The F-16 is undoubtedly one of the most important fighter aircraft of this century. It started fairly as a technology demonstrator to see to what degree it would be possible to build a useful fighter that was significantly smaller and cheaper than the F-15 Eagle. The US Air Force termed this the Lightweight Fighter (LWF) programme and it was not initially intended to lead to a production aircraft. Contracts for two prototypes each of the General Dynamics 401 and Northrop P.530 were awarded in April 1972. Interest in the concept from a number of America's Nato allies led to a total revision of the LWF program; It was subsequently announced that the US Air Force would buy 650 of the successful Air Combat Fighter design. In December 1974 the General Dynamics was announced the winner.
The first production F-16A was flown on August 7, 1978.
The first operational F-16A was flown with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at Hill AFB, Utah on January 6, 1979.
Up to dates , over 4,500 F-16s have been delivered to USAF and 25 countries around the globe and deliveries continue.
Official name of the F-16 is "Fighting Falcon" but most pilots prefer to call it the unofficial name, "The Viper".
The F-16s have been around for more than 30 year and, it is still evolving stronger, better and faster with better fire power, powerful engine and electronics..
The latest is F-16E/F-Block 60
F-16 is forever.
Part II : More About The F-16
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