A remarkable anniversary in the history of Lockheed Martin’s F-16 programme will be marked on 20 January, exactly 50 years after a prototype of the lightweight fighter got airborne for the first time.
Our recently published extensive report into the milestone tells the story behind General Dynamics test pilot Phil Oestricher’s unscheduled outing from Edwards AFB in the YF-16, the programme’s official first flight on 2 February 1974, and the single-engined type’s evolution into the world’s most widely-flown fighter. Click here to read the full article.
To coincide with the 50th anniversary event, this gallery of images highlights some of the additional notable events, unusual F-16 variants, and leading operators of the US airframer’s evergreen fighter, as it continues to enjoy production success for multiple customers.
Craig Hoyle joined Flight International in 2003, and has edited the now monthly title since 2015. He has reported on the UK, European and international military aviation sector for more than 25 years, and produces our annual World Air Forces directory.View full Profile
The long-stalled deal to provide Turkey with 40 Lockheed Martin F-16V fighters was approved by arms regulators, who simultaneously advanced a proposal to sell 40 F-35A stealth fighters to Greece – orders worth a gargantuan $31.6 billion to Lockheed.
The proposed series of Block II upgrades represents the most significant upgrade to the carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft since 2003, according to Northrop, including a complete technology refresh for the cockpit, mission computer and operations station.
Boeing landed new orders for 63 jets during October and, despite most of its Pacific Northwest factory workers being on strike, still managed to deliver 14 aircraft last month – nine 737 Max single-aisles and five widebodies.
The Shenyang J-15D electronic warfare (EW) jet and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-7 unmanned air vehicle have made their public debuts at the Zhuhai air show.