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Lockheed-Martin
F-16 Fighting Falcon |
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The F-16 Fighting
Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly
maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and
air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost,
high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied
nations. In designing
the F-16, advanced aerospace science and proven reliable systems
from other aircraft such as the F-15 and F-111 were selected.
These were combined to simplify the airplane and reduce its
size, purchase price, maintenance costs and weight. The light
weight of the fuselage is achieved without reducing its
strength. With a full load of internal fuel, the F-16 can
withstand up to nine G's -- nine times the force of gravity --
which exceeds the capability of other current fighter aircraft.
The F-16A, a single-seat model,
first flew in December 1976. The first operational F-16A was
delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at
Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The F-16B, a two-seat model,
has tandem cockpits that are about the same size as the one in
the A model. Its bubble canopy extends to cover the second
cockpit.
All F-16s
delivered since November 1981 have built-in structural and
wiring provisions and systems architecture that permit expansion
of the multirole flexibility to perform precision strike, night
attack and beyond-visual-range interception missions. This
improvement program led to the F-16C and F-16D aircraft, which
are the single- and two-place counterparts to the F-16A/B, and
incorporate the latest cockpit control and display technology.
All active units and many Air National Guard and Air Force
Reserve units have converted to the F-16C/D.
USAF F-16 multi-mission fighters were
deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation
Desert Storm, where more sorties were flown than with any other
aircraft. These fighters were used to attack airfields, military
production facilities, Scud missiles sites and a variety of
other targets. Most recently in the Spring of 1999 during
Operation Allied Force, USAF F-16 multi-mission fighters flew a
variety of missions to include suppression of enemy air defense,
offensive counter air, defensive counter air, close air support
and forward air controller missions. Mission results were
outstanding as these fighters destroyed radar sites, vehicles,
tanks, MiGs and buildings.
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