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.

In 1992 the RoCAF received approval to purchase 120 F-16A and 30 F-16B aircraft that
were built approximately to MLU (Mid-Life Update) specifications. The 401st TFW moved to
Hualien in July 1998 and eventually was comprised of the 17th TFS, 26th TFS and the 27th
TFS. On July 14, 1998 the 401st received its first F-16. The second squadron to receive
the new F-16s was the 26th TFS. The 26th TFS was commissioned on December 16, 1999
and received F-16B 93-0843 tail number 6822 in August 1999.

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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