F-16 Fighting Falcon
by Staff EditorConsidered by many to be today's best all-around fighter, the F-16 is one of the most popular designs in the world. Though designed as a cheaper counterpart to the F-15, the F-16 is an extremely capable aircraft in its own right, with a fly-by-wire flight control system that earned it the nickname of the Electric Jet. It bubble canopy give pilots the sensation of sitting on the tip of a spear. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will eventually replace the F-16 in U.S. service, but with over 3,500 aircraft delivered to at least 19 nations around the world, the Fighting Falcon will serve well into the 21st Century.
F-16C Specifications:
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed Martin |
| First Flight: | 7/1976 |
| Wingspan: | 32.67 ft. (9.8 m) |
| Height: | 16.0 ft. (4.8 m) |
| Length: | 49.42 ft. (14.8 m) |
| Max Take-off Weight: | 37,500 lbs. (16,875 kg) |
| Thrust: | 27,000 lbs. (120 kN) |
| Top Speed at Altitude: | Mach 2.0 |
| Ceiling: | 50,000+ ft. (15,000 m) |
| Range: | 1,740+ nm (3,310+ km) |
| Crew: | One |
