegian Air Force by Fokker and to
the Royal Danish Air Force by SABCA.[43][44]

During the late 1980s and 1990s, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) produced
232 Block 30/40/50 F-16s on a production line in Ankara under license for
the Turkish Air Force. TAI also produced 46 Block 40s for Egypt in the mid-1990s
and 30 Block 50s from 2010 onwards. Korean Aerospace Industries opened a
production line for the KF-16 program, producing 140 Block 52s from the mid-1990s
to mid-2000s (decade). If India had selected the F-16IN for its Medium Multi-Role
Combat Aircraft procurement, a sixth F-16 production line would have been built in
India.[45] In May 2013, Lockheed Martin stated there were currently enough orders to
keep producing the F-16 until 2017.[46]

Improvements and upgrades

[edit]

One change made during production was augmented pitch control to avoid deep
stall conditions at high angles of attack. The stall issue had been raised during
development but had originally been discounted. Model tests of the YF-16 conducted
by the Langley Research Center revealed a potential problem, but no other
laboratory was able to duplicate it. YF-16 flight tests were not sufficient to expose the
issue; later flight testing on the FSD aircraft demonstrated a real concern. In
response, the area of each horizontal stabilizer was increased by 25% on the Block
15 aircraft in 1981 and later retrofitted to earlier aircraft. In addition, a manual
override switch to disable the horizontal stabilizer flight limiter was prominently
placed on the control console, allowing the pilot to regain control of the horizontal
stabilizers (which the flight limiters otherwise lock in place) and recover. Besides
reducing the risk of deep stalls, the larger horizontal tail also improved stability and
permitted faster takeoff rotation.[47][48]

In the 1980s, the Multinational Staged Improvement Program (MSIP) was conducted
to evolve the F-16's capabilities, mitigate risks during technology development, and
ensure the aircraft's worth. The program upgraded the F-16 in three stages. The
MSIP process permitted the quick introduction of new capabilities, at lower costs and
with reduced risks compared to traditional independent upgrade programs.[49] In
2012, the USAF had allocated $2.8 billion (~$3.67 billion in 2023) to upgrade 350 F-
16s while waiting for the F-35 to enter service.[50] One key upgrade has been an auto-
GCAS (ground collision avoidance system) to reduce instances of controlled flight
into terrain.[51] Onboard power and cooling capacities limit the scope of upgrades,
which often involve the addition of more power-hungry avionics.[52]

Lockheed won many contracts to upgrade foreign operators' F-16s. BAE Systems
also offers various F-16 upgrades, receiving orders from South Korea, Oman,
Turkey, and the US Air National Guard;[53][54][55] BAE lost the South Korean contract
because of a price breach in November 2014.[56] In 2012, the USAF assigned the
total upgrade contract to Lockheed Martin.[57] Upgrades include Raytheon's Center
Display Unit, which replaces several analog flight instruments with a single digital
display.[58]

In 2013, sequestration budget cuts cast doubt on the USAF's ability to complete the
Combat Avionics Programmed Extension Suite (CAPES), a part of secondary
programs such as Taiwan's F-16 upgrade.[59] Air Combat Command's General Mike
Hostage stated that if he only had money for a service life extension program (SLEP)
or CAPES, he would fund SLEP to keep the aircraft flying.[60] Lockheed Martin
responded to talk of CAPES cancellation with a fixed-price upgrade package for
foreign users.[61] CAPES was not included in the Pentagon's 2015 budget request.
[62]
The USAF said that the upgrade package will still be offered to Taiwan's Republic
of China Air Force, and Lockheed said that some common elements with the F-35
will keep the radar's unit costs down.[63] In 2014, the USAF issued a RFI to SLEP 300
F-16 C/Ds.[64]

Production relocation
[edit]

To make more room for assembly of its newer F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft,
Lockheed Martin moved the F-16 production from Fort Worth, Texas to its plant
in Greenville, South Carolina.[3] Lockheed delivered the last F-16 from Fort Worth to
the Iraqi Air Force on 14 November 2017, ending 40 years of F-16 production there.
The company resumed production in 2019, though engineering and modernization
work will remain in Fort Worth.[65] A gap in orders made it possible to stop production
during the move; after completing orders for the last Iraqi purchase,[66] the company
was negotiating an F-16 sale to Bahrain that would be produced in Greenville. This
contract was signed in June 2018,[2] and the first planes rolled off the Greenville line
in 2023.[67]

Design
[edit]

Overview
[edit]
 Early

Late

Comparison between F-16's inset cannon; early aircraft had four leading vents, a grille, and four
trailing vents, while later aircraft had only two trailing vents

The F-16 is a single-engine, highly maneuverable, supersonic, multirole tactical

fighter aircraft. It is much smaller and lighter than its predecessors but uses
advanced aerodynamics and avionics, including the first use of a relaxed static
stability/fly-by-wire (RSS/FBW) flight control system, to achieve enhanced maneuver
performance. Highly agile, the F-16 was the first fighter aircraft purpose-built to pull
9-g maneuvers and can reach a maximum speed of over Mach 2. Innovations
include a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, a side-mounted control stick,
and a reclined seat to reduce g-force effects on the pilot. It is armed with an internal
20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon in the left wing root and has multiple locations for
mounting various missiles, bombs and pods. It has a thrust-to-weight ratio greater
than one, providing power to climb and vertical acceleration.[68]

The F-16 was designed to be relatively inexpensive to build and simpler to maintain
than earlier-generation fighters. The airframe is built with about 80% aviation-
grade aluminum alloys, 8% steel, 3% composites, and 1.5% titanium. The leading-
edge flaps, stabilators, and ventral fins make use of bonded aluminum honeycomb
structures and graphite epoxy lamination coatings. The number of lubrication points,
fuel line connections, and replaceable modules is significantly less than in preceding
fighters; 80% of the access panels can be accessed without stands.[45] The air intake
was placed so it was rearward of the nose but forward enough to minimize air flow
losses and reduce aerodynamic drag.[69]

Although the LWF program called for a structural life of 4,000 flight hours, capable of
achieving 7.33-g with 80% internal fuel; GD's engineers decided to design the F-16's
airframe life for 8,000 hours and for 9-g maneuvers on full internal fuel. This proved
advantageous when the aircraft's mission changed from solely air-to-air combat to
multirole operations. Changes in operational use and additional systems have
increased weight, necessitating multiple structural strengthening programs.[70]

General configuration
[edit]

F-16CJ of the 20th Fighter Wing from Shaw AFB, South

Carolina, armed with a mix of air-to-air missiles, anti-radiation missiles, external fuel tanks and
support equipment

The F-16 has a cropped-delta wing incorporating wing-fuselage blending and

forebody vortex-control strakes; a fixed-geometry, underslung air intake (with splitter
plate[71]) to the single turbofan jet engine; a conventional tri-
plane empennage arrangement with all-moving horizontal "stabilator" tailplanes; a
pair of ventral fins beneath the fuselage aft of the wing's trailing edge; and a
tricycle landing gear configuration with the aft-retracting, steerable nose gear
deploying a short distance behind the inlet lip. There is a boom-style aerial
refueling receptacle located behind the single-piece "bubble" canopy of the cockpit.
Split-flap speedbrakes are located at the aft end of the wing-body fairing, and
a tailhook is mounted underneath the fuselage. A fairing beneath the rudder often
houses ECM equipment or a drag chute. Later F-16 models feature a long dorsal
fairing along the fuselage's "spine", housing additional equipment or fuel.[45][72]

Aerodynamic studies in the 1960s demonstrated that the "vortex lift" phenomenon
could be harnessed by highly swept wing configurations to reach higher angles of
attack, using leading edge vortex flow off a slender lifting surface. As the F-16 was
being optimized for high combat agility, GD's designers chose a slender cropped-
delta wing with a leading-edge sweep of 40° and a straight trailing edge. To improve
maneuverability, a variable-camber wing with a NACA 64A-204 airfoil was selected;
the camber is adjusted by leading-edge and trailing edge flaperons linked to a
digital flight control system regulating the flight envelope.[45][70] The F-16 has a
moderate wing loading, reduced by fuselage lift.[73] The vortex lift effect is increased
by leading-edge extensions, known as strakes. Strakes act as additional short-span,
triangular wings running from the wing root (the junction with the fuselage) to a point
further forward on the fuselage. Blended into the fuselage and along the wing root,
the strake generates a high-speed vortex that remains attached to the top of the
wing as the angle of attack increases, generating additional lift and allowing greater
angles of attack without stalling. Strakes allow a smaller, lower-aspect-ratio wing,
which increases roll rates and directional stability while decreasing weight. Deeper
wing roots also increase structural strength and internal fuel volume.[70][74]

Armament
[edit]

A Portuguese Air Force F-16A outfitted with AIM-9

Sidewinder missiles, AN/ALQ-131 ECM pod, and external fuel tanks

Early F-16s could be armed with up to six AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking short-
range air-to-air missiles (AAM) by employing rail launchers on each wingtip, as well
as radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range AAMs in a weapons mix.[75] More
recent versions support the AIM-120 AMRAAM, and US aircraft often mount that
missile on their wingtips to reduce wing flutter.[76] The aircraft can carry various other
AAMs, a wide variety of air-to-ground missiles, rockets or bombs; electronic
countermeasures (ECM), navigation, targeting or weapons pods; and fuel tanks on
9 hardpoints – six under the wings, two on wingtips, and one under the fuselage.
Two other locations under the fuselage are available for sensor or radar pods. [75] The
F-16 carries a 20 mm (0.79 in) M61A1 Vulcan cannon, which is mounted inside the
fuselage to the left of the cockpit.[75]

Relaxed stability and fly-by-wire

[edit]

F-16C of the South Carolina Air National Guard in-flight

over North Carolina equipped with air-to-air missiles, bomb rack, targeting pods, and electronic
countermeasures pods

The F-16 is the first production fighter aircraft intentionally designed to be slightly
aerodynamically unstable, also known as relaxed static stability (RSS), to both
reduce drag and improve maneuverability.[77] Most aircraft are designed to have
positive static stability, which induces the aircraft to return to straight and level
flight attitude if the pilot releases the controls. This reduces maneuverability as the
inherent stability has to be overcome and increases a form of drag known as trim
drag. Aircraft with relaxed stability are designed to be able to augment their stability
characteristics while maneuvering to increase lift and reduce drag, thus greatly
increasing their maneuverability. At Mach 1, the F-16 gains positive stability because
of aerodynamic changes.[78][79][80]
To counter the tendency to depart from controlled flight and avoid the need for
constant trim inputs by the pilot, the F-16 has a quadruplex (four-channel) fly-by-
wire (FBW) flight control system (FLCS). The flight control computer (FLCC) accepts
pilot input from the stick and rudder controls and manipulates the control surfaces in
such a way as to produce the desired result without inducing control loss. The FLCC
conducts thousands of measurements per second on the aircraft's flight attitude to
automatically counter deviations from the pilot-set flight path. The FLCC further
incorporates limiters governing movement in the three main axes based on attitude,
airspeed, and angle of attack (AOA)/g; these prevent control surfaces from inducing
instability such as slips or skids, or a high AOA inducing a stall. The limiters also
prevent maneuvers that would exert more than a 9-g load.[81][82]

Flight testing revealed that "assaulting" multiple limiters at high AOA and low speed
can result in an AOA far exceeding the 25° limit, colloquially referred to as
"departing"; this causes a deep stall; a near-freefall at 50° to 60° AOA, either upright
or inverted. While at a very high AOA, the aircraft's attitude is stable but control
surfaces are ineffective. The pitch limiter locks the stabilators at an extreme pitch-up
or pitch-down attempting to recover. This can be overridden so the pilot can "rock"
the nose via pitch control to recover.[83]

Unlike the YF-17, which had hydromechanical controls serving as a backup to the
FBW, General Dynamics took the innovative step of eliminating mechanical linkages
from the control stick and rudder pedals to the flight control surfaces.[84] The F-16 is
entirely reliant on its electrical systems to relay flight commands, instead of
traditional mechanically linked controls, leading to the early moniker of "the electric
jet" and aphorisms among pilots such as "You don't fly an F-16; it flies you." [85] The
quadruplex design permits "graceful degradation" in flight control response in that
the loss of one channel renders the FLCS a "triplex" system.[86][87] The FLCC began as
an analog system on the A/B variants but has been supplanted by a digital computer
system beginning with the F-16C/D Block 40.[88][89] The F-16's controls suffered from a
sensitivity to static electricity or electrostatic discharge (ESD) and lightning.[90] Up to
70–80% of the C/D models' electronics were vulnerable to ESD.[91]

Cockpit and ergonomics

[edit]

Bubble canopy, allowing all-round visibility

A key feature of the F-16's cockpit is the exceptional field of view. The single-
piece, bird-proof polycarbonate bubble canopy provides 360° all-round visibility, with
a 40° look-down angle over the side of the aircraft, and 15° down over the nose
(compared to the common 12–13° of preceding aircraft); the pilot's seat is elevated
for this purpose. Additionally, the F-16's canopy omits the forward bow frame found
on many fighters, which is an obstruction to a pilot's forward vision.[45][92] The F-
16's ACES II zero/zero ejection seat is reclined at an unusual tilt-back angle of 30°;
most fighters have a tilted seat at 13–15°. The tilted seat can accommodate taller
pilots and increases g-force tolerance; however, it has been associated with reports
of neck aches, possibly caused by incorrect headrest usage.[93] Subsequent U.S.
fighters have adopted more modest tilt-back angles of 20°.[45][94] Because of the seat
angle and the canopy's thickness, the ejection seat lacks canopy-breakers for
emergency egress; instead the entire canopy is jettisoned prior to the seat's rocket
firing.[95]

F-16 ground trainer cockpit (F-16 Mid-Life Update (MLU))

The pilot flies primarily by means of an armrest-mounted side-stick controller

(instead of a traditional center-mounted stick) and an engine throttle; conventional
rudder pedals are also employed. To enhance the pilot's degree of control of the
aircraft during high-g combat maneuvers, various switches and function controls
were moved to centralized hands on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls upon both
the controllers and the throttle. Hand pressure on the side-stick controller is
transmitted by electrical signals via the FBW system to adjust various flight control
surfaces to maneuver the F-16. Originally, the side-stick controller was non-moving,
but this proved uncomfortable and difficult for pilots to adjust to, sometimes resulting
in a tendency to "over-rotate" during takeoffs, so the control stick was given a small
amount of "play". Since the introduction of the F-16, HOTAS controls have become a
standard feature on modern fighters.[citation needed]

F-16 pilot with Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System and

cockpit head-up display

The F-16 has a head-up display (HUD), which projects visual flight and combat
information in front of the pilot without obstructing the view; being able to keep their
head "out of the cockpit" improves the pilot's situation awareness.[96] Further flight and
systems information are displayed on multi-function displays (MFD). The left-hand
MFD is the primary flight display (PFD), typically showing radar and moving maps;
the right-hand MFD is the system display (SD), presenting information about the
engine, landing gear, slat and flap settings, and fuel and weapons status. Initially, the
F-16A/B had monochrome cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays; replaced by color liquid-
crystal displays on the Block 50/52.[45][97] The Mid-Life Update (MLU) introduced
compatibility with night-vision goggles (NVG). The Boeing Joint Helmet Mounted
Cueing System (JHMCS) is available from Block 40 onwards for targeting based on
where the pilot's head faces, unrestricted by the HUD, using high-off-
boresight missiles like the AIM-9X.[98] The newer Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display is
also available and would later replace the JHMCS in U.S. service.[99]

In November 2024 it was announced that the US Air Force had awarded a $9 million
contract to Danish defense company Terma A/S, to supply its 3-D audio system for
the aircraft, with a program of upgrades over the following two years. The system will
provide high-fidelity digital audio by spatially separating radio signals, aligning audio
with threat directions, and integrating active noise reduction.[100]

Fire-control radar
[edit]

The F-16A/B was originally equipped with the Westinghouse AN/APG-66 fire-control
radar. Its slotted planar array antenna was designed to be compact to fit into the F-
16's relatively small nose. In uplook mode, the APG-66 uses a low pulse-repetition
frequency (PRF) for medium- and high-altitude target detection in a low-
clutter environment, and in look-down/shoot-down employs a medium PRF for heavy
clutter environments. It has four operating frequencies within the X band, and
provides four air-to-air and seven air-to-ground operating modes for combat, even at
night or in bad weather. The Block 15's APG-66(V)2 model added more
powerful signal processing, higher output power, improved reliability, and increased
range in cluttered or jamming environments. The Mid-Life Update (MLU) program
introduced a new model, APG-66(V)2A, which features higher speed and more
memory.[101]

AN/APG-68, as fitted to the nose

The AN/APG-68, an evolution of the APG-66, was introduced with the F-16C/D Block
25. The APG-68 has greater range and resolution, as well as 25 operating modes,
including ground-mapping, Doppler beam-sharpening, ground moving target
indication, sea target, and track while scan (TWS) for up to 10 targets. The Block
40/42's APG-68(V)1 model added full compatibility with Lockheed Martin Low
Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pods, and a high-
PRF pulse-Doppler track mode to provide Interrupted Continuous Wave guidance
for semi-active radar homing (SARH) missiles like the AIM-7 Sparrow. Block 50/52
F-16s initially used the more reliable APG-68(V)5 which has a programmable signal
processor employing Very High Speed Integrated Circuit (VHSIC) technology. The
Advanced Block 50/52 (or 50+/52+) is equipped with the APG-68(V)9 radar, with a
30% greater air-to-air detection range and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mode for
high-resolution mapping and target detection-recognition. In August 2004, Northrop
Grumman was contracted to upgrade the APG-68 radars of Block 40/42/50/52
aircraft to the (V)10 standard, providing all-weather autonomous detection and
targeting for Global Positioning System (GPS)-aided precision weapons, SAR
mapping, and terrain-following radar (TF) modes, as well as interleaving of all
modes.[45]

The F-16E/F is outfitted with Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-80 active electronically

scanned array (AESA) radar.[102] Northrop Grumman developed the latest AESA radar
upgrade for the F-16 (selected for USAF and Taiwan's Republic of China Air Force
F-16 upgrades), named the AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR).[103][104] In
July 2007, Raytheon announced that it was developing a Next Generation Radar
(RANGR) based on its earlier AN/APG-79 AESA radar as a competitor to Northrop
Grumman's AN/APG-68 and AN/APG-80 for the F-16.[45] On 28 February 2020,
Northrop Grumman received an order from USAF to extend the service lives of their
F-16s to at least 2048 with AN/APG-83 as part of the service-life extension program
(SLEP).[105]

Propulsion
[edit]

Afterburner – concentric ring structure inside the exhaust

The initial powerplant selected for the single-engined F-16 was the Pratt & Whitney
F100-PW-200 afterburning turbofan, a modified version of the F-15's F100-PW-100,
rated at 23,830 lbf (106.0 kN) thrust. During testing, the engine was found to be
prone to compressor stalls and "rollbacks", wherein the engine's thrust would
spontaneously reduce to idle. Until resolved, the Air Force ordered F-16s to be
operated within "dead-stick landing" distance of its bases.[17] It was the standard F-16
engine through the Block 25, except for the newly built Block 15s with the
Operational Capability Upgrade (OCU). The OCU introduced the 23,770 lbf
(105.7 kN) F100-PW-220, later installed on Block 32 and 42 aircraft: the main
advance being a Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC) unit, which improved
reliability and reduced stall occurrence. Beginning production in 1988, the "-220" also
supplanted the F-15's "-100", for commonality. Many of the "-220" engines on Block
25 and later aircraft were upgraded from 1997 onwards to the "-220E" standard,
which enhanced reliability and maintainability; unscheduled engine removals were
reduced by 35%.[106]
 Adjustable exhaust nozzle in contracted position

The F100-PW-220/220E was the result of the USAF's Alternate Fighter Engine
(AFE) program (colloquially known as "the Great Engine War"), which also saw the
entry of General Electric as an F-16 engine provider. Its F110-GE-100 turbofan was
limited by the original inlet to a thrust of 25,735 lbf (114.47 kN), the Modular
Common Inlet Duct allowed the F110 to achieve its maximum thrust of 28,984 lbf
(128.93 kN). (To distinguish between aircraft equipped with these two engines and
inlets, from the Block 30 series on, blocks ending in "0" (e.g., Block 30) are powered
by GE, and blocks ending in "2" (e.g., Block 32) are fitted with Pratt & Whitney
engines.)[106][107]

The Increased Performance Engine (IPE) program led to the 29,588 lbf (131.61 kN)
F110-GE-129 on the Block 50 and 29,160 lbf (129.7 kN) F100-PW-229 on the Block
52. F-16s began flying with these IPE engines in the early 1990s. Altogether, of the
1,446 F-16C/Ds ordered by the USAF, 556 were fitted with F100-series engines and
890 with F110s.[45] The United Arab Emirates' Block 60 is powered by the General
Electric F110-GE-132 turbofan with a maximum thrust of 32,500 lbf (145 kN), the
highest thrust engine developed for the F-16.[108]

Operational history
[edit]
Main article: General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon operational history

United States
[edit]

A U.S. Air Force F-16 from the 480th Fighter

Squadron takes off from Spangdahlem Air Base in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn

The F-16 is being used by the active-duty USAF, Air Force Reserve, and Air National
Guard units, the USAF aerial demonstration team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds,
and as an adversary-aggressor aircraft by the United States Navy at the Naval Strike
and Air Warfare Center.[109]

The U.S. Air Force, including the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard, flew
the F-16 in combat during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and in the Balkans later in
the 1990s. During NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, on 2 May 1999 one F-16 has been
shot down over western Serbia by the 250th Air Defence Missile Brigade, piloted
by David L. Goldfein, later Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. F-16s also
patrolled the no-fly zones in Iraq during Operations Northern Watch and Southern
Watch and served during the War in Afghanistan and the War in Iraq from 2001 and
2003 respectively. In 2011, Air Force F-16s took part in the intervention in Libya.[110]

On 11 September 2001, two unarmed F-16s were launched in an attempt to ram and
down United Airlines Flight 93 before it reached Washington D.C. during the 11
September 2001 terrorist attacks, but Flight 93 was prematurely brought down by the
hijackers after passengers attacked the cockpit, so the F-16s were retasked to patrol
the local airspace and later escorted Air Force One back to Washington.[111][112][importance?]

The F-16 had been scheduled to remain in service with the U.S. Air Force until 2025.
[113]
Its replacement is planned to be the F-35A variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35
Lightning II, which is expected to gradually begin replacing several multirole aircraft
among the program's member nations. However, owing to delays in the F-35
program, all USAF F-16s will receive service life extension upgrades.[114] In 2022, it
was announced the USAF would continue to operate the F-16 for another two
decades.[115]

Israel
[edit]

Israeli Air Force F-16A Netz 107 with 6.5 kill marks of other
aircraft, a record for an F-16, as well as one kill mark of an Iraqi nuclear reactor.[116]

The F-16's first air-to-air combat success was achieved by the Israeli Air Force (IAF)
over the Bekaa Valley on 28 April 1981, against a Syrian Mi-8 helicopter, which was
downed with cannon fire.[117] On 7 June 1981, eight Israeli F-16s, escorted by six F-
15s, executed Operation Opera, their first employment in a significant air-to-ground
operation. This raid severely damaged Osirak, an Iraqi nuclear reactor under
construction near Baghdad, to prevent the regime of Saddam Hussein from using the
reactor for the creation of nuclear weapons.[118]
The following year, during the 1982 Lebanon War Israeli F-16s engaged Syrian
aircraft in one of the largest air battles involving jet aircraft, which began on 9 June
and continued for two more days. Israeli Air Force F-16s were credited with 44 air-to-
air kills during the conflict.[117][119]

In January 2000, Israel completed a purchase of 102 new F-16I aircraft in a deal
totaling $4.5 billion.[120] F-16s were also used in their ground-attack role for strikes
against targets in Lebanon. IAF F-16s participated in the 2006 Lebanon War and
the 2008–09 Gaza War.[121] During and after the 2006 Lebanon war, IAF F-16s shot
down Iranian-made UAVs launched by Hezbollah, using Rafael Python 5 air-to-air
missiles.[122][123][124]

On 10 February 2018, an Israeli Air Force F-16I was shot down in northern Israel
when it was hit by a relatively old model S-200 (NATO name SA-5 Gammon)
surface-to-air missile of the Syrian Air Defense Force.[125] The pilot and navigator
ejected safely in Israeli territory. The F-16I was part of a bombing mission against
Syrian and Iranian targets around Damascus after an Iranian drone entered Israeli
airspace and was shot down.[126] An Israel Air Force investigation determined on 27
February 2018 that the loss was due to pilot error since the IAF determined the air
crew did not adequately defend themselves.[127]

Following the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 attacks, F-16Is have played a major
role in Israel's Operation Swords of Iron, executing numerous airstrikes
against Hamas targets in Gaza. The IAF has also employed F-16s in operations
against Hezbollah in Lebanon and in strikes on Iranian-linked assets in Syria
and Iraq, demonstrating the aircraft's versatility and reach.[128]

On 16 July 2024, the last single-seat F-16C Barak-1 ('Lightning' in Hebrew) were
retired; the IAF continue to use the F-16D Brakeet and F-16I Sufa two-seat variants.
[129]
In October 2024, during Operation Days of Repentance F-16Is took part in
significant operations against Iranian military infrastructure as the Israeli forces
launched coordinated strikes on Iranian air defense systems and missile production
facilities, aiming to degrade Iran's military capabilities and deter further aggression.
[130][131]

Israeli F-16s have been instrumental in operations against Houthi targets in Yemen,
taking advantage of the F-16's extended operational range and strategic reach, flying
a distance of approximately 1,700 kilometers (about 1,056 miles).[132][133] Notably, on
December 26, 2024, as part of Operation Tzelilei HaKerem, the IAF conducted
airstrikes targeting Sana'a International Airport and other strategic locations,
responding to Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory.[134]

Pakistan
[edit]

The PAF F-16BM (S. No. 84-606) which shot down one of the Indian jets during Operation Swift
Retort (kill mark visible on nose)

During the Soviet–Afghan War, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16As shot down between
20 and 30 Soviet and Afghan warplanes; the political situation however resulted in
PAF officially recognizing only 9 kills which were made inside Pakistani airspace.
 From May 1986 to January 1989, PAF F-16s from the Tail
[135]

Choppers and Griffin squadrons using mostly AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, shot down
four Afghan Su-22s, two MiG-23s, one Su-25, and one An-26.[136] Most of these kills
were by missiles, but at least one, a Su-22, was destroyed by cannon fire. One F-16
was lost in these battles. The downed F-16 was likely hit accidentally by the other F-
16.[137]

On 7 June 2002, a PAF F-16B Block 15 (S. No. 82-605) shot down an Indian Air
Force unmanned aerial vehicle, an Israeli-made Searcher II, using an AIM-9L
Sidewinder missile, during a night interception near Lahore.[138]

The Pakistan Air Force has used its F-16s in various foreign and internal military
exercises, such as the "Indus Vipers" exercise in 2008 conducted jointly with Turkey.
[139][failed verification]

Between May 2009 and November 2011, the PAF F-16 fleet flew more than 5,500
sorties[needs update] in support of the Pakistan Army's operations against the Taliban
insurgency in the FATA region of North-West Pakistan. More than 80% of the
dropped munitions were laser-guided bombs.[140][141]

On 27 February 2019, following six Pakistan Air Force airstrikes in Jammu and
Kashmir, India, Pakistani officials said that two of its fighter jets shot down one MiG-
21 and one Su-30MKI belonging to the Indian Air Force.[142][143][144][145] Indian officials only
confirmed the loss of one MiG-21 but denied losing any Su-30MKI in the clash and
claimed the Pakistani claims as dubious.[146][147] Additionally Indian officials also
claimed to have shot down one F-16 belonging to the Pakistan Air Force.[148][149] This
was denied by the Pakistani side,[150] considered dubious by neutral sources,[151][152] and
later backed by a report by Foreign Policy magazine, reporting that the US had
completed a physical count of Pakistan's F-16s and found none missing.[153] A report
by The Washington Post noted that the Pentagon and State Department refused
public comment on the matter but did not deny the earlier report.[154]

On 8 May 2025, a PAF F-16 was reported to have been shot down,[155] and was
subsequently refuted.[156]

Turkey
[edit]

F-16 SoloTürk aerial aerobatic aircraft

The Turkish Air Force acquired its first F-16s in 1987. F-16s were later produced in
Turkey under four phases of Peace Onyx programs. In 2015, they were upgraded to
Block 50/52+ with CCIP by Turkish Aerospace Industries.[157] Turkish F-16s are being
fitted with indigenous AESA radars and EW suite called SPEWS-II. [158]

On 18 June 1992, a Greek Mirage F1 crashed during a dogfight with a Turkish F-16.
[159][160][161]
On 8 February 1995, a Turkish F-16 crashed into the Aegean Sea after being
intercepted by Greek Mirage F1 fighters.[162][163]

Turkish F-16s have participated in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo since 1993 in

support of United Nations resolutions.[164]

On 8 October 1996, seven months after the escalation a Greek Mirage

2000 reportedly fired an R.550 Magic II missile and shot down a Turkish F-16D over
the Aegean Sea.[165][166] The Turkish pilot died, while the co-pilot ejected and was
rescued by Greek forces.[161][167][168] In August 2012, after the downing of an RF-4E on
the Syrian coast, Turkish Defence Minister İsmet Yılmaz confirmed that the Turkish
F-16D was shot down by a Greek Mirage 2000 with an R.550 Magic II in 1996
near Chios island.[169] Greece denies that the F-16 was shot down.[170] Both Mirage
2000 pilots reported that the F-16 caught fire and they saw one parachute.[171][172]

On 23 May 2006, two Greek F-16s intercepted a Turkish RF-4 reconnaissance

aircraft and two F-16 escorts off the coast of the Greek island of Karpathos, within
the Athens FIR. A mock dogfight ensued between the two sides, resulting in a midair
collision[173] between a Turkish F-16 and a Greek F-16. The Turkish pilot ejected
safely, but the Greek pilot died owing to damage caused by the collision.[174][175]

Turkey used its F-16s extensively in its conflict with Kurdish insurgents in
southeastern parts of Turkey and Iraq. Turkey launched its first cross-border raid on
16 December 2007, a prelude to the 2008 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq,
involving 50 fighters before Operation Sun. This was the first time Turkey had
mounted a night-bombing operation on a massive scale, and also the largest
operation conducted by the Turkish Air Force.[176]

During the Syrian Civil War, Turkish F-16s were tasked with airspace protection on
the Syrian border. After the RF-4 downing in June 2012 Turkey changed its rules of
engagement against Syrian aircraft, resulting in scrambles and downings of Syrian
combat aircraft.[177] On 16 September 2013, a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down
a Syrian Arab Air Force Mil Mi-17 helicopter near the Turkish border.[178] On 23 March
2014, a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Syrian Arab Air Force MiG-23 when it
allegedly entered Turkish air space during a ground attack mission against Al
Qaeda-linked insurgents.[179] On 16 May 2015, two Turkish Air Force F-16s shot down
a Syrian Mohajer 4 UAV firing two AIM-9 missiles after it trespassed into Turkish
airspace for 5 minutes.[180][181] A Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Russian Air Force
Sukhoi Su-24 on the Turkey-Syria border on 24 November 2015.[182]

On 1 March 2020, two Syrian Sukhoi Su-24s were shot down by Turkish Air Force F-
16s using air-to-air missiles over Syria's Idlib Governorate.[183] All four pilots safely
ejected.[184] On 3 March 2020, a Syrian Arab Army Air Force L-39 combat trainer was
shot down by a Turkish F-16 over Syria's Idlib province.[185] The pilot died.[186]

As a part of Turkish F-16 modernization program new air-to-air missiles are being
developed and tested for the aircraft. GÖKTUĞ program led by TUBITAK SAGE has
presented two types of air-to-air missiles named as Bozdogan (Merlin) and
Gokdogan (Peregrine). While Bozdogan has been categorized as a Within Visual
Range Air-to-Air Missile (WVRAAM), Gokdogan is a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air
Missile (BVRAAM). On 14 April 2021, first live test exercise of Bozdogan have
successfully completed and the first batch of missiles are expected to be delivered
throughout the same year to the Turkish Air Force.[187][188]

Egypt
[edit]

An F-16C of the Egyptian Air Force in 2022

On 16 February 2015, Egyptian F-16s struck weapons caches and training camps of
the Islamic State (ISIS) in Libya in retaliation for the murder of 21 Egyptian Coptic
Christian construction workers by masked militants affiliated with ISIS. The airstrikes
killed 64 ISIS fighters, including three leaders in Derna and Sirte on the coast.[189]

Europe
[edit]
See also: General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon operators

The Royal Netherlands Air Force, Belgian Air Component, Royal Danish Air Force
and Royal Norwegian Air Force all fly the F-16.[190] All F-16s in most European air
forces are equipped with drag chutes specifically to allow them to operate from
automobile highways.[191]

A Yugoslavian MiG-29 was shot down by a Dutch F-16AM during the Kosovo War in
1999.[192] Belgian and Danish F-16s also participated in joint operations over Kosovo
during the war.[192] Dutch, Belgian, Danish, and Norwegian F-16s were deployed
during the 2011 intervention in Libya and in Afghanistan.[193] In Libya, Norwegian F-
16s dropped almost 550 bombs and flew 596 missions,[194] some 17% of the total
strike missions[195] including the bombing of Muammar Gaddafi's headquarters.[196]

In late March 2018, Croatia announced its intention to purchase 12 used Israeli F-
16C/D "Barak"/"Brakeet" jets, pending U.S. approval.[197] Acquiring these F-16s would
allow Croatia to retire its aging MiG-21s.[198] In January 2019, the deal was canceled
because U.S. would only allow the resale if Israel stripped the planes of all the
modernized electronics, while Croatia insisted on the original deal with all the
upgrades installed.[199] At the end of November 2021, Croatia signed with France
instead, for 12 Rafales.[200]
On 11 July 2018, Slovakia's government approved the purchase of 14 F-16 Block
70/72 to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-made MiG-29s.[201] A contract was signed on
12 December 2018 in Bratislava.[202]

Ukraine
[edit]

Ukrainian Air Force F-16s

In May 2023, an international coalition consisting of the United Kingdom, the

Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark announced their intention to train Ukrainian Air
Force pilots on the F-16 ahead of possible future deliveries to increase the Ukrainian
Air Force capabilities in the current Russo-Ukrainian War. The U.S. confirmed that it
would approve the re-export from these countries to Ukraine.[203] Denmark has agreed
to help train Ukrainians on their usage of the fighter. Denmark's acting Defence
Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that Denmark "will now be able to move forward
for a collective contribution to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s".[204] On 6 July 2023,
Romania announced that it will host the future training center after the meeting of
the Supreme Council of National Defense.[205] During the 2023 Vilnius summit, a
coalition was formed consisting of Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada,
Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, the United Kingdom,
and Ukraine.[206] A number of Ukrainian pilots began training in Denmark and the U.S.
[207][208]
The European F-16 Training Center, organized by Romania, the Netherlands,
and Lockheed Martin through several subcontractors, officially opened on 13
November 2023. It is located at the Romanian Air Force's 86th Air Base,[209] and
Ukrainian pilots began training there in September 2024.[210] On 17 August 2023, the
U.S. approved the transfer of F-16s from the Netherlands and Denmark to Ukraine
after the Ukrainian pilots have completed their training.[211] The Netherlands and
Denmark have announced that together they will donate up to 61 F-16AM/BM Block
15 MLU fighters to Ukraine once pilot training has been completed.[212][213]

On 13 May 2024, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that "F-16 from
Denmark will be in the air over Ukraine within months." Denmark is sending 19 F-16s
in total.[214] By the end of July 2024, the first F-16s were delivered to Ukraine.[215]

On 4 August 2024, President Zelensky announced to the public that the F-16 was
now in operational service with Ukraine. Zelensky stated at an opening ceremony
that: "F-16s are in Ukraine. We did it. I am proud of our guys who are mastering
these jets and have already started using them for our country,".[216]

On 26 August 2024, F-16s were reportedly used to intercept Russian cruise missiles
for the first time.[217] Also on 26 August, a Ukrainian F-16 crashed and the
pilot, Oleksii Mes, was killed while intercepting Russian aerial targets during the
cruise missile strikes. The cause is under investigation.[218]
On 13 December 2024, the Ukrainian Air Force stated that an F-16 shot down six
Russian cruise missiles. Two were downed with "medium-range missiles", another
two with "short-range missiles", and two were claimed to be downed by 20 mm
cannon.[219]

On 3 June 2025, the former spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuri Ignat stated
that Ukraine's F-16s are outmatched by Russian jets, missiles and air defenses.[220]

Combat losses
[edit]

Ukraine has confirmed the loss of four F-16 fighters and three pilots as of June 2025.
[221]

The first crash occurred on 26 August 2024. An F-16 of the Ukrainian Air Force
crashed in an undisclosed location in Ukraine during a Russian missile and drone
attack. The pilot of the aircraft, Oleksii Mes, died in the crash.[222] On 30 August 2024,
the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, was dismissed by
President Zelenskyy and replaced by Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko,
[223]
which was partially attributed to "indications" that the F-16 that crashed on 26
August was shot down in "a friendly fire incident". Ukrainian
parliamentarian Maryana Bezuhla and Oleshchuk had previously argued over the
cause of the F-16 loss.[224][225]

The second crash occurred on 12 April 2025. Ukraine stated that pilot Pavlo Ivanov
was killed in action flying an F-16.[226][227] BBC-Ukraine reported that Russian Armed
Forces fired three missiles at the F-16, which was probably flying over the Sumy
region, either from an S-400 ground-to-air system or R-37 air-to-air missiles.[228]

The third crash occurred on 16 May 2025. The Ukrainian Air Force Command stated
that a third F-16 was lost due to an unspecified onboard emergency while carrying
out a mission to repel a Russian aerial attack.[229] The pilot was stated to have steered
the aircraft from populated areas before ejecting and was rescued in a stable
condition.[230]

The fourth crash occurred on 29 June 2025. A Ukrainian F-16 was lost and the pilot
killed while repelling a Russian missile and drone attack, the third F-16 Ukraine has
lost in such a way. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, "used all of his
onboard weapons and shot down seven air targets". The seventh damaged his
fighter and forced him to fly away from a residential area before crashing.[231][232]

Others
[edit]
 Iraqi Air Force F-16C

Venezuela Air Force have flown the F-16 on combat missions.[190] During
the November 1992 Venezuelan coup attempt, two F-16A belonging to the
government loyalist managed to shoot down two OV-10 Bronco and an AT-27
Tucano flown by the rebels and establishing aerial superiority for the government
forces.[233]

Two F-16B of the Indonesian Air Force intercepted and engaged several US Navy
F/A-18 Hornets over the Java Sea in the 2003 Bawean incident.[234]

The Royal Moroccan Air Force and the Royal Bahraini Air Force each lost a single F-
16C, both shot down by Houthi anti-aircraft fire during the Saudi Arabian-led
intervention in Yemen, respectively on 11 May 2015 and on 30 December 2015.[235]

On 11 October 2023, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Security Mira Resnick
confirmed to Jorge Argüello, Argentinean ambassador to the US, that the State
Department has approved the transfer of 38 F-16s from Denmark.[236] On 16 April
2024, it was announced by defense minister Luis Petri that the country went through
with the purchase of 24+1 Danish F-16s, that are to be brought up to date before
they are sent to Argentina.[237] The 25th plane, an F-16B MLU Block 10, meant for
mechanics training, came disassembled in an Argentinian C-130 in late December
2024.[238] Six F-16s a year are to be delivered from Denmark to Argentina until all are
delivered, with the first batch expected around November 2025.[237]

In 2019, the US State Department approved the possible sale of 8 F-16 Block 70s to
Bulgaria,[239] and the deal was approved by the Bulgarian parliament, and
President Rumen Radev.[240] In November 2022, the purchase of a further 8 F-16
Block 70 fighters, spares, weapons and other systems was approved for delivery in
2027.[241] The Bulgarian Air Force expects delivery of the first eight new F-16 Block
70s by 2025 and the second batch of eight F-16 Block 70s is expected in 2027.[242]

In 2024, Argentina selected a bid for 24 F-16AM/BM aircraft from Denmark, instead
of one from JF-17s from China/Pakistan.[243] The first aircraft, a F-16B, was unveiled
in Buenos Aires on 24 February 2025.[244]

Potential operators
[edit]

Philippines
[edit]

In 2021, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved the Philippines'

purchase of 12 F-16s worth an estimated US$2.43 billion. However, the Philippines
has yet to complete this deal due to financial constraints with negotiations ongoing.
[245][246]
In April 2025, the possible sale of 20 F-16s were approved, upgrading the
previous approval made by DSCA.[247][248] It was reported in May 2025 that Lockheed
Martin was interested in developing a facility similar to the Center for Innovation and
Security Solutions in Abu Dhabi, depending on the success of the F-16s being sold.
[249]

Vietnam
[edit]

In 2025, multiple news channels reported that Vietnam is finalizing an agreement to

purchase at least 24 F-16s, possibly the F-16V variant.[250][251]

Civilian operators
[edit]

Top Aces
[edit]

In January 2021, Canadian defence contractor Top Aces announced that they had
taken delivery of the first civilian owned F-16s to their US HQ in Mesa, Arizona. [252] In
an approval process that had taken years, they had purchased a batch of 29 F-
16A/B Netz from the Israeli Air Force, including several that had taken part in
Operation Opera. A year later, the first of these aircraft had finished the extensive
AAMS mission system upgrades including AESA radar, HMCS, ECM, and Tactical
Datalink. In late 2022 they began regular operations flying as contracted aggressors
for USAF F-22 and F-35 squadrons in Luke AFB and Eglin AFB, as well as
supporting exercises in other USAF and USMC bases.[253]

Variants
[edit]
Main article: General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants
 A Republic of China Air Force F-16B landing at Hualien Air

Force Base Venezuelan Air Force F-16B

Testing of the F-35 diverterless supersonic inlet on an F-16

testbed. The original intake with splitter plate is shown in the top image.

F-16 models are denoted by increasing block numbers to denote upgrades. The
blocks cover both single- and two-seat versions. A variety of software, hardware,
systems, weapons compatibility, and structural enhancements have been instituted
over the years to gradually upgrade production models and retrofit delivered aircraft.
[citation needed]

While many F-16s were produced according to these block designs, there have been
many other variants with significant changes, usually because of modification
programs. Other changes have resulted in role-specialization, such as the close air
support and reconnaissance variants. Several models were also developed to test
new technology. The F-16 design also inspired the design of other aircraft, which are
considered derivatives. Older F-16s are being converted into QF-16 drone targets.[254]

F-16A/B
The F-16A (single seat) and F-16B (two seat) were initial production variants. These
variants include the Block 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 versions. Block 15 was the first major
change to the F-16 with larger horizontal stabilizers. It is the most numerous of all F-
 16 variants with 983 produced.[255] Around 300 earlier USAF F-16A and B aircraft
were upgraded to the Block 15 Mid-Life Update (MLU) standard, getting analogous
capability to F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft.[256][257] From 1987 a total of 214 Block 15
aircraft were upgraded to OCU (Operational Capability Upgrade) standard, with
engines, structural and electronic improvements, and from 1988 all Block 15 were
directly build to OCU specifications.[255] Between 1989 and 1992 a total of 271 Block
15OCU airframes (246 F-16A and 25 F-16B) were converted at the Ogden Air
Logistic Center to the ADF (Air Defense Fighter) variant, with improved IFF system,
radio and radar, the ability to carry advanced Beyond Visual Range missiles and the
addition of a side-mounted 150,000 candlepower spotlight for visual night
identification of intruders. Originally intended for Cold-War air defense of the
continental U.S. airspace, with the fall of the Berlin Wall the ADF lost a clear mission,
and most were mothballed starting from 1994. Some mothballed ADFs were later
exported to Jordan (12 -A and 4 -B models) and Thailand (15 -A and 1 -B), while 30 -
A and 4 -B models were leased to Italy from 2003 to 2012[258][259]

An F-16D assigned to the 416th Flight Test Squadron,

412th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center, flies over the Mojave Desert near Edwards AFB,
California
F-16C/D

F-16C Block 50M of the Chilean Air ForceThe

F-16C (single seat) and F-16D (two seat) variants entered production in 1984. The
first C/D version was the Block 25 with improved cockpit avionics and radar which
added all-weather capability with beyond-visual-range (BVR) AIM-7 and AIM-120 air-
air missiles. Block 30/32, 40/42, and 50/52 were later C/D versions.[260] The F-16C/D
had a unit cost of US$18.8 million (1998).[68] Operational cost per flight hour has been
estimated at $7,000[261] to $22,470[262] or $24,000, depending on the calculation
method.[263][unreliable source?]
 United Arab Emirates Air Force F-16E Block 60
with the IFTS pod, CFTs, and various external armament taking off
F-16E/F
The F-16E (single seat) and F-16F (two seat) are newer F-16 Block 60 variants
based on the F-16C/D Block 50/52. The United Arab Emirates invested heavily in
their development. They feature improved AN/APG-80 active electronically scanned
array (AESA) radar, infrared search and track (IRST), avionics, conformal fuel
tanks (CFTs), and the more powerful General Electric F110-GE-132 engine.[264][265][266][N
1]

F-16IN
For the Indian MRCA competition for the Indian Air Force, Lockheed Martin offered
the F-16IN Super Viper.[269] The F-16IN is based on the F-16E/F Block 60 and
features conformal fuel tanks; AN/APG-80 AESA radar, GE F110-GE-132A engine
with FADEC controls; electronic warfare suite and infrared search and track
(IRST) unit; updated glass cockpit; and a helmet-mounted cueing system.[270] As of
2011, the F-16IN is no longer in the competition.[271][unreliable source?] In 2016, Lockheed
Martin offered the new F-16 Block 70/72 version to India under the Make in
India program.[272][273] In 2016, the Indian government offered to purchase 200
(potentially up to 300) fighters in a deal worth $13–15bn.[274] As of 2017, Lockheed
Martin has agreed to manufacture F-16 Block 70 fighters in India with the Indian
defense firm Tata Advanced Systems Limited. The new production line could be
used to build F-16s for India and for exports.[275]
F-16IQ
In September 2010, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency informed the United
States Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale of 18 F-16IQ aircraft along with
the associated equipment and services to the newly reformed Iraqi Air Force. The
total value of sale was estimated at US$4.2 billion.[276] The Iraqi Air Force purchased
those 18 jets in the second half of 2011, then later exercised an option to purchase
18 more for a total of 36 F-16IQs.[277] As of 2021, the Iraqi had lost two in accidents.
[278]
By 2023, the US government reported that these jets were Iraq's most capable
airborne platforms with a 66 percent mission-capable rate. Their maintenance was
being supported by private contractors. At the same time, Iraq's Russian-made
systems were suffering from sanctions imposed in the wake of Russia's invasion of
Ukraine.[279]
F-16N
The F-16N was an adversary aircraft operated by the United States Navy. It is based
on the standard F-16C/D Block 30, is powered by the General Electric F110-GE-100
engine, and is capable of supercruise.[280] The F-16N has a strengthened wing and is
capable of carrying an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pod on the
starboard wingtip. Although the single-seat F-16Ns and twin-seat (T)F-16Ns are
based on the early-production small-inlet Block 30 F-16C/D airframe, they retain the
APG-66 radar of the F-16A/B. In addition, the aircraft's 20 mm cannon has been
removed, as has the airborne self-protection jammer (ASPJ), and they carry no
missiles. Their EW fit consists of an ALR-69 radar warning receiver (RWR) and an
ALE-40 chaff/flare dispenser. The F-16Ns and (T)F-16Ns have the standard Air
Force tailhook and undercarriage and are not aircraft carrier–capable. Production
totaled 26 airframes, of which 22 are single-seat F-16Ns and 4 are twin-seat TF-
16Ns. The initial batch of aircraft was in service between 1988 and 1998. At that
time, hairline cracks were discovered in several bulkheads, and the Navy did not
have the resources to replace them, so the aircraft were eventually retired, with one
aircraft sent to the collection of the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS
Pensacola, Florida, and the remainder placed in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB.
These aircraft were later replaced by embargoed ex-Pakistani F-16s in 2003. The
original inventory of F-16Ns was previously operated by adversary squadrons at NAS
Oceana, Virginia; NAS Key West, Florida; and the former NAS Miramar, California.
The current F-16A/B aircraft are operated by the Naval Strike and Air Warfare
Center at NAS Fallon, Nevada.[281][282][283]
F-16V
At the 2012 Singapore Air Show, Lockheed Martin unveiled plans for the new F-16V
variant with the V suffix for its Viper nickname. It features an AN/APG-83 active
electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a new mission computer and electronic
warfare suite, an automated ground collision avoidance system, and various cockpit
improvements; this package is an option on current production F-16s and can be
retrofitted to most in service F-16s.[284][285] First flight took place 21 October 2015.
[286]
Taiwanese media reported that Taiwan and the U.S. both initially invested in the
development of the F-16V.[287] Upgrades to Taiwan's F-16 fleet began in January
2017.[288] The first country to confirm the purchase of 16 new F-16 Block 70/72 was
Bahrain.[289][290] Greece announced the upgrade of 84 F-16C/D Block 52+ and Block
52+ Advanced (Block 52M) to the latest V (Block 70/72) variant in October 2017. [291]
[292]
Slovakia announced on 11 July 2018 that it intends to purchase 14 F-16 Block
70/72 aircraft.[293][294] Lockheed Martin has redesignated the F-16V Block 70 as the "F-
21" in its offering for India's fighter requirement.[295] Taiwan's Republic of China Air
Force announced on 19 March 2019 that it formally requested the purchase of an
additional 66 F-16V fighters.[296] The Trump administration approved the sale on 20
August 2019.[297][298] On 14 August 2020, Lockheed Martin was awarded
a US$62 billion contract by the US DoD[299] that includes 66 new F-16s at US$8 billion
(~$9.28 billion in 2023) for Taiwan.[300]

USAF QF-16A, on its first

unmanned test flight, over the Gulf of Mexico
QF-16
In September 2013, Boeing and the U.S. Air Force tested an unmanned F-16, with
two US Air Force pilots controlling the airplane from the ground as it flew
from Tyndall AFB over the Gulf of Mexico.[301][302][303]
 Related developments
[edit]
Vought Model 1600
Proposed naval variant
General Dynamics F-16XL
1980s technology demonstrator
General Dynamics NF-16D VISTA
1990s experimental fighter
Mitsubishi F-2
1990s Japanese multirole fighter based on the F-16
Operators
[edit]

Operat
ors:

Current

Former

Future

F-16C
Block 52 of the Hellenic Air Force with conformal
fuel tanks and Advanced IFF (AIFF)

Main article: General Dynamics F-16

Fighting Falcon operators

As of 2024, there have been 2,145 F-16s

in active service around the world.[304][305]

 Argentina
 Bahrain
  Belgium
 Bulgaria
 Chile
 Egypt
 Greece
 Indonesia
 Iraq
 Israel
 Jordan
 Morocco
 Oman
 Pakistan
 Poland
 Portugal
 Romania
 Singapore
 Slovakia[306][307]
 South Korea
 Taiwan
 Thailand
 Turkey
 Ukraine
 United Arab Emirates
 United States
 Venezuela
Former operators
[edit]

 Denmark – Royal Danish Air

Force sold 24 F-16s to Argentine
Air Force in 2024.[308] 19 F-16s
donated to Ukrainian Air Force.[309]
 Italy – Italian Air Force used
up to 30 F-16As and 4 F-16Bs of
the Block 15 ADF variant, leased
from the United States Air Force,
from 2003 to 2012.[310]
 Netherlands – Royal
Netherlands Air Force originally
bought 213 aircraft. Later sold six
F-16s to Royal Jordanian Air
Force.[311] and 36 F-16s to Chilean
Air Force in 2005.[312] Donating the
rest of the fleet of 42 aircraft to
Ukraine in 2024.[213][needs update]
 Norway – Royal Norwegian
Air Force (RNoAF) on 6 January
2022, Norway announced that all
F-16s had been retired and
replaced with the F-35.[313] The
 RNoAF sold 32 of their F-16s
to Romanian Air Force, with the
remaining operational aircraft
being donated to Ukraine.[314][315][316]
Notable accidents
and incidents
[edit]
See also: United States Air Force
Thunderbirds § Accidents

A U.S.
Air Force Thunderbirds pilot ejects from the F-16
just before impact at an air show in September
2003 at Mountain Home Air Force Base

The F-16 has been involved in over 670

hull-loss accidents as of January 2020.[317]
[318]

 On 8 May 1975, while practicing a

9-g aerial display maneuver with
the second YF-16 (tail
number 72-1568) at Fort Worth,
Texas, prior to being sent to
the Paris Air Show, one of the
main landing gears jammed. The
test pilot, Neil Anderson, had to
perform an emergency gear-up
landing and chose to do so in the
grass, hoping to minimize
damage and avoid injuring any
observers. The aircraft was only
slightly damaged, but because of
the mishap, the first prototype
was sent to the Paris Air Show in
its place.[319]
 On 15 November 1982, while on
a training flight outside Kunsan
Air Base in South Korea, USAF
Captain Ted Harduvel died when
he crashed inverted into a
mountain ridge. In 1985,
Harduvel's widow filed a lawsuit
against General Dynamics
claiming an electrical malfunction,
not pilot error, as the cause; a
jury awarded the plaintiff $3.4
million in damages. However, in
1989, the U.S. Court of Appeals
ruled the contractor had immunity
to lawsuits, overturning the
previous judgment. The court
remanded the case to the trial
court "for entry of judgment in
favor of General Dynamics".
[320]
The accident and subsequent
trial was the subject of the 1992
film Afterburn.[321][322]
 On 23 March 1994, during a joint
Army-Air Force exercise at Pope
AFB, North Carolina, F-16D (AF
Serial No. 88-0171) of the 23d
Fighter Wing / 74th Fighter
Squadron was simulating an
engine-out approach when it
collided with a USAF C-130E.
Both F-16 crew members ejected,
but their aircraft, on full
afterburner, continued on an arc
towards Green Ramp and struck
a USAF C-141 that was being
boarded by US Army
paratroopers. This accident
resulted in 24 fatalities and at
least 100 others injured.[323] It has
since been known as the "Green
Ramp disaster".[324]
 On 15 September 2003, a United
States Air Force Thunderbirds F-
16C crashed during an air show
at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.
Captain Christopher Stricklin
attempted a "split S" maneuver
based on an incorrect mean-sea-
level altitude of the airfield.
Climbing to only 1,670 ft (510 m)
above ground level instead of
2,500 ft (760 m), Stricklin had
insufficient altitude to complete
the maneuver, but was able to
 guide the aircraft away from
spectators and ejected less than
one second before impact.
Stricklin survived with only minor
injuries; the aircraft was
destroyed. USAF procedure for
demonstration "Split-S"
maneuvers was changed,
requiring both pilots and
controllers to use above-ground-
level (AGL) altitudes.[325][326]
 On 26 January 2015, a Greek F-
16D crashed while performing a
NATO training exercise
in Albacete, Spain. Both crew
members and nine French
soldiers on the ground died when
it crashed in the flight line,
destroying or damaging two
Italian AMXs, two French Alpha
jets, and one French Mirage
2000.[327][328] Investigations
suggested that the accident was
due to an erroneous rudder
setting that was caused by loose
papers in the cockpit.[329]
 On 7 July 2015, an F-
16CJ collided with a Cessna
150M over Moncks Corner, South
Carolina, U.S. The pilot of the F-
16 ejected safely, but both people
in the Cessna were killed.[330]
 On 11 October 2018, an F-16
MLU from the 2nd Tactical
Wing of the Belgian Air
Component, on the apron
at Florennes Air Station, was hit
by a gun burst from a nearby F-
16, whose cannon was fired
inadvertently during maintenance.
The aircraft caught fire and was
burned to the ground, while two
other F-16s were damaged and
two maintenance personnel were
treated for aural trauma.[331]
 On 11 March 2020, a Pakistani F-
16AM (Serial No. 92730) of
the No. 9 Squadron (Pakistan Air
Force) crashed in
the Shakarparian area
of Islamabad during rehearsals
for the Pakistan Day Parade. The
plane crashed when the F-16 was
executing an aerobatic loop. As a
 result, the pilot of the F-16, Wing
Commander Noman Akram, who
was also the Commanding Officer
of the No. 9 Squadron "Griffins",
lost his life. A board of inquiry
ordered by the Pakistan Air
Force later revealed that the pilot
had every chance to eject but
opted not to and tried his best to
save the aircraft and avoid civilian
casualties on the ground. Videos
taken by locals on the ground
show his F-16AM crashing into
some woods. He was hailed a
hero by Pakistanis while also
gaining some attention
internationally.[332]
 On 6 May 2023, a U.S. Air Force
F-16C of the 8th Fighter
Wing crashed in a field near Osan
Air Base in South Korea during a
daytime training sortie. The pilot
safely ejected from the aircraft.[333]
[importance?]

 On 20 March 2024, an F-16

operated by the Hellenic Air
Force crashed into the sea, close
to the island of Psathoura in the
northern Aegean Sea. The pilot
ejected from the aircraft and was
later rescued.[334]
 On 30 April 2024, an Air Force
General Dyamics F-16 crashed
outside Holloman Air Force Base,
located near Alamogordo in New
Mexico. The pilot ejected safely
before impact.[335]
 On 8 May 2024, an F-16C of
the Republic of Singapore Air
Force crashed during takeoff
within Tengah Air Base. The pilot
successfully ejected from the
aircraft without major injuries.
[336]
The cause was later identified
to be from the malfunction of two
of the three primary pitch rate
gyroscopes on the aircraft. This
was noted to be a "rare
occurrence" by Lockheed
Martin due to the concurrent
failure of the two independent
pitch rate gyroscopes giving
similar inputs which caused the
digital flight control computer to
 reject inputs from the correctly
functioning pitch rate gyroscope
and the backup pitch rate
gyroscope when it was activated
by the rejection of a primary pitch
rate gyroscope.[337]
Aircraft on display
[edit]
Main article: List of displayed General
Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons

As newer variants have entered service,

many examples of older F-16 models
have been preserved for display
worldwide, particularly in Europe and the
United States.

Specifications (F-16C
Block 50 and 52)
[edit]

3-view
drawing of an F-16

The
underside of an F-16 during a vertical climb
 F-16 in
afterburner

Weapo
ns Storage and Security System vault in raised
position holding a B61 nuclear bomb, adjacent to
an F-16. The vault is within a Protective Aircraft
Shelter.

An
Israeli F-16I Block 52 with conformal fuel tanks
(CFTs), electronic countermeasures, and other
external stores during a Red Flag exercise
at Nellis AFB, NevadaA view of an AGM-84
Harpoon air-to-surface anti-ship missile fixed
under the wing of an F-16

Data from USAF sheet,[68] International

Directory of Military Aircraft,[77] Flight
Manual for F-16C/D Block 50/52+[338]

General characteristics
 Crew: 1
 Length: 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)
 Wingspan: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
 Height: 16 ft (4.9 m)
 Wing area: 300 sq ft (28 m2)
  Airfoil: NACA 64A204[339]
 Empty weight: 18,900 lb
(8,573 kg)
 Gross weight: 26,500 lb
(12,020 kg)
 Max takeoff weight: 42,300 lb
(19,187 kg)
 Fuel capacity: 7,000 pounds
(3,200 kg) internal[68]
 Powerplant: 1 × General Electric
F110-GE-129 for Block 50 aircraft
, 17,155 lbf (76.31 kN) thrust dry,
29,500 lbf (131 kN) with
afterburner
(1 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-
229 for Block 52 aircraft,
17,800 lbf (79 kN) thrust dry and
29,160 lbf (129.7 kN) with
afterburner.)

Performance
 Maximum speed: Mach 2.05,
1,176 kn (1,353 mph; 2,178 km/h)
at 40,000 feet, clean[77]
 Mach 1.2, 800 kn
(921 mph;
1,482 km/h) at sea
level[77]
 Cruise speed: 504 kn (580 mph,
933 km/h)
 Combat range: 295 nmi (339 mi,
546 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with
4 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs
 Ferry range: 2,277 nmi
(2,620 mi, 4,217 km) with
three drop tanks
 Service ceiling: 50,000 ft
(15,000 m) [68]
 g limits: +9
 Roll rate: 324°/s[340]
 Wing loading: 88.3 lb/sq ft
(431 kg/m2)
 Thrust/weight: 1.095 (1.24 with
loaded weight & 50% internal
fuel)[N 2]

Armament
 Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.787
in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary
cannon, 511 rounds
 Hardpoints: 2 × wing-tip air-to-air
missile launch rails, 6 × under-
wing, and 3 × under-fuselage
pylon (2 of 3 for sensors) stations
with a capacity of up to 17,000 lb
(7,700 kg) of stores
 Rockets:

 4 × LAU-61/LAU-68
rocket pods (each with
19/7 × Hydra
70 mm/APKWS[344] roc
kets, respectively)
 4 × LAU-5003 rocket
pods (each with 19
× CRV7 70 mm
rockets)
 4 × LAU-10 rocket
pods (each with 4
× Zuni 127 mm
rockets)
 Missiles:

 Air-to-air missiles:
 6 × AIM-9
Sidewinder
 6 × AIM-
120
AMRAAM
 6 × IRIS-T
 6
× Python-4
 6
× Python-5
 2 × AIM-7
Sparrow[342]
[343]
and 4
× AIM-9
Sidewinder
 Air-to-surface
missiles:
 6 × AGM-
65
Maverick
 2 × AGM-
88 HARM
 AGM-158
JASSM (J
ASSM)
 Anti-ship missiles:
 2 × AGM-
84
Harpoon
  4 × AGM-
119
Penguin
 Joint Strike
Missile (to
be
integrated)
 Bombs:

 8 × CBU-87
Combined Effects
Munition
 8 × CBU-89 Gator
mine
 8 × CBU-97 Sensor
Fuzed Weapon
 4 × Mark 84 general-
purpose bombs
 8 × Mark 83 GP
bombs
 12 × Mark 82 GP
bombs
 8 × GBU-39 Small
Diameter Bomb (SDB)
 4 × GBU-10 Paveway
II
 6 × GBU-12 Paveway
II
 4 × GBU-24 Paveway
III
 4 × GBU-27 Paveway
III
 4 × Joint Direct Attack
Munition (JDAM)
series
 4 × AGM-154 Joint
Standoff
Weapon (JSOW)
 Wind Corrected
Munitions
Dispenser (WCMD)
 B61 nuclear bomb
 B83 nuclear bomb
 Others:
 ADM-160 MALD[341]
 SUU-42A/A flares/
infrared
decoys dispenser pod
and chaff pod or
 AN/ALQ-131 &
AN/ALQ-184 ECM po
ds on centerline or
  LANTIRN, Lockheed
Martin Sniper
XR & Litening targetin
g pods or
 AN/ASQ-213 HARM
targeting
system (HTS) Pod
(typically configured
on station 5L with
Sniper XR pod on
station 5R) or
 Up to 3 ×
300/330/370/600
US gallon (1,135,
1,250, 1,400, 2,270
L) Sargent
Fletcher drop tanks for
ferry flight/extended
range/loitering time or
 UTC Aerospace DB-
110 long range EO/IR
sensor pod on
centerline

Avionics
 AN/APG-83 / AN/APG-68 radar
(depends on aircraft variant). The
AN/APG-68 radar is being
replaced on many US Air Force
F-16C/D Block 40/42 and 50/52
aircraft by the AN/APG-
83 AESA radar.[345][346]
 AN/ALR-56M radar warning
receiver, being replaced on US
Air Force F-16C/D Block 40/42
and 50/52 by AN/ALR-69A(V)
 AN/ALQ-213 electronic warfare
suite, being replaced on US Air
Force F-16C/D Block 40/42 and
50/52 by AN/ALQ-257
 MIL-STD-1553 bus[347]