Mission
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-ait combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.
Characteristics
Primary Function: Multirole fighter
Builder: Lockheed Martin Corp.
Power Plant: F-16C/D: one Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229
or General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Length: 49 feet, 5 inches (14.8 meters)
Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters)
Wingspan: 32 feet, 8 inches (9.8 meters)
Speed: 1,500 miles per hour (Mach 2 at altitude)
Armament: One M-61A1 20mm multibarrel cannon with 500 rounds; external stations can
carry up to six air-to-ait missiles, conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions, and electric countermeasure pods.
Range: More than 2,000 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 37,500 pounds (16,875 kilograms)
Crew: F-16C: one; F-16D: one or two
Date Deployed: January 1979
Unit Cost: F-16C/D: $20 million plus
Inventory: Active force = 444; National Guard = 305; Reserve = 60
