The YF-16 went airborne for the first time on January 20th, 1974 and differentiated from the Northrop design by its single-engine approach (the YF-17 utilized two in a side-by-side arrangement). General Dynamics put forth their 'YF-16' against Northrop's 'YF-17' and two prototypes each were allowed under the competition. The field originally included submissions from Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed, LTV and Northrop but this was eventually whittled down to the two major players in General Dynamics and Northrop. The program intended to validate the prospect of a light, single-engine, single-seat fighter form against the norm of heavier, twin-engined designs which proved the call of the day. The F-16 was born from the USAF's LightWeight Fighter (LWF) program emerging in the early 1970s. Additionally, the procurement costs associated with new technology will keep the F-16 a mainstay of foreign air powers for the foreseeable decade and perhaps beyond. However, mounting delays and cost overruns in the program have extended the useful service lives of existing Fourth Generation Fighters like the F-16s for the near future, prompting various modernization programs to be enacted in keep the aircraft flying for years to come. service (and perhaps elsewhere) is expected to be replaced by the highly touted Lockheed F-35 'Lightning II' stealth-minded strike fighter. However, the costs associated with 5th generation types ensure that many 4th generation models will continue flying into the 2030s. As it stands by today's classification conventions, the F-16 is deemed a 'Fourth Generation Fighter' now that the Lockheed F-22 Raptor has officially ushered in the era of the 'Fifth Generation Fighter'. Its multirole nature allows the standard aircraft design to undertake a variety of roles as required and customizability allows each operator to field local weaponry, systems and equipment as needed.ĭespite its given name of 'Fighting Falcon', the F-16 is also recognized under the nickname of 'Viper'. Modernization programs have helped to evolve the F-16 in reaching all-new capabilities over the modern battlefield, allowing the system to retain a viable presence in the increasingly computer-controlled airspaces of today. First flying on January 20th, 1974, the F-16 was formally introduced on August 17th, 1978 and has since seen production reach over 4,500 units with sales to over 25 foreign parties. The General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 'Fighting Falcon' was a product of Cold War-development and introduced along the lines of agility, lightweight classification and controlled costs - a multirole fighter to serve alongside the air superiority-minded McDonnell Douglas F-15 'Eagle'.

F 16b cockpit