What kind of fighter aircraft is the F-16?

What kind of fighter aircraft is the F-16?

For other uses, see F-16 (disambiguation). The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft.

When did General Dynamics stop making the F-16?

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.

When was the last F-16 made in Fort Worth?

Lockheed delivered the last F-16 from Fort Worth to the Iraqi Air Force on 14 November 2017, ending forty years of F-16 production there. The company is hoping to finish the Greenville move and restart production in 2019, though engineering and modernization work will remain in Fort Worth.

What kind of material is the F-16 made of?

The F-16 was designed to be relatively inexpensive to build and simpler to maintain than earlier-generation fighters. The airframe is built with about 80% aviation-grade aluminum alloys, 8% steel, 3% composites, and 1.5% titanium.

Is the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon still in production?

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are being built for export customers.

Is there an international upgrade program for the F-16?

International F-16 upgrade programs combine the requirements of many customers for long-term cost savings through commonality and interoperability. F-16 avionics upgrades can be integrated quickly, affordably and effectively by leveraging on-going Foreign Military Sales (FMS) investments in F-16 modernization.

When was the first F-16 made by General Dynamics?

The FSD F-16s were manufactured by General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas at United States Air Force Plant 4 in late 1975; the first F-16A rolled out on 20 October 1976 and first flew on 8 December. The initial two-seat model achieved its first flight on 8 August 1977.

Is the F-16 painted like a shark?

USAF Aggressor F-16 Freshly Painted In “Shark” Scheme To Mimic Latest Russian Jets The paint job is nearly identical to that worn by some of Russia’s most advanced jets flying over Syria. By Tyler Rogoway March 28, 2017

When was the F-16C LOAN demonstrator tested?

The F-16 Low-Observable Asymmetric Nozzle (LOAN) demonstrator was an F-16C fitted in late 1996 with a prototype nozzle with significantly reduced radar and infrared signatures and lowered maintenance requirements. It was tested in November 1996 to evaluate the technology for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.