The F-16 Fighting Falcon was produced by General Dynamics who became Lockheed who
then merged with Martin Marietta to become Lockheed Martin. The F-16 entered service in
January 1979 as a multi-role jet fighter that evolved into an all-weather multi-role aircraft
capable of sustaining 9-g turns. The F-16 is relatively inexpensive to purchase and
maintain so the U.S. and 25 other countries added it to their inventory. The Fighting Falcon
is referred to by its pilots as the “Viper” and will remain in USAF service until 2025.

The Thunderbirds Aerobatic Team began using the F-16 in 1983. Their main aircraft was
the F-16A Block 15 and 2 training F-16B Block 15 until the end of 1991 when they
transitioned to the newer F-16C/D Block 32. These F-16C/Ds were manufactured in 1986
and 1987 and were some of the oldest operational F-16s in the USAF when they were
retired in 2008. For the 2009 show season the Thunderbirds transitioned to 9 updated
F-16Cs Block 52 and 3 F-16Ds Block 52.

General specifications F-16 Fighting Falcon
Primary Function – Multi-role fighter
Manufacturer – General Dynamics Corp. / Lockheed Martin Corp.
Initial Unit cost - F-16C/D, $20 million plus
First Deployed - January 1979 (F-16A)
Crew – 1 x F-16C / 1 or 2 x F-16D
Power Plant - F-16C/D
1 x Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229
or
1 x General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Thrust - F-16C/D / 27,000 lb   (12,150 kg)
Length - 49 ft, 5 in   (14.8 m)
Height - 16 ft   (4.8 m)
Wingspan - 32 ft, 8 in   (9.8 m)
Speed - 1,500 mph   (Mach 2 @ altitude)
Ceiling - Above 50,000 ft   (15 km)
Maximum Takeoff Weight - 37,500 lb   (16,875 kg)
Range - Greater than 2,425 mi   (2,100 nm / 3,900 km)
Combat Radius F-16C
851.6 mi   (1,370 km / 740 nm) w/ 2 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 U.S. gal external
tanks
391.3 mi   (630 km / 340 nm) w/ 4 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 340 U.S. gal external
tanks
230.2 mi   (370 km / 200 nm) + 2 hr. 10 min. patrol w/ 2 x AIM-7 + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 lb U.S.
gal external tanks
Armament
1 x M-61A1 20mm multi-barrel cannon with 500 rounds
External stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles
Conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions
Electronic countermeasure pods.

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