Harry Hillaker, 89, a long-time aeronautical engineer with General Dynamics who is considered to be the “father of the F-16,” died Feb. 8 at his home in Fort Worth, Tex. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Feb. 10 that Hillaker led the GD design team that worked, secretively at first, with a group of Pentagon insiders including then-Maj. John Boyd—that later became known as the “fighter mafia”—to mold a collection of ideas, theories, and concepts into what became the F-16, one of the most successful fighter programs in history. Hillaker, born in Flint, Mich., retired from GD in 1985. (For more on Hillaker’s role in the genesis of the F-16, read The Viper Revolution.)
Golden Dome Details Begin to Emerge
Dec. 7, 2025
The Golden Dome air and missile defense shield to protect the United States will have some “operational capability” in 2028, the program’s leader said Dec. 6 at the Reagan National Defense Forum.
