History of the F-16 fighter jet

F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role, extremely maneuverable fighter that is suitable for air-to-air combat as well as air-to-surface attacks. It has a combat radius (the distance the jet can fly to combat and return safely) of 500 miles, which is superior to that of other fighter aircraft. The pilot has unobstructed vision both forward and upward through to the bubble canopy. It is a precision attack aircraft and can function in all types of weather.

The F-16 originated when the United States Air Force (USAF) began studies of new high performance, lightweight fighters called the Advanced Day Fighter (ADF) as early as 1965. After several years of debate, Nixon Administration Deputy Defense Secretary David Packard recommended that the government return to competitive prototyping as a method of price containment. Several years later, the Light Weight Fighter (LWF) program, was created under Packard. A request for proposals (RFP) in January 1971 called for a high thrust-to-weight ratio, a gross weight of less than twenty thousand pounds, and high maneuverability.1 The specifications should aim "toward goal of developing a true air superiority lightweight fighter." 2

The LWF selected General Dynamics (YF-16) and Northrop (YF-17) to build prototypes for evaluation. At this stage, there was no contractual or implied commitment for further development or purchase.

Air Force Secretary John McLucas announced that General Dynamic's YF-16 prototype had won the ACF competition in January 1975. Subsequently, the USAF placed an order for fifteen F-16's. In August of 1975, manufacture of the first production F-16 began in Fort Worth, Texas. General Dynamics was required to renovate its plant, which had been built during World War II and had not been modernized since sometime in the 1960's. Both one-seat (F-16A) and two-seat (F-16B) models were produced. The F-16A flew for the first time in December 1976, and the first F-16A was delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. 3

The YF-16 was a low cost production aircraft. Unit cost estimates were 4.7 million dollars per fighter.4 In 1975, NATO was approach about purchasing F-16's for member countries. Based on total production of two thousand fighters for NATO countries, the USAF, and several other countries, the unit price was 5.16 million dollars.5 In May of 1975, the YF-16 made its first transatlantic flight to call on potential NATO customers and put in an appearance at the Paris Air Show. On June 7, 1975, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway agreed to buy F-16's. When the Cold War ended, many Soviet pilots admitted that the F-16 was feared more than any other American fighter

Currently, F-16s make up more than fifty percent of the total number of USAF fighters. This should hold true until 2010, but will certainly continue to be in use until 2020 for the United States and until 2030 or later for other countries with F-16s. The F-16 is a significant part of NATO fighters jets.