The F-16 Fighting Falcon was produced by General Dynamics who became Lockheed who then merged with Martin Marietta to become Lockheed Martin. The F-16 entered service in January 1979 as a multi-role jet fighter that evolved into an all-weather multi-role aircraft capable of sustaining 9-g turns. The F-16 is relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain so the U.S. and 25 other countries added it to their inventory. The Fighting Falcon is referred to by its pilots as the “Viper” and will remain in USAF service until 2025.

F-16C 86-0272 c/n 5C-378 was produced in 1987 and assigned to 64 Aggressor Squadron (AS). In 1988 the aircraft was painted like a MiG-23 with a Bort number 72. In April 1989 the aircraft was the property of the Fighter Weapons School. In October 1993 the aircraft belonged to the 414th Combat Training Squadron "Red Flag" at Nellis AFB and received an Su-27 paint scheme. In October 2003 86-0272 returned to the 64 Aggressor Squadron and 2017 received a paint scheme resembling an Su-34. The Splinter and Shark paint schemes are the latest versions.

General specifications F-16 Fighting Falcon

• Primary Function – Multi-role fighter
• Manufacturer – General Dynamics Corp. / Lockheed Martin Corp.
• Initial Unit cost - F-16C/D, $20 million plus
• First Deployed - January 1979 (F-16A)
• Crew – 1 x F-16C / 1 or 2 x F-16D

Dimensions

• Length - 49 ft, 5 in (14.8 m)
• Height - 16 ft (4.8 m)
• Wingspan - 32 ft, 8 in (9.8 m)

Performance

• Power Plant - F-16C/D 1 x Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229

or

• 1 x General Electric F110-GE-100/129
• Thrust - F-16C/D / 27,000 lb (12,150 kg)
• Speed - 1,500 mph (Mach 2 @ altitude)
• Ceiling - Above 50,000 ft (15 km)
• Maximum Takeoff Weight - 37,500 lb (16,875 kg)
• Range - Greater than 2,425 mi (2,100 nm / 3,900 km)
• Combat Radius F-16C 851.6 mi (1,370 km / 740 nm) w/ 2 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 U.S. gal external tanks 391.3 mi (630 km / 340 nm) w/ 4 x 2,000 lb bombs + 2 x AIM-9 + 340 U.S. gal external tanks 230.2 mi (370 km / 200 nm) + 2 hr. 10 min. patrol w/ 2 x AIM-7 + 2 x AIM-9 + 1,040 lb U.S. gal external tanks

Armament

• 1 x M-61A1 20mm multi-barrel cannon with 500 rounds
• External stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles Conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions Electronic countermeasure pods.

Info: Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon "Shark" 86-0272, 57th Wing, 64th Aggressor Sqn., Nellis AFB, March 2017