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.

1989 saw the 138th TFS / 174th TFW New York ANG replaced their A-10As for the F-16A
Fighting Falcon. In January 1991 the 174th TFW was based in Saudi Arabia and assigned to the
4th TFW (Provisional) as a close air support unit as part of Operation Desert Storm. In 1981 until
1989 F-16A 79-0403 “Bavaria” was assigned to 429th TFS when it transferred to the 138th TFS.
The aircraft was named Spirit of Syracuse and served with the 138th TFW until it was put on
display on the deck of the USS Intrepid in 1995.

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

Dimensions
Length - 49 ft, 5 in   (14.8 m)
Height - 16 ft   (4.8 m)
Wingspan - 32 ft, 8 in   (9.8 m)

Performance
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)
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.

This new site is being updated regularly and it will be much improved before too long. Please be patient, give it time, and check back regularly. Opportunities for community collaboration are in the works for a little further down the road.