The F-16's key features include a frameless bubble canopy for enhanced cockpit visibility, a side-mounted control 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.Template:Sfn
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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="LM Morocco Sale">Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2025, it is the world's most common fixed-wing aircraft in military service, with 2,084 F-16s operational.<ref>2025 World Air Forces, Flight Global, p. 10.</ref>
US Vietnam War experience showed the need for air superiority fighters and better air-to-air training for fighter pilots.Template:Sfn 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.<ref name="Hillaker-Boyd">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
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.<ref name="bjorkman 2014">Template:Cite web</ref> 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 Template:Convert class air-to-air day fighter with a good turn rate, acceleration, and range, and optimized for combat at speeds of Template:Nowrap and altitudes of Template:Convert. This was the region where USAF studies predicted most future air combat would occur. The anticipated average flyaway cost of a production version was Template:Nowrap. This production plan was hypothetical as the USAF had no firm plans to procure the winner.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
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 Template:Nowrap and Template:Nowrap 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 proponentsTemplate:Which successfully advocated the idea of complementary fighters in a high-cost/low-cost force mix.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
The YF-16 was developed by a team of General Dynamics engineers led by Robert H. Widmer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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;Template:Sfn the YF-17s flew 288 sorties, covering 345 hours.Template:Sfn
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 Starfighterfighter-bombers.<ref>Osborne, Phil, Executive Producer. "F-16 Fighting Falcon" (video #9-315842-037444). Magna Pacific, 2009. Quote: At 17:29, "Another development, which both manufacturers were aware of, was the aging F-104 Starfighters, which equip several European NATO air forces, would soon need to be replaced."</ref> 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.Template:Sfn<ref name=Richardson_p14/><ref name=Peacock_p12-3/>
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 DefenseJames 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.<ref name=Richardson_p14>Richardson 1990, p. 14.</ref><ref name=Peacock_p12-3>Peacock 1997, pp. 12–13.</ref><ref name="f-16.net">Template:Cite web</ref> 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".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.Template:Sfn
On 13 January 1975, Secretary of the Air ForceJohn L. McLucas announced the YF-16 as the winner of the ACF competition.Template:Sfn 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.Template:Sfn 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.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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).<ref name=Darling_p17>Template:Harvnb</ref> The YF-16 design was altered for the production F-16. The fuselage was lengthened by Template:Convert, a larger nose radome was fitted for the AN/APG-66 radar, wing area was increased from Template:Convert, 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.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
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.Template:Sfn
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.<ref name="EyeoftheViper xxii">Template:Harvnb</ref>Template:Sfn
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'sGosselies 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.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
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.<ref name="JAWA">Template:Cite book</ref> In May 2013, Lockheed Martin stated there were currently enough orders to keep producing the F-16 until 2017.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Darling_p56">Template:Harvnb</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> In 2012, the USAF had allocated $2.8 billion (~$Template:Format price in Template:Inflation/year) to upgrade 350 F-16s while waiting for the F-35 to enter service.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> One key upgrade has been an auto-GCAS (Ground collision avoidance system) to reduce instances of controlled flight into terrain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Onboard power and cooling capacities limit the scope of upgrades, which often involve the addition of more power-hungry avionics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> BAE lost the South Korean contract because of a price breach in November 2014.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2012, the USAF assigned the total upgrade contract to Lockheed Martin.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Upgrades include Raytheon's Center Display Unit, which replaces several analog flight instruments with a single digital display.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Lockheed Martin responded to talk of CAPES cancellation with a fixed-price upgrade package for foreign users.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> CAPES was not included in the Pentagon's 2015 budget request.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2014, the USAF issued a RFI to SLEP 300 F-16 C/Ds.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name="Def1_F-16_line_to_SC">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Star Telegram F-16 Retrospective">Template:Cite news</ref> A gap in orders made it possible to stop production during the move; after completing orders for the last Iraqi purchase,<ref name="Star Telegram F-16 to SC Announced">Template:Cite news</ref> the company was negotiating an F-16 sale to Bahrain that would be produced in Greenville. This contract was signed in June 2018,<ref name="bahrain" /> and the first planes rolled off the Greenville line in 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name=AF_fact_sh>Template:Cite web</ref>
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 epoxylaminationcoatings. 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.<ref name="JAWA"/> The air intake was placed so it was rearward of the nose but forward enough to minimize air flow losses and reduce aerodynamic drag.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Although the LWF program called for a structural life of 4,000 flight hours, capable of achieving Template:Nowrap with 80% internal fuel; GD's engineers decided to design the F-16's airframe life for 8,000 hours and for Template:Nowrap 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.<ref name="Richardson 1990, p. 10">Template:Harvnb</ref>
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<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>) 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.<ref name="JAWA"/>Template:Sfn
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.<ref name="JAWA"/><ref name="Richardson 1990, p. 10"/> The F-16 has a moderate wing loading, reduced by fuselage lift.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref name="Richardson 1990, p. 10"/>Template:Sfn
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.<ref name="Spick226232">Spick 2000, pp. 226–228, 232.</ref> More recent versions support the AIM-120 AMRAAM, and US aircraft often mount that missile on their wingtips to reduce wing flutter.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Spick226232"/> The F-16 carries a [[20 mm caliber|Template:Convert]] M61A1 Vulcan cannon, which is mounted inside the fuselage to the left of the cockpit.<ref name="Spick226232"/>
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.<ref name=Frawley_Military>Template:Harvnb</ref> 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 Template:Nowrap, the F-16 gains positive stability because of aerodynamic changes.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn
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 Template:Nowrap load.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.Template:Sfn 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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The quadruplex design permits "graceful degradation" in flight control response in that the loss of one channel renders the FLCS a "triplex" system.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The F-16's controls suffered from a sensitivity to static electricity or electrostatic discharge (ESD) and lightning.Template:Sfn Up to 70–80% of the C/D models' electronics were vulnerable to ESD.<ref>Template:Cite conference</ref>
A key feature of the F-16's cockpit is the exceptional field of view. The single-piece, bird-proofpolycarbonate 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.<ref name="JAWA"/>Template:Sfn The F-16's ACES IIzero/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 Template:Nowrap tolerance; however, it has been associated with reports of neck aches, possibly caused by incorrect headrest usage.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Subsequent U.S. fighters have adopted more modest tilt-back angles of 20°.<ref name="JAWA"/>Template:Sfn 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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 Template:Nowrap 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.Template:Citation needed
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.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref name="JAWA"/>Template:Sfn The Mid-Life Update (MLU) introduced compatibility with night-vision goggles (NVG). The BoeingJoint 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The newer Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display is also available and would later replace the JHMCS in U.S. service.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="JAWA"/>
The F-16E/F is outfitted with Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-80active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> 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).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="JAWA"/> 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).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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 Template:Cvt 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.<ref name="bjorkman 2014" /> 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 Template:Cvt 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%.<ref name="Peacock 1997, pp. 102–103">Template:Harvnb</ref>
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 Template:Cvt, the Modular Common Inlet Duct allowed the F110 to achieve its maximum thrust of Template:Cvt. (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.)<ref name="Peacock 1997, pp. 102–103"/><ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
The Increased Performance Engine (IPE) program led to the Template:Cvt F110-GE-129 on the Block 50 and Template:Cvt 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.<ref name="JAWA"/> The United Arab Emirates' Block 60 is powered by the General Electric F110-GE-132 turbofan with a maximum thrust of Template:Cvt, the highest thrust engine developed for the F-16.<ref name="Peacock 1997, p. 103">Template:Harvnb</ref>
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The F-16 had been scheduled to remain in service with the U.S. Air Force until 2025.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2022, it was announced the USAF would continue to operate the F-16 for another two decades.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="ACIG F-16">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
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.<ref name="ACIG F-16" /><ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> From May 1986 to January 1989, PAF F-16s from the Tail Choppers and Griffin squadrons using mostly AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, shot down four AfghanSu-22s, two MiG-23s, one Su-25, and one An-26.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="Vaya-20020607">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Failed verification
On 8 May 2025, Indian media reported that a PAF F-16 was shot down,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which was not claimed by Indian authorities<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and subsequently refuted by Pakistan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Turkish F-16s are being fitted with indigenous AESA radars and EW suite called SPEWS-II.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 18 June 1992, a Greek Mirage F1 crashed during a dogfight with a Turkish F-16.<ref>Template:YouTube</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ACIG 2004" /> On 8 February 1995, a Turkish F-16 crashed into the Aegean Sea after being intercepted by Greek Mirage F1 fighters.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:YouTube</ref>
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<ref>Template:YouTube</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 16 September 2013, a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Syrian Arab Air ForceMil Mi-17 helicopter near the Turkish border.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-24 on the Turkey-Syria border on 24 November 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All four pilots safely ejected.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The pilot died.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Royal Netherlands Air Force, Belgian Air Component, Royal Danish Air Force and Royal Norwegian Air Force all fly the F-16.Template:Sfn All F-16s in most European air forces are equipped with drag chutes specifically to allow them to operate from automobile highways.<ref name="kp1">Template:Cite news</ref>
A Yugoslavian MiG-29 was shot down by a Dutch F-16AM during the Kosovo War in 1999.<ref name=Spick_241>Template:Harvnb</ref> Belgian and Danish F-16s also participated in joint operations over Kosovo during the war.<ref name=Spick_241/> Dutch, Belgian, Danish, and Norwegian F-16s were deployed during the 2011 intervention in Libya and in Afghanistan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Libya, Norwegian F-16s dropped almost 550 bombs and flew 596 missions,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> some 17% of the total strike missions<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> including the bombing of Muammar Gaddafi's headquarters.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In late March 2018, Croatia announced its intention to purchase 12 used Israeli F-16C/D "Barak"/"Brakeet" jets, pending U.S. approval.<ref name=croa1>Template:Cite web</ref> Acquiring these F-16s would allow Croatia to retire its aging MiG-21s.<ref name=aatr1>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the end of November 2021, Croatia signed with France instead, for 12 Rafales.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name=atc1>Template:Cite news</ref> A contract was signed on 12 December 2018 in Bratislava.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 6 July 2023, Romania announced that it will host the future training center after the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defense.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A number of Ukrainian pilots began training in Denmark and the U.S.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Ukrainian pilots began training there in September 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Sabbagh2023Guardian">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By the end of July 2024, the first F-16s were delivered to Ukraine.<ref name=Bloomberg>Template:Cite news</ref>
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,".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 26 August 2024, F-16s were reportedly used to intercept Russian cruise missiles for the first time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 13 December 2024, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed an F-16 shot down six Russian cruise missiles. Two were shot down with "medium-range missiles", another two with "short-range missiles" and two were claimed to be downed by the 20 mm cannon.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 12 April 2025, Ukraine stated pilot Pavlo Ivanov was killed in action flying an F-16.<ref name=nw-20250412>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=ki-20250412>Template:Cite news</ref> BBC Ukraine reported that Russia had fired three missiles at the F-16, which was probably flying over the Sumy region, including S-400 ground-to-air and R-37 air-to-air missiles.<ref name=bbc-20250412>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 16 May 2025, Ukraine stated that a third F-16 was lost in air combat at around 3:30 am, during a combat mission where an emergency developed on board, due to a technical malfunction.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The pilot was stated to have steered the aircraft from populated areas before ejecting and was rescued in a stable condition.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Mainardi">Template:Cite web</ref> The 25th plane, an F-16B MLU Block 10, meant for mechanics training, came disassembled in an Argentinian C-130 in late December 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Mainardi"/>
In 2019, the US State Department approved the possible sale of 8 F-16 Block 70s to Bulgaria,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the deal was approved by the Bulgarian parliament, and President Rumen Radev.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="2022-11-05_DN">Adamowski, Jaroslaw. "Bulgarian parliament votes to buy F-16s under $1.3 billion deal". Defense News, 2022-11-05.</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2024, Argentina selected a bid for 24 F-16AM/BM aircraft from Denmark, instead of one from JF-17s from China/Pakistan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The first aircraft, a F-16B, was unveiled in Buenos Aires on 24 February 2025.<ref name="ArgDeliv">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April 2025, the possible sale of 20 F-16s were approved.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2025, multiple news channels reported that Vietnam is finalizing an agreement to purchase at least 24 F-16s, possibly the F-16V variant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.Template:Citation needed
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.<ref name="F-16.net - the ultimate F-16, F-35">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="F-16.net - the ultimate F-16, F-35"/> 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<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
File:190320-F-BU402-0064.jpgAn 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
For the Indian MRCA competition for the Indian Air Force, Lockheed Martin offered the F-16IN Super Viper.<ref>Pandey, Vinay. "F-16 maker Lockheed mounts an India campaign."Times of India, 17 January 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2011.</ref> 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.<ref name="F-16IN page">Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2011, the F-16IN is no longer in the competition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Unreliable source? In 2016, Lockheed Martin offered the new F-16 Block 70/72 version to India under the Make in India program.<ref name="block70/72">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2016, the Indian government offered to purchase 200 (potentially up to 300) fighters in a deal worth $13–15bn.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2017, Lockheed Martin has agreed to manufacture F-16 Block 70 fighters in India with the Indian defense firm Tata Advanced Systems Limited. The new production line could be used to build F-16s for India and for exports.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
F-16IQ
In September 2010, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency informed the United States Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale of 18 F-16IQ aircraft along with the associated equipment and services to the newly reformed Iraqi Air Force. The total value of sale was estimated at Template:US$.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:As of, the Iraqi had lost two in accidents.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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 Template:Nowrap 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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-83active 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> First flight took place 21 October 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Taiwanese media reported that Taiwan and the U.S. both initially invested in the development of the F-16V.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Upgrades to Taiwan's F-16 fleet began in January 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The first country to confirm the purchase of 16 new F-16 Block 70/72 was Bahrain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Slovakia announced on 11 July 2018 that it intends to purchase 14 F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Lockheed Martin has redesignated the F-16V Block 70 as the "F-21" in its offering for India's fighter requirement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Trump administration approved the sale on 20 August 2019.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 14 August 2020, Lockheed Martin was awarded a US$62 billion contract by the US DoD<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> that includes 66 new F-16s at US$8 billion (~$Template:Format price in Template:Inflation/year) for Taiwan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
File:QF-16.JPGUSAF QF-16A, on its first unmanned test flight, over the Gulf of Mexico
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.<ref>Template:YouTube. Retrieved 24 March 2011.</ref>
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 Template:Nowrap 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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The accident and subsequent trial was the subject of the 1992 film Afterburn.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="Fay Observer">Template:Cite web</ref> It has since been known as the "Green Ramp disaster".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 15 September 2003, a USAF 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 Template:Convert above ground level instead of Template:Convert, 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Investigations suggested that the accident was due to an erroneous rudder setting that was caused by loose papers in the cockpit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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 CommanderNoman 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Importance inline
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.
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