What is the F-16 Fighting Falcon used for?

One of the most versatile aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has been the mainstay of the Air Force aerial combat fleet. With over 1,000 F-16s in service, the platform has been adapted to complete a number of missions, including air-to-air fighting, ground attack and electronic warfare.

How many f16s have been built?

Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,600 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976….General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Why are f16s called Vipers?

The F-16’s official name is “Fighting Falcon”, but “Viper” is commonly used by its pilots and crews, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as the Colonial Viper starfighter on Battlestar Galactica which aired at the time the F-16 entered service.

Do F-16 have machine guns?

The F-16 20mm Gun System features the M61A1 six-barrel Gatling gun and a linkless ammunition feed system. The M61A1 provides up to 10 times the reliability of single-barrel guns, firing at 6,000 shots per minute and placing a controlled dispersion of projectiles in the path of the target.

WHY IS F-16 called Viper?

Are F-16s still in production?

Launched on Veterans Day 2019, the line is the only production facility for F-16s in the world, opening three years after the company’s long-time F-16 line in Fort Worth, Texas, wrapped up production. approximately $14 billion, to build 128 F-16s at the facility through 2026.

Who is the manufacturer of the F-16 Fighting Falcon?

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics (its aviation unit is now part of Lockheed Martin) for the United States Air Force (USAF).

How much does a F-16 Phantom 2 weigh?

Weaponry includes a 20-mm rotary cannon as well as attachments under the wings and fuselage for a wide variety of bombs and missiles. With a typical combat load, the F-16 weighs approximately 23,000 pounds (10,000 kg), which is less than half the weight of the previous-generation F-4 Phantom II.

What’s the maximum speed of a F-16 Fighting Falcon?

Specifications (F-16C Block 50 and 52) 1 Maximum speed: Mach 2.05 1,145 kn (1,318 mph; 2,121 km/h) at 40,000 feet, clean Mach 1.2, 800 kn (921 mph; 1,482 km/h) at sea level 2 Combat range: 295 nmi (339 mi, 546 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with 4 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs 3 Ferry range: 2,277 nmi (2,620 mi, 4,217 km) with drop tanks

When did the US Air Force get the F-16?

The F-16 originated in an order placed in 1972 for a lightweight cost-effective air-to-air fighter. Current models are also all-weather capable and effective for ground attack as well. The U.S. Air Force took first delivery in 1978. U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons flying in formation.