The F-16 is a lightweight, multirole fighter capable of air-to-air, CAS, SEAD, interdiction, FAC-A, tactical nuclear delivery, and all-weather strike missions.
The “Viper” makes up approximately 40 percent of the fighter inventory, carries the majority of PGMs in service, and is one of the most maneuverable fighters ever built. The prototype YF-16 first flew Feb. 2, 1974, competing in the USAF Lightweight Fighter competition. After selection, F-16A flew on Dec. 8, 1976, followed by the two-seat F-16B on Aug. 8, 1977. Deliveries began in August 1978, and USAF declared F-16A IOC in October 1980.
F-16C/D deliveries began at Block 25 in 1984, adding the APG-68 radar and AMRAAM missile as well as cockpit, airframe, and avionics improvements. Block 30/32 added the HARM missile and more powerful engines, and Block 40/42 introduced the terrain-following LANTIRN pod and wide-angle HUD for high-speed night/all-weather penetration. These airframes boasted higher takeoff weight and G-limits and an expanded flight envelope starting in 1988.
Block 50/52 was introduced to replace the F-4G in the “Wild Weasel” SEAD-role armed with the HARM missile, longer-range radar, and even higher-performance engines. The F-16 entered combat during Desert Storm in 1991 and scored its first USAF air-to-air kill during Southern Watch on Dec. 27, 1992.
The fleet is now cockpit-standardized with color MFD, modular mission computer, Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting (HMIT), and Link 16. The Operational Flight Program (OFP) continuously updates the F-16’s software, most recently adding JASSM-ER and enhanced AMMRAM.
USAF is reducing the older Block 30-32 fleet to 100 aircraft through FY25 while modernizing late-block aircraft as a low-cost “capacity” fleet to augment fifth-generation fighters. Modernization centers on the new AN/APG-83 AESA radar which was initially fielded to counter cruise missile threats to the homeland.
The rapidly developed Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) leverages AESA to give the F-16 self-defensive capabilities on par with fifth-generation aircraft and entered flight-testing in late 2024. IVEWS is designed to be rapidly upgradable against emerging threats combining EW/active jamming as well as digital RWR and self-defenses into a fully integrated internal suite. Comm upgrades will add Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) secure, jam-resistant BLOS and NATO-interoperable LOS SATURN, while MIDS/JTRS will provide higher capacity, jam-resistant Link 16.
Other efforts include modernizing mission computer and cockpit displays in conjunction with offensive/defensive upgrades, upgrading to Mode 5 IFF and jam-resistant GPS, and modifying early block aircraft with automatic air/ground collision avoidance. Structural life extension will extend 350 airframes beyond 8,000 hours and USAF plans to continue upgrading the F-16 to keep pace with threats through 2040 or beyond.
Two aircraft were lost in accidents last year at Holloman due to undetected engine damage, and at Kunsan involving an electrical malfunction in poor weather. Luke flew its final USAF F-16 training sortie on Feb. 26, 2025, and the service plans to cut a total of 11 F-16s this year. Edwards and the ACC Viper Demonstration Team saluted the 50th anniversary of first flight with YF-16-inspired schemes for the 2024 air show season.
F-16 Fighting Falcon Technical Data
Contractors: Lockheed Martin (previously General Dynamics); Northrop Grumman (AESA/IVEWS).
First Flight: June 19, 1984 (F-16C).
Delivered: July 13, 1984-2005 (F-16C/D).
IOC: 1981 (Block 25-32); 1989 (Block 40/42); 1994 (Block 50/52).
Production: 2,206. (nearly 5,000 for global users).
Inventory: 726 (F-16C); 136 (F-16D).
Operator: ACC, AETC, AFMC, PACAF, USAFE, ANG, AFRC.
Aircraft Location: Aviano AB, Italy; Edwards AFB, Calif.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Eielson AFB, Alaska; Holloman AFB, N.M.; Homestead ARB, Fla.; Kunsan AB, South Korea; Luke AFB, Ariz.; Misawa AB, Japan; NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas; Nellis AFB, Nev.; Osan AB, South Korea; Shaw AFB, S.C.; Spangdahlem AB, Germany; and ANG in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia (flying from Maryland), Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas. Planned: Fort Wayne Arpt., Ind.
Active Variant: •F-16C/D Block 30/32. Multinational Staged Improvement Program II upgraded with new engines, flown by ANG, AFRC, and test/aggressor units. •F-16CG Block 40/42. Optimized for night/all-weather attack. •F-16CJ Block 50/52. Optimized for SEAD with long-range radar, engines, and weapons.
Dimensions: Span 32.8 ft, length 49.3 ft, height 16.7 ft.
Weight: Max T-O 37,500 lb (Block 30/32); 42,300 lb (Block 40/42); 48,000 lb (Block 50/52).
Power Plant: GE Aviation F110-GE-100, 29,000 lb thrust (Block 30); Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220, 24,000 lb thrust (Block 32/42); F110-GE-129, 29,000 lb thrust (Block 50); F100-PW-229, 29,000 lb thrust (upgraded Block 42, Block 52).
Performance: Speed Mach 2+, ferry range 2,002+ miles.
Ceiling: 50,000 ft.
Armament: One M61A1 20 mm cannon (500 rd); up to six AIM-9 Sidewinder or AIM-120 AMRAAMs air-to-air missiles; most air-to-surface weapons in USAF inventory (nuclear and conventional) including JASSM-ER, as well as ECM and advanced targeting pods.
Accommodation: Pilot (C), two pilots (D), on ACES II zero/zero ejection seats.
