Light enough to reach twice the speed of sound with a single jet engine, this aircraft has both the strength to carry a complete arsenal of weaponry and the maneuverability to fly rings around most anything else in the sky. This smaller, deadlier plane can turn so abruptly, the G-force can knock the pilot unconscious. To avoid this, it was designed so that the pilot, using specially equipped computer controls, basically flies the F-16 while lying down. Named the "Fighting Falcon" in July of 1980, the F-16 officially attained initial operational capability - combat ready status- with the United States Air Force in October of that year.