Aircraft Profile: Lockheed Martin F-16

The Lockheed Martin F-16 is the workhorse of many of the West's air forces. Over 4,400 have been produced for 24 countries, making it the most common fighter type in the world.

Originally developed for the US Air Force by General Dynamics, the F-16 entered production in 1976 as a lightweight fighter, but with its all round prowess evolved into a multirole aircraft. Highly manoeuvrable, the Falcon provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance, all-round weapon system for the USA and its allies.

Powered by either a single General Electric F110-100/129 or Pratt & Whitney F100-200/220/229, the F-16 is capable of speeds of up to Mach 2 and has a range of 2,750km (1,740nm). A typical payload comprises two 907kg (2,000lb) bombs, two Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and 1,000gal external fuel tanks.

History

The F-16 was built under an unusual agreement creating a consortium between the USA and four NATO partner countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. These jointly produced with the USA an initial 348 F-16s for their air forces, and final assembly lines were located in Belgium and the Netherlands. The consortium's F-16s were assembled from components manufactured in all five countries. Belgium also provided final assembly of the F100 engine used in the European F-16s.

The first operational F-16A was delivered to the USAF in early 1979, stationed at the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah. The largest export fleets of the type are currently operated by Egypt, Israel, South Korea and Turkey.