View source for General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

{{Short description|American multi-role fighter aircraft}}
{{Redirect2|F16|F-16 Fighting Falcon|the video game|Falcon (series){{!}}''Falcon'' (video game series)|other uses|F16 (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date = July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= F-16 Fighting Falcon
 |image= F-16 June 2008.jpg
 |caption= A USAF F-16C flying over the desert in [[Iraq]], 2008
 |alt= Aerial view of jet aircraft, carrying cylindrical fuel tanks and ordnance, overflying desert
 | type              = [[Multirole combat aircraft|Multirole fighter]], [[air superiority fighter]]
 | national_origin   = United States
 | manufacturer      = {{ubl|[[General Dynamics]] (1974–1993)|[[Lockheed Corporation]] (1993–1995)|[[Lockheed Martin]] (1995–present)}}
 | first_flight      = {{ubl|{{Start date and age|1974|01|20|df=yes}} (unplanned)|{{Start date and age|1974|02|02|df=yes}} (official)}}
 | introduction      = {{Start date and age|1978|08|17|df=yes}}
 | retired           = 
 | status            = In service
 | primary_user      = [[United States Air Force]]<!-- List only ONE (1) user; for military aircraft, this is a nation or a service arm. Please DON'T add those tiny flags, as they limit horizontal space. -->
 | more_users        = 25 other [[#Operators|users]] (see ''[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon operators|operators page]]'')
 | produced          = 1973–2017, 2019–present<ref name=Def1_F-16_line_to_SC/>
 | number_built      = 4,604 (as of June 2018)<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/aviation/article186288298.html |title= How the F-16 fighter jet put Fort Worth on the aerospace map |work= Fort Worth Star-Telegram |access-date= 24 November 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171124152750/http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/aviation/article186288298.html |archive-date= 24 November 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bahrain">{{Cite web |url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2018-06-25-Lockheed-Martin-Awarded-Contract-to-Build-F-16-Block-70-Aircraft-for-Bahrain |title=Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract to Build F-16 Block 70 Aircraft for Bahrain |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022206/https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2018-06-25-Lockheed-Martin-Awarded-Contract-to-Build-F-16-Block-70-Aircraft-for-Bahrain |archive-date=29 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|variants= [[General Dynamics X-62 VISTA]]
 | developed_into    = {{ubl|[[Vought Model 1600]]|[[General Dynamics F-16XL]]|[[Mitsubishi F-2]]}}
}}

The '''General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon''' is an American single-engine [[supersonic]] [[Multirole combat aircraft|multirole]] [[fighter aircraft]] originally developed by [[General Dynamics]] for the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF). Designed as an [[air superiority]] [[day fighter]], it evolved into a successful [[night fighter|all-weather]] multirole aircraft with over 4,600 built since 1976.<ref name="4500-F16_sold">{{cite web |date=2 April 2012 |title=Lockheed Martin to deliver 4,500th F-16 fighter |url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/02/143842/lockheed-martin-to-deliver-4500th.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731002852/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/02/143842/lockheed-martin-to-deliver-4500th.html |archive-date=31 July 2014 |access-date=13 September 2014 |work=McClatchy DC}}</ref> Although no longer purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are being built for export. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the [[Lockheed Corporation]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosenwald |first=Michael S. |title=Downside of Dominance? Popularity of Lockheed Martin's F-16 Makes Its F-35 Stealth Jet a Tough Sell. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/16/AR2007121601522.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014055458/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/16/AR2007121601522.html |archive-date=14 October 2017 |date=17 December 2007 |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=11 July 2008}}</ref> which became part of [[Lockheed Martin]] after a 1995 merger with [[Martin Marietta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Lockheed-Martin-Corporation-Company-History.html |title=Company Histories – Lockheed Martin Corporation|work=Funding universe|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417221322/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Lockheed-Martin-Corporation-Company-History.html|archive-date=17 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

The F-16's key features include a frameless [[bubble canopy]] for enhanced cockpit visibility, a [[side-stick|side-mounted control stick]] to ease control while maneuvering, an [[ejection seat]] reclined 30 degrees from vertical to reduce the effect of [[g-force]]s on the pilot, and the first use of a [[relaxed stability|relaxed static stability]]/[[fly-by-wire]] flight control system that helps to make it an agile aircraft. The fighter has a single turbofan engine, an internal [[M61 Vulcan]] cannon and 11 [[hardpoint]]s. Although officially named "Fighting Falcon", the aircraft is more commonly known by the nickname "Viper".{{sfn|Peacock|1997|p=100}}

In addition to active duty in the U.S. Air Force, [[Air Force Reserve Command]], and [[Air National Guard]] units, the aircraft is also used by the [[U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds]] aerial demonstration team, the US Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team,<ref>{{cite web |author1=Air Combat Command Public Affairs Staff |title=Meet the 2023 Air Combat Command Demonstration Team Pilots |url=https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3328261/meet-the-2023-air-combat-command-demonstration-team-pilots/ |website=acc.af.mil |publisher=US Air Combat Command |access-date=29 May 2023 |date=14 Mar 2023}}</ref> and as an adversary/aggressor aircraft by the [[United States Navy]]. The F-16 has also been procured by the air forces of 25 other nations.<ref name="LM Morocco Sale">{{cite web |last1=Stout |first1=Joe |last2=Quincy |first2=Laurie |title=United States Government Awards Lockheed Martin Contract to Begin Production of Advanced F-16 Aircraft for Morocco |url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2008-06-06-United-States-Government-Awards-Lockheed-Martin-Contract-to-Begin-Production-of-Advanced-F-16-Aircraft-for-Morocco |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104091800/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2008/060608ae_f16morocco.html |archive-date=4 January 2009 |website=Media – Lockheed Martin |publisher=Lockheed Martin Corporation |type=Press release |date=8 June 2008 |access-date=11 July 2008}}</ref> As of 2024, it is the world's most common [[fixed-wing aircraft]] in military service, with 2,145 F-16s operational.<ref>2024 World Air Forces, ''Flight Global'', p. 10.</ref>

==Development==
===Lightweight Fighter program===
{{main|Lightweight Fighter program}}

US [[Vietnam War]] experience showed the need for [[Air supremacy|air superiority]] fighters and better air-to-air training for fighter pilots.{{sfn|Spick|2000|p=190}} Based on his experience in the [[Korean War]] and as a fighter tactics instructor in the early 1960s, Colonel [[John Boyd (military strategist)|John Boyd]] with mathematician [[Thomas P. Christie|Thomas Christie]] developed the [[energy–maneuverability theory]] to model a fighter aircraft's performance in combat. Boyd's work called for a small, lightweight aircraft that could maneuver with the minimum possible energy loss and which also incorporated an increased [[thrust-to-weight ratio]].<ref name="Hillaker-Boyd">{{cite web |last1=Hillaker |first1=Harry |url=https://www.codeonemagazine.com/f16_article.html?item_id=156 |title=John Boyd, USAF Retired, Father of the F-16. |access-date=7 June 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601193605/http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/1997/articles/jul_97/july2a_97.html |archive-date=1 June 2009 |publisher=Code One: An Airpower Projection Magazine |date=April 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hehs |first1=Eric |title=F-16 Designer Harry Hillaker |url=http://www.codeonemagazine.com/article.html?item_id=37 |website=www.codeonemagazine.com |publisher=Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company |access-date=25 April 2023 |language=en-us |date=15 April 1991}}</ref> In the late 1960s, Boyd gathered a group of like-minded innovators who became known as the [[Fighter Mafia]], and in 1969, they secured [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] funding for General Dynamics and Northrop to study design concepts based on the theory.{{sfn|Richardson|1990|pp=7–8}}{{sfn|Coram|2002|pp=245–246}}

Air Force F-X proponents were opposed to the concept because they perceived it as a threat to the [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15]] program, but the USAF's leadership understood that its budget would not allow it to purchase enough F-15 aircraft to satisfy all of its missions.<ref name="bjorkman 2014">{{cite web |last1=Bjorkman |first1=Eileen |title=The Outrageous Adolescence of the F-16 |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/outrageous-adolescence-f-16-180949491/ |date=March 2014 |publisher=Smithsonian Magazine |work=Air & Space Magazine}}</ref> The Advanced Day Fighter concept, renamed ''F-XX'', gained civilian political support under the reform-minded Deputy Secretary of Defense [[David Packard]], who favored the idea of competitive [[prototype|prototyping]]. As a result, in May 1971, the Air Force Prototype Study Group was established, with Boyd a key member, and two of its six proposals would be funded, one being the [[Lightweight Fighter program|Lightweight Fighter]] (LWF). The [[request for proposal]]s issued on 6 January 1972 called for a {{convert|20000|lb|kg|sigfig =2|adj =mid}} class air-to-air day fighter with a good turn rate, acceleration, and range, and optimized for combat at speeds of {{nowrap|Mach 0.6–1.6}} and altitudes of {{convert|30000|–|40000|ft|sigfig=2}}. This was the region where USAF studies predicted most future air combat would occur. The anticipated average flyaway cost of a production version was {{nowrap|$3 million}}. This production plan was hypothetical as the USAF had no firm plans to procure the winner.{{sfn|Peacock|1997|pp=9–10}}{{sfn|Richardson|1990|pp=7–9}}

====Selection of finalists and flyoff====
[[File:YF-16 and YF-17 in flight.jpg|thumb|A right-side view of a YF-16 (foreground) and a [[Northrop YF-17]], each armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles|alt=Two jet aircraft flying together over mountain range and cloud]]

Five companies responded, and in 1972, the Air Staff selected General Dynamics' Model 401 and Northrop's P-600 for the follow-on prototype development and testing phase. GD and Northrop were awarded contracts worth {{nowrap|$37.9 million}} and {{nowrap|$39.8 million}} to produce the YF-16 and [[Northrop YF-17|YF-17]], respectively, with the first flights of both prototypes planned for early 1974. To overcome resistance in the Air Force hierarchy, the Fighter Mafia and other LWF proponents{{which|date=December 2021}} successfully advocated the idea of complementary fighters in a high-cost/low-cost force mix.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://warontherocks.com/2017/01/re-thinking-the-high-low-mix-part-i-origins-story/ |title=Re-Thinking the High-Low Mix, Part I: Origins Story |date=25 January 2017 }}</ref> The "high/low mix" would allow the USAF to be able to afford sufficient fighters for its overall fighter force structure requirements. The mix gained broad acceptance by the time of the prototypes' fly-off, defining the relationship between the LWF and the F-15.{{sfn|Peacock|1997|pp=10–11}}{{sfn|Richardson|1990|pp=8–9}}

The YF-16 was developed by a team of General Dynamics engineers led by [[Robert H. Widmer]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Douglas |first1=Martin |title=Robert H. Widmer, Designer of Military Aircraft, Dies at 95. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/business/03widmer.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228092722/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/business/03widmer.html?_r=1&ref=deathsobituaries |archive-date=28 December 2016 |date=2 July 2011}}</ref> The first YF-16 was rolled out on 13 December 1973. Its 90-minute [[maiden flight]] was made at the Air Force Flight Test Center at [[Edwards AFB]], California, on 2 February 1974. Its actual first flight occurred accidentally during a high-speed taxi test on 20 January 1974. While gathering speed, a roll-control oscillation caused a fin of the port-side wingtip-mounted missile and then the starboard [[stabilator]] to scrape the ground, and the aircraft then began to veer off the runway. The test pilot, [[Phil Oestricher]], decided to lift off to avoid a potential crash, safely landing six minutes later. The slight damage was quickly repaired and the official first flight occurred on time.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a30645599/f-16-first-flight/ |last=Mizokami |first=Kyle |title=That Time When the F-16 Accidentally Had Its First Flight |date=23 January 2020 |magazine=[[Popular Mechanics]] |access-date=31 July 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803011108/https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a30645599/f-16-first-flight/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The YF-16's first supersonic flight was accomplished on 5 February 1974, and the second YF-16 prototype first flew on 9 May 1974. This was followed by the first flights of Northrop's YF-17 prototypes on 9 June and 21 August 1974, respectively. During the fly-off, the YF-16s completed 330 [[sorties]] for a total of 417 flight hours;{{sfn|Richardson|1990|pp=12–13}} the YF-17s flew 288 sorties, covering 345 hours.{{sfn|Jenkins|2000|p=14}}

===Air Combat Fighter competition===
Increased interest turned the LWF into a serious acquisition program. [[NATO]] allies Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway were seeking to replace their [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter|F-104G Starfighter]] [[fighter-bomber]]s.<ref>Osborne, Phil, Executive Producer. "F-16 Fighting Falcon" (video #9-315842-037444). ''Magna Pacific'', 2009. Quote: At 17:29, "Another development, which both manufacturers were aware of, was the aging F-104 Starfighters, which equip several European NATO air forces, would soon need to be replaced."</ref> In early 1974, they reached an agreement with the U.S. that if the USAF ordered the LWF winner, they would consider ordering it as well. The USAF also needed to replace its [[Republic F-105 Thunderchief|F-105 Thunderchief]] and [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom II]] fighter-bombers. The U.S. Congress sought greater commonality in fighter procurements by the Air Force and Navy, and in August 1974 redirected Navy funds to a new Navy Air Combat Fighter program that would be a naval fighter-bomber variant of the LWF. The four NATO allies had formed the Multinational Fighter Program Group (MFPG) and pressed for a U.S. decision by December 1974; thus, the USAF accelerated testing.{{sfn|Jenkins|2000|pp=14–15, 19–20}}<ref name=Richardson_p14/><ref name=Peacock_p12-3/>

[[File:YF-16 VASC.JPG|thumb|YF-16 on display at the [[Virginia Air and Space Center]]]]
To reflect this serious intent to procure a new fighter-bomber, the LWF program was rolled into a new Air Combat Fighter (ACF) competition in an announcement by [[United States Secretary of Defense|U.S. Secretary of Defense]] [[James R. Schlesinger]] in April 1974. The ACF would not be a pure fighter, but [[Multirole combat aircraft|multirole]], and Schlesinger made it clear that any ACF order would be in addition to the F-15, which extinguished opposition to the LWF.<ref name=Richardson_p14>Richardson 1990, p. 14.</ref><ref name=Peacock_p12-3>Peacock 1997, pp. 12–13.</ref><ref name="f-16.net">{{cite web |title=YF-16 The Birth of a Fighter|url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article25.html|website=f-16.net|access-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709010820/http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article25.html|archive-date=9 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ACF also raised the stakes for GD and Northrop because it brought in competitors intent on securing what was touted at the time as "the arms deal of the century".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dörfer |first1=Ingemar |title=Arms Deal: The Selling of the F-16 |date=June 1983 |publisher=Praeger |access-date=23 April 2011 |url=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/37508/andrew-j-pierre/arms-deal-the-selling-of-the-f-16 |isbn=9780030623691}}</ref> These were [[Dassault Aviation|Dassault-Breguet's]] proposed [[Dassault Mirage F1|Mirage F1M-53]], the Anglo-French [[SEPECAT Jaguar]], and the proposed [[Saab 37 Viggen|Saab 37E "Eurofighter"]]. Northrop offered the P-530 Cobra, which was similar to the YF-17. The Jaguar and Cobra were dropped by the MFPG early on, leaving two European and two U.S. candidates. On 11 September 1974, the U.S. Air Force confirmed plans to order the winning ACF design to equip five tactical fighter wings. Though computer modeling predicted a close contest, the YF-16 proved significantly quicker going from one maneuver to the next and was the unanimous choice of those pilots that flew both aircraft.{{sfn|Coram|2002|p=305}}

On 13 January 1975, [[Secretary of the Air Force]] [[John L. McLucas]] announced the YF-16 as the winner of the ACF competition.{{sfn|Peacock|1997|pp=13–16}} The chief reasons given by the secretary were the YF-16's lower operating costs, greater range, and maneuver performance that was "significantly better" than that of the YF-17, especially at supersonic speeds. Another advantage of the YF-16 – unlike the YF-17 – was its use of the [[Pratt & Whitney F100]] turbofan engine, the same [[aircraft engine|powerplant]] used by the F-15; such commonality would lower the cost of engines for both programs.{{sfn|Richardson|1990|p=13}} Secretary McLucas announced that the USAF planned to order at least 650, possibly up to 1,400 production F-16s. In the Navy Air Combat Fighter competition, on 2 May 1975, the Navy selected the YF-17 as the basis for what would become the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]].{{sfn|Peacock|1997|pp=14, 17–19, 33–34}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Donald |first1=David |title=Warplanes of the Fleet |location=[[London]] |publisher=AIRtime |date=2005 |isbn=9781880588819 |chapter=Boeing F/A-18 Hornet}}</ref>

===Production===
[[File:F-16C Fighting Falcon.JPEG|thumb|left|upright|An F-16C of the [[Colorado Air National Guard]] with [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] missiles, an [[Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation]] pod, and a centerline fuel tank ({{convert|300|USgal|L|abbr=on|disp=or}} capacity)|alt=Upright aerial photo of gray jet aircraft flying above clouds]]

The U.S. Air Force initially ordered 15 full-scale development (FSD) aircraft (11 single-seat and four two-seat models) for its flight test program which was reduced to eight (six F-16A single-seaters and two F-16B two-seaters).<ref name=Darling_p17>{{harvnb|Darling|2003|p=17}}</ref> The YF-16 design was altered for the production F-16. The fuselage was lengthened by {{convert|10.6|in|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}, a larger nose radome was fitted for the [[AN/APG-66]] radar, wing area was increased from {{convert|280|to|300|sqft|m2|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}, the tailfin height was decreased, the ventral fins were enlarged, two more stores stations were added, and a single door replaced the original nosewheel double doors. The F-16's weight was increased by 25% over the YF-16 by these modifications.{{sfn|Peacock|1997|pp=31–32}}{{sfn|Spick|2000|p=196}}

The FSD F-16s were manufactured by General Dynamics in [[Fort Worth, Texas]], at [[United States Air Force Plant 4]] in late 1975; the first F-16A rolled out on 20 October 1976 and first flew on 8 December. The initial two-seat model achieved its first flight on 8 August 1977. The initial production-standard F-16A flew for the first time on 7 August 1978 and its delivery was accepted by the USAF on 6 January 1979. The aircraft entered USAF operational service with the [[34th Tactical Fighter Squadron]], [[388th Tactical Fighter Wing]], at [[Hill AFB]] in Utah, on 1 October 1980.{{sfn|Peacock|1997|pp=17–19, 33–34}}

The F-16 was given its name of "Fighting Falcon" on 21 July 1980. Its pilots and crews often use the name "Viper" instead, because of a perceived resemblance to a [[Viperidae|viper]] snake as well as to the fictional Colonial Viper [[Starfighter (science fiction)|starfighter]] from the television program ''[[Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]'', which aired at the time the F-16 entered service.<ref name="EyeoftheViper xxii">{{harvnb|Aleshire|2004|p=xxii}}</ref>{{sfn|Peacock|1997|p=100}}

On 7 June 1975, the four European partners, now known as the [[List of F-16 Fighting Falcon operators#Original NATO partners|European Participation Group]], signed up for 348 aircraft at the [[Paris Air Show]]. This was split among the European Participation Air Forces (EPAF) as 116 for Belgium, 58 for Denmark, 102 for the Netherlands, and 72 for Norway. Two European production lines, one in the Netherlands at [[Fokker]]'s Schiphol-Oost facility and the other at [[Société Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques|SABCA's]] [[Brussels South Charleroi Airport|Gosselies]] plant in Belgium, would produce 184 and 164 units respectively. Norway's [[Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace|Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk]] and Denmark's [[Terma A/S]] also manufactured parts and subassemblies for EPAF aircraft. European co-production was officially launched on 1 July 1977 at the Fokker factory. Beginning in November 1977, Fokker-produced components were sent to Fort Worth for fuselage assembly, then shipped back to Europe for final assembly of EPAF aircraft at the Belgian plant on 15 February 1978; deliveries to the [[Belgian Air Force]] began in January 1979. The first [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] aircraft was delivered in June 1979. In 1980, the first aircraft were delivered to the [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] by Fokker and to the [[Royal Danish Air Force]] by SABCA.{{sfn|Peacock|1997|pp=14–16, 21}}{{sfn|Richardson|1990|pp=13–15}}

During the late 1980s and 1990s, [[Turkish Aerospace Industries]] (TAI) produced 232 [[Block Number (aircraft)|Block]] 30/40/50 F-16s on a production line in Ankara [[Licensed production|under license]] for the [[Turkish Air Force]]. TAI also produced 46 Block 40s for Egypt in the mid-1990s and 30 Block 50s from 2010 onwards. [[Korean Aerospace Industries]] opened a production line for the KF-16 program, producing 140 Block 52s from the mid-1990s to mid-2000s (decade). If India had selected the F-16IN for its [[Indian MRCA Competition|Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft]] procurement, a sixth F-16 production line would have been built in India.<ref name="JAWA">{{cite book |editor-last1=Jackson |editor-first1=Paul |editor-last2=Munson |editor-first2=Kenneth |editor-last3=Peacock |editor-first3=Lindsay |title=[[Jane's All the World's Aircraft]] |chapter=Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon |url= |date=1 January 2008 |publisher=Jane's |isbn=9780710628374}}</ref> In May 2013, Lockheed Martin stated there were currently enough orders to keep producing the F-16 until 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fuquay |first1=Jim |title=Iraq to buy 18 more Lockheed F-16 fighters |url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/05/01/4818637/iraq-to-buy-18-more-lockheed-f.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213001614/http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/05/01/4818637/iraq-to-buy-18-more-lockheed-f.html |archive-date=13 December 2013 |date=1 May 2013 |publisher=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]}}</ref>

===Improvements and upgrades===
One change made during production was augmented pitch control to avoid [[deep stall]] conditions at high angles of attack. The stall issue had been raised during development but had originally been discounted. Model tests of the YF-16 conducted by the [[Langley Research Center]] revealed a potential problem, but no other laboratory was able to duplicate it. YF-16 flight tests were not sufficient to expose the issue; later flight testing on the FSD aircraft demonstrated a real concern. In response, the area of each horizontal stabilizer was increased by 25% on the Block 15 aircraft in 1981 and later retrofitted to earlier aircraft. In addition, a manual override switch to disable the horizontal stabilizer flight limiter was prominently placed on the control console, allowing the pilot to regain control of the horizontal stabilizers (which the flight limiters otherwise lock in place) and recover. Besides reducing the risk of deep stalls, the larger horizontal tail also improved stability and permitted faster takeoff rotation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chambers |first1=Joseph R. |title=Partners in Freedom: Contributions of the Langley Research Center to U.S. Military Aircraft of the 1990s |chapter=Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon: Curing Deep Stall |location=Washington, DC |date=1 October 2000 |publisher=[[NASA]] |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20000115606 |id=20000115606 |access-date=22 June 2008}}</ref><ref name="Darling_p56">{{harvnb|Darling|2003|p=56}}</ref>

In the 1980s, the Multinational Staged Improvement Program (MSIP) was conducted to evolve the F-16's capabilities, mitigate risks during technology development, and ensure the aircraft's worth. The program upgraded the F-16 in three stages. The MSIP process permitted the quick introduction of new capabilities, at lower costs and with reduced risks compared to traditional independent upgrade programs.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Camm |first1=Frank |title=The F-16 Multinational Staged Improvement Program: A Case Study of Risk Assessment and Risk Management |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA281706 |id=ADA281706 |date=1993 |publisher=[[RAND Corporation]] |access-date=2 June 2008}}</ref> In 2012, the USAF had allocated $2.8&nbsp;billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=2800000000|start_year=2012}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) to upgrade 350 F-16s while waiting for the F-35 to enter service.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wolf |first1=Jim |title=U.S. plans $2.8 billion upgrade of F-16 fighter |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-exclusive-usa-fighters-lockheedmartin-idUSTRE81200H20120203 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002034719/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/03/us-exclusive-usa-fighters-lockheedmartin-idUSTRE81200H20120203 |archive-date=2 October 2015 |publisher=Reuters |date=2 February 2012}}</ref> One key upgrade has been an auto-GCAS ([[Airborne collision avoidance system|Ground collision avoidance system]]) to reduce instances of [[controlled flight into terrain]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/savings-in-aircraft-losses-swing-the-argument-in-favour-of-auto-gcas-390499/ |title=Savings in aircraft losses swing the argument in favour of auto-GCAS |website=FlightGlobal |date=13 September 2013 |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917113257/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/savings-in-aircraft-losses-swing-the-argument-in-favour-of-auto-gcas-390499/ |archive-date=17 September 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Onboard power and cooling capacities limit the scope of upgrades, which often involve the addition of more power-hungry avionics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dod-clears-aesa-export-policy-as-f-16-sales-await-322016/ |title=DoD clears AESA export policy as F-16 sales await |publisher=Reed Business Information Limited |date=4 February 2009 |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324015154/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dod-clears-aesa-export-policy-as-f-16-sales-await-322016/ |archive-date=24 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Lockheed won many contracts to upgrade foreign operators' F-16s. BAE Systems also offers various F-16 upgrades, receiving orders from South Korea, Oman, Turkey, and the US Air National Guard;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_08_06_2012_p38-482308.xml |title=BAE Wins Korean F-16 Upgrade Contract.|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203093654/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=%2Farticle-xml%2FAW_08_06_2012_p38-482308.xml|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baesystems.com/article/BAES_156496/continuing-to-provide-critical-f-16-support-equipment-to-oman?_afrLoop=451838504148000&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=wstagqwl5_1 |title=Continuing to Provide Critical F-16 Support Equipment to Oman. |access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013204748/http://www.baesystems.com/article/BAES_156496/continuing-to-provide-critical-f-16-support-equipment-to-oman?_afrLoop=451838504148000&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=wstagqwl5_1|archive-date=13 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2013/08/12/bae-systems-growing-steadily-in-defense-services-by-beating-incumbents |title=BAE Systems Growing Steadily in Defense Services By Beating Incumbents.|date=12 August 2013 |work=Forbes |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022035924/http://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2013/08/12/bae-systems-growing-steadily-in-defense-services-by-beating-incumbents/ |archive-date=22 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> BAE lost the South Korean contract because of a price breach in November 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/south-korea-kills-bae-systems-f-16-upgrade-programme-405695/ |title=South Korea kills BAE Systems F-16 upgrade programme |last1=Waldron |first1=Greg |date=6 November 2014 |work=[[FlightGlobal]] |access-date=6 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106134751/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/south-korea-kills-bae-systems-f-16-upgrade-programme-405695/ |archive-date=6 November 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, the USAF assigned the total upgrade contract to Lockheed Martin.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Majumdar |first1=Dave |title=US Air Force changes acquisitions strategy for F-16 radar modernization |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/us-air-force-changes-acquisitions-strategy-for-f-16-radar-modernization/107410.article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015042333/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-air-force-changes-acquisitions-strategy-for-f-16-radar-modernization-377627/ |archive-date=15 October 2012 |date=12 October 2012 |work=[[FlightGlobal]]}}</ref> Upgrades include Raytheon's Center Display Unit, which replaces several analog flight instruments with a single digital display.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://defense-update.com/20130314_new-mega-display-cleared-for-f-16s-primary-flight-reference.html |title=New Mega Display Cleared for F-16s' Primary Flight Reference|website=defense-update.com|date=14 March 2013|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819141422/http://defense-update.com/20130314_new-mega-display-cleared-for-f-16s-primary-flight-reference.html|archive-date=19 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, [[budget sequestration in 2013|sequestration budget cuts]] cast doubt on the USAF's ability to complete the Combat Avionics Programmed Extension Suite (CAPES), a part of secondary programs such as Taiwan's F-16 upgrade.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130919/DEFREG02/309190013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130920190805/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130919/DEFREG02/309190013 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 September 2013 |title=US Budget Woes Could Affect Taiwan F-16 Upgrades |last1=Minnick |first1=Wendell |date=19 September 2013 |website=defensenews.com |publisher=Gannett Government Media Corporation |access-date=19 September 2013}}</ref> [[Air Combat Command]]'s General [[Gilmary M. Hostage III|Mike Hostage]] stated that if he only had money for a service life extension program (SLEP) or CAPES, he would fund SLEP to keep the aircraft flying.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140202/DEFREG02/302020016/Unfunded-F-16-Upgrades-Put-Jet-s-Combat-Value-Doubt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140202193215/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140202/DEFREG02/302020016/Unfunded-F-16-Upgrades-Put-Jet-s-Combat-Value-Doubt |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2014 |title=Unfunded F-16 Upgrades Put Jet's Combat Value in Doubt |last1=MINNICK |first1=WENDELL |last2=MEHTA |first2=AARON |date=2 February 2014 |work= Defense News |publisher=Gannett Government Media |access-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> Lockheed Martin responded to talk of CAPES cancellation with a fixed-price upgrade package for foreign users.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-lockheed-offers-fixed-price-f-16-upgrade-395824/ |title=SINGAPORE: Lockheed offers fixed-price F-16 upgrade |last1=Waldron |first1=Greg |date=11 February 2014 |work=FlightGlobal |access-date=11 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222045021/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-lockheed-offers-fixed-price-f-16-upgrade-395824/ |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> CAPES was not included in the Pentagon's 2015 budget request.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140308/DEFREG03/303080020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140308222159/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140308/DEFREG03/303080020 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 March 2014 |title=Taiwan Faces Tough Choices After US Cancels F-16 Upgrade |last1=MINNICK |first1=WENDELL |last2=MEHTA |first2=AARON |date=8 March 2014 |website=defensenews.com |publisher=Gannett Government Media |access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> The USAF said that the upgrade package will still be offered to Taiwan's [[Republic of China Air Force]], and Lockheed said that some common elements with the F-35 will keep the radar's unit costs down.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140319/DEFREG/303190036/USAF-Taiwan-Will-Still-Receive-F-16-Radar-Upgrades |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140321120915/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140319/DEFREG/303190036/USAF-Taiwan-Will-Still-Receive-F-16-Radar-Upgrades |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 March 2014 |title=USAF: Taiwan Will Still Receive F-16 Radar Upgrades |last1=MEHTA |first1=AARON |date=19 March 2014 |website=defensenews.com |publisher=Gannett Government Media |access-date=20 March 2014}}</ref> In 2014, the USAF issued a RFI to SLEP 300 F-16 C/Ds.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-air-force-moves-ahead-with-f-16-service-life-extension-404528/ |title=US Air Force moves ahead with F-16 service life extension |last1=Parsons |first1=Dan |date=9 October 2014 |website=FlightGlobal |access-date=9 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011122955/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-air-force-moves-ahead-with-f-16-service-life-extension-404528/ |archive-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Production relocation===
To make more room for assembly of its newer [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35 Lightning II]] fighter aircraft, Lockheed Martin moved the F-16 production from Fort Worth, Texas to its plant in [[Greenville, South Carolina]].<ref name="Def1_F-16_line_to_SC">{{cite news |last1= Weisgerber |first1= Marcus |title= Lockheed to Move F-16 Production to South Carolina |url= https://www.defenseone.com/business/2017/03/lockheed-move-f-16-production-line-south-carolina/136365/ |access-date= 28 June 2018 |work= Defense One |date= 22 March 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111521/https://www.defenseone.com/business/2017/03/lockheed-move-f-16-production-line-south-carolina/136365/ |archive-date= 22 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Lockheed delivered the last F-16 from Fort Worth to the [[Iraqi Air Force]] on 14 November 2017, ending 40 years of F-16 production there. The company resumed production in 2019, though engineering and modernization work will remain in Fort Worth.<ref name="Star Telegram F-16 Retrospective">{{cite news |last1= Baker |first1= Max |title= How the F-16 fighter jet put Fort Worth on the aerospace map |url= https://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/aviation/article186288298.html |access-date= 28 June 2018 |work= [[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |date= 24 November 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180629022341/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/aviation/article186288298.html |archive-date= 29 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> A gap in orders made it possible to stop production during the move; after completing orders for the last Iraqi purchase,<ref name="Star Telegram F-16 to SC Announced">{{cite news |last1= Baker |first1= Max |title= Lockheed Martin to shift F-16 production line to South Carolina |url= https://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article140090128.html |access-date= 28 June 2018 |work= [[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |date= 22 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180629050031/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article140090128.html |archive-date= 29 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> the company was negotiating an F-16 sale to [[Bahrain]] that would be produced in Greenville. This contract was signed in June 2018,<ref name="bahrain" /> and the first planes rolled off the Greenville line in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aviationweek.com/shownews/paris-air-show/lockheed-martin-rolls-out-second-f-16-bahrain |title=Lockheed Martin Rolls Out Second F-16 for Bahrain |last=Everstine |first=Brian |date=2023-06-21 |publisher=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]] |access-date=2023-06-28}}</ref>

==Design==

===Overview===
{{multiple image
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|footer    = Comparison between F-16's inset cannon; early aircraft had four leading vents, a grille, and four trailing vents, while later aircraft had only two trailing vents
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The F-16 is a single-engine, highly maneuverable, supersonic, multirole tactical fighter aircraft. It is much smaller and lighter than its predecessors but uses advanced [[aerodynamics]] and avionics, including the first use of a [[relaxed stability|relaxed static stability]]/[[Aircraft flight control system#Fly-by-wire control systems|fly-by-wire]] (RSS/FBW) flight control system, to achieve enhanced maneuver performance. Highly agile, the F-16 was the first fighter aircraft purpose-built to pull 9-''g'' maneuvers and can reach a maximum speed of over [[Mach number|Mach]] 2. Innovations include a frameless [[bubble canopy]] for better visibility, a side-mounted control stick, and a reclined seat to reduce [[g-force]] effects on the pilot. It is armed with an internal 20&nbsp;mm M61 Vulcan [[Cannon#Autocannon|cannon]] in the left wing root and has multiple locations for mounting various missiles, bombs and pods. It has a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one, providing power to climb and vertical acceleration.<ref name=AF_fact_sh>{{cite web |url=http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104505/f-16-fighting-falcon.aspx |title=F-16 Fact Sheet |publisher=U.S. Air Force |date=23 September 2015 |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129162437/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104505/f-16-fighting-falcon.aspx |archive-date=29 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The F-16 was designed to be relatively inexpensive to build and simpler to maintain than earlier-generation fighters. The airframe is built with about 80% aviation-grade [[aluminum alloy]]s, 8% steel, 3% composites, and 1.5% [[titanium]]. The leading-edge flaps, stabilators, and ventral fins make use of bonded aluminum [[honeycomb structure]]s and [[Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer|graphite epoxy]] [[lamination]] [[Skin (aeronautics)|coatings]]. The number of lubrication points, fuel line connections, and [[line-replaceable unit|replaceable modules]] is significantly less than in preceding fighters; 80% of the access panels can be accessed without stands.<ref name="JAWA"/> The air intake was placed so it was rearward of the nose but forward enough to minimize air flow losses and reduce [[aerodynamic drag]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hillaker |first1=Harry |title=Technology and the F-16 Fighting Falcon Jet Fighter |date=1 March 2004 |url=https://www.nae.edu/Publications/TheBridge/Archives/V34-1CentennialofAviation/TechnologyandtheF-16FightingFalconJetFighter.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528045925/http://www.nae.edu/Publications/TheBridge/Archives/V34-1CentennialofAviation/TechnologyandtheF-16FightingFalconJetFighter.aspx |archive-date=28 May 2010 |website=nae.edu |publisher=[[National Academy of Engineering]] |access-date=25 October 2009}}</ref>

Although the LWF program called for a structural life of 4,000 flight hours, capable of achieving {{nowrap|7.33 ''g''}} with 80% internal fuel; GD's engineers decided to design the F-16's airframe life for 8,000 hours and for {{nowrap|9-''g''}} maneuvers on full internal fuel. This proved advantageous when the aircraft's mission changed from solely air-to-air combat to multirole operations. Changes in operational use and additional systems have increased weight, necessitating multiple structural strengthening programs.<ref name="Richardson 1990, p. 10">{{harvnb|Richardson|1990|p=10}}</ref>

===General configuration===
[[File:F-16 CJ Fighting Falcon.jpg|thumb|left|F-16CJ of the [[20th Fighter Wing]] from [[Shaw AFB]], [[South Carolina]], armed with a mix of [[air-to-air missile]]s, [[anti-radiation missile]]s, external fuel tanks and support equipment|alt=Jet heavily armed with weapons under wings taking off.]]

The F-16 has a cropped-[[delta wing]] incorporating [[blended wing body|wing-fuselage blending]] and forebody [[vortex]]-control [[Strake (aviation)|strakes]]; a fixed-geometry, underslung air intake (with [[Splitter plate (aeronautics)|splitter plate]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ibrahim |first1=I.H. |last2=Ng |first2=E.Y.K. |last3=Wong|first3=K. |title=Flight Maneuverability Characteristics of the F-16 CFD and Correlation with its Intake Total Pressure Recovery and Distortion |journal=Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics |date=19 November 2014 |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=223–234 |doi=10.1080/19942060.2011.11015366 |s2cid=124964283| issn = 1994-2060 }}</ref>) to the single turbofan jet engine; a conventional tri-plane [[empennage]] arrangement with all-moving horizontal "stabilator" tailplanes; a pair of ventral fins beneath the fuselage aft of the wing's trailing edge; and a tricycle [[landing gear]] configuration with the aft-retracting, steerable nose gear deploying a short distance behind the inlet lip. There is a boom-style [[aerial refueling]] receptacle located behind the single-piece "bubble" canopy of the cockpit. Split-flap [[Air brake (aircraft)|speedbrakes]] are located at the aft end of the wing-body fairing, and a [[tailhook]] is mounted underneath the fuselage. A fairing beneath the rudder often houses ECM equipment or a [[drag chute]]. Later F-16 models feature a long dorsal fairing along the fuselage's "spine", housing additional equipment or fuel.<ref name="JAWA"/>{{sfn|Peacock|1997|pp=99–102}}

Aerodynamic studies in the 1960s demonstrated that the "[[vortex lift]]" phenomenon could be harnessed by highly [[swept wing]] configurations to reach higher [[angle of attack|angles of attack]], using [[leading edge]] vortex flow off a slender lifting surface. As the F-16 was being optimized for high combat agility, GD's designers chose a slender cropped-delta wing with a leading-edge sweep of 40° and a straight trailing edge. To improve maneuverability, a [[Camber (aerodynamics)|variable-camber]] wing with a NACA 64A-204 [[airfoil]] was selected; the camber is adjusted by leading-edge and trailing edge [[flaperon]]s linked to a digital [[flight control system]] regulating the [[flight envelope]].<ref name="JAWA"/><ref name="Richardson 1990, p. 10"/> The F-16 has a moderate wing loading, reduced by fuselage lift.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Dryden |first1=Joe Bill |title=F-16 Aerodynamics |date=April 1986 |access-date=7 August 2011 |url=http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/1986/articles/apr_86/f16_aero/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828124207/http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/1986/articles/apr_86/f16_aero/index.html |archive-date=28 August 2008 |publisher=Code One Magazine |website=www.codeonemagazine.com}}</ref> The vortex lift effect is increased by leading-edge extensions, known as strakes. Strakes act as additional short-span, triangular wings running from the [[wing root]] (the junction with the fuselage) to a point further forward on the fuselage. Blended into the fuselage and along the wing root, the strake generates a high-speed vortex that remains attached to the top of the wing as the angle of attack increases, generating additional lift and allowing greater angles of attack without stalling. Strakes allow a smaller, lower-[[Aspect ratio (wing)|aspect-ratio]] wing, which increases roll rates and [[directional stability]] while decreasing weight. Deeper wing roots also increase structural strength and internal fuel volume.<ref name="Richardson 1990, p. 10"/>{{sfn|Droste|Walker|1980|pp=3–8}}

===Armament===
[[File:F16A FAP linksup KC-10.jpg|left|thumb|A [[Portuguese Air Force]] F-16A outfitted with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, AN/ALQ-131 ECM pod, and external fuel tanks|alt=Aircraft carrying missiles on tips of wings during flight over ocean. Under each wing is a cylindrical external fuel tank with pointed nose]]

Early F-16s could be armed with up to six [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] heat-seeking short-range [[air-to-air missile]]s (AAM) by employing rail launchers on each wingtip, as well as radar-guided [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] medium-range AAMs in a weapons mix.<ref name="Spick226232">Spick 2000, pp. 226–228, 232.</ref> More recent versions support the [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]], and US aircraft often mount that missile on their wingtips to reduce [[wing flutter]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogoway |first=Tyler |title=The Definitive Answer on Why F-16s Carry AIM-120 AMRAAMs on Their Wingtip Rails |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40382/the-definitive-answer-on-why-f-16s-carry-aim-120-amraams-on-their-wingtip-rails |website=The War Zone |date=6 May 2021 |publisher=The Drive |access-date=7 May 2021 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510142356/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40382/the-definitive-answer-on-why-f-16s-carry-aim-120-amraams-on-their-wingtip-rails |url-status=live }}</ref> The aircraft can carry various other AAMs, a wide variety of air-to-ground missiles, rockets or bombs; [[electronic countermeasure]]s (ECM), navigation, [[Targeting pod|targeting]] or [[Gun pod|weapons pod]]s; and fuel tanks on 9 [[hardpoint]]s – six under the wings, two on wingtips, and one under the fuselage. Two other locations under the fuselage are available for sensor or radar pods.<ref name="Spick226232"/> The F-16 carries a [[20 mm caliber|{{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}}]] [[M61_Vulcan|M61A1 Vulcan cannon]], which is mounted inside the fuselage to the left of the cockpit.<ref name="Spick226232"/>

===Relaxed stability and fly-by-wire===
[[File:F16 SCANG InFlight.jpg|thumb|F-16C of the [[South Carolina Air National Guard]] in-flight over North Carolina equipped with air-to-air missiles, bomb rack, targeting pods, and electronic countermeasures pods]]

The F-16 is the first production fighter aircraft intentionally designed to be slightly aerodynamically unstable, also known as relaxed static stability (RSS), to both reduce drag and improve maneuverability.<ref name=Frawley_Military>{{harvnb|Frawley|2002|p=114}}</ref> Most aircraft are designed to have positive static stability, which induces the aircraft to return to straight and level flight [[Aircraft attitude|attitude]] if the pilot releases the controls. This reduces maneuverability as the inherent stability has to be overcome and increases a form of drag known as [[trim drag]]. Aircraft with ''relaxed'' stability are designed to be able to augment their stability characteristics while maneuvering to increase lift and reduce drag, thus greatly increasing their maneuverability. At {{nowrap|Mach 1}}, the F-16 gains positive stability because of aerodynamic changes.{{sfn|Hoh|Mitchell|1983|pp=11ff}}{{sfn|Aronstein|Piccirillo|1996|p=21}}{{sfn|Droste|Walker|1980|pp=8–13}}

To counter the tendency to depart from controlled flight and avoid the need for constant trim inputs by the pilot, the F-16 has a quadruplex (four-channel) [[fly-by-wire]] (FBW) [[Aircraft flight control system|flight control system]] (FLCS). The flight control computer (FLCC) accepts pilot input from the stick and rudder controls and manipulates the control surfaces in such a way as to produce the desired result without inducing control loss. The FLCC conducts thousands of measurements per second on the aircraft's flight attitude to automatically counter deviations from the pilot-set flight path. The FLCC further incorporates limiters governing movement in the [[Flight dynamics (fixed-wing aircraft)|three main axes]] based on attitude, airspeed, and angle of attack (AOA)/''g''; these prevent control surfaces from inducing instability such as [[slip (aerodynamic)|slips]] or [[skid (aerodynamic)|skids]], or a high AOA inducing a stall. The limiters also prevent maneuvers that would exert more than a {{nowrap|9-''g''}} load.{{sfn|Hoh|Mitchell|1983|p=5}}{{sfn|Droste|Walker|1980|loc=4: Unique Flight Control System Functional Features}}

Flight testing revealed that "assaulting" multiple limiters at high AOA and low speed can result in an AOA far exceeding the 25° limit, colloquially referred to as "departing"; this causes a deep stall; a near-freefall at 50° to 60° AOA, either upright or inverted. While at a very high AOA, the aircraft's attitude is stable but control surfaces are ineffective. The pitch limiter locks the stabilators at an extreme pitch-up or pitch-down attempting to [[Departure resistance|recover]]. This can be overridden so the pilot can "rock" the nose via pitch control to recover.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dryden |first1=Joe Bill |url=http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/1986/articles/july_86/deep_stalls/index.html |title=Recovering From Deep Stalls And Departures. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627050146/http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/1986/articles/july_86/deep_stalls/index.html |archive-date=27 June 2009 |publisher=Code One Magazine |date=July 1986 |access-date=17 April 2010}}</ref>

Unlike the YF-17, which had [[Aircraft flight control system#Hydro-mechanical|hydromechanical]] controls serving as a backup to the FBW, General Dynamics took the innovative step of eliminating mechanical linkages from the control stick and rudder pedals to the [[flight control surface]]s.{{sfn|Droste|Walker|1980|pp=14–19}} The F-16 is entirely reliant on its electrical systems to relay flight commands, instead of traditional mechanically linked controls, leading to the early moniker of "the electric jet" and aphorisms among pilots such as "You don't fly an F-16; it flies you."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Greenwood |first1=Cynthia |title=Air Force Looks at the Benefits of Using CPCs on F-16 Black Boxes |date=Spring 2007 |magazine=CorrDefense |access-date=16 June 2008 |url=http://www.corrdefense.org/CorrDefense%20Magazine/Spring%202007/feature.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011192605/http://www.corrdefense.org/CorrDefense%20Magazine/Spring%202007/feature.htm |archive-date=11 October 2008}}</ref> The quadruplex design permits "[[Fault tolerance|graceful degradation]]" in flight control response in that the loss of one channel renders the FLCS a "triplex" system.{{sfn|Richardson|1990|p=12}}{{sfn|Droste|Walker|1980|pp=53–62}} The FLCC began as an analog system on the A/B variants but has been supplanted by a digital computer system beginning with the F-16C/D Block 40.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nielson |first1=Mats |title=Total Immersion Fuel Tank Airborne Cable Assemblies: Glenair's Manufacturing Model and Qualification Process |date=2007 |publisher=Glenair |url=http://www.glenair.com/html/tiftac.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502214022/http://www.glenair.com/html/tiftac.htm |archive-date=2 May 2007 |access-date=16 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Day |first1=Dwayne A. |title=Computers in Aviation |date=2003 |url=https://www.centennialofflight.net/essay/Evolution_of_Technology/Computers/Tech37.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607155928/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Evolution_of_Technology/Computers/Tech37.htm |archive-date=7 June 2007 |publisher=US [[Centennial of Flight Commission]] |access-date=16 June 2008}}</ref> The F-16's controls suffered from a sensitivity to static electricity or [[electrostatic discharge]] (ESD) and [[lightning]].{{sfn|Droste|Walker|1980|loc=3.4: Lightning Protection}} Up to 70–80% of the C/D models' electronics were vulnerable to ESD.<ref>{{cite conference |last1=Thompson |first1= William H. |title=Electrical Overstress-Electrostatic Discharge Symposium Proceedings, 1984: EOS-6 |chapter=F-16 Study |page=23 |publisher=EOS/ESD Association, Inc. |access-date=14 November 2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tq4CTp-PbYcC&pg=PA23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313163300/https://books.google.com/books?id=Tq4CTp-PbYcC&pg=PA23 |archive-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>

===Cockpit and ergonomics===
[[File:A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 169th Fighter Wing conducts post flight tasks in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during a phase II operational readiness evaluation at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C. 080412-F-WT236-013.jpg|thumb|Bubble canopy, allowing all-round visibility]]

A key feature of the F-16's cockpit is the exceptional field of view. The single-piece, [[Bird strike|bird-proof]] [[polycarbonate]] bubble canopy provides 360° all-round visibility, with a 40° look-down angle over the side of the aircraft, and 15° down over the nose (compared to the common 12–13° of preceding aircraft); the pilot's seat is elevated for this purpose. Additionally, the F-16's canopy omits the forward bow frame found on many fighters, which is an obstruction to a pilot's forward vision.<ref name="JAWA"/>{{sfn|Peacock|1997|p=99}} The F-16's [[Ejection seat#Egress systems|ACES II]] [[Zero-zero ejection seat|zero/zero ejection seat]] is reclined at an unusual tilt-back angle of 30°; most fighters have a tilted seat at 13–15°. The tilted seat can accommodate taller pilots and increases {{nowrap|''g''-force}} tolerance; however, it has been associated with reports of neck aches, possibly caused by incorrect headrest usage.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Albano |first1=J. J. |last2=Stanford |first2=J. B. |title=Prevention of minor neck injuries in F-16 pilots |journal=[[Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine]] |date=December 1998 |issue=69 |volume=12 |pages=1193–1199 |pmid=9856546 |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9856546/}}</ref> Subsequent U.S. fighters have adopted more modest tilt-back angles of 20°.<ref name="JAWA"/>{{sfn|Peacock|1997|pp=99–100}} Because of the seat angle and the canopy's thickness, the ejection seat lacks canopy-breakers for emergency egress; instead the entire canopy is jettisoned prior to the seat's rocket firing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Robert |title=F-16 Fighting Falcon |date=30 May 2008 |access-date=23 March 2011 |url=https://fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/air/fighter/f16.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234034/http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/air/fighter/f16.html |archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref>

[[File:F16 Cockpit, Asian Aerospace 2006.JPG|thumb|left|F-16 ground trainer cockpit (F-16 Mid-Life Update (MLU))|alt=Cramped cockpit of jet trainer, showing dials and instruments]]
The pilot flies primarily by means of an armrest-mounted [[side-stick]] controller (instead of a traditional [[centre stick|center-mounted stick]]) and an engine throttle; conventional rudder pedals are also employed. To enhance the pilot's degree of control of the aircraft during {{nowrap|high-''g''}} combat maneuvers, various switches and function controls were moved to centralized [[HOTAS|hands on throttle-and-stick]] (HOTAS) controls upon both the controllers and the throttle. Hand pressure on the side-stick controller is transmitted by electrical signals via the FBW system to adjust various flight control surfaces to maneuver the F-16. Originally, the side-stick controller was non-moving, but this proved uncomfortable and difficult for pilots to adjust to, sometimes resulting in a tendency to "over-rotate" during takeoffs, so the control stick was given a small amount of "play". Since the introduction of the F-16, HOTAS controls have become a standard feature on modern fighters.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

[[File:170614-F-RH756-282 (34929964880) crop.jpg|thumb|upright|F-16 pilot with [[Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System]] and cockpit [[head-up display]]]]
The F-16 has a [[head-up display]] (HUD), which projects visual flight and combat information in front of the pilot without obstructing the view; being able to keep their head "out of the cockpit" improves the pilot's [[situation awareness]].<ref>{{cite report |last1=Task |first1=H.L. |title=Optical Effects of F-16 Canopy-HUD (Head Up Display) Integration |date=December 1983 |id=ADP003222 |publisher=Air Force Aerospace Medical Research Lab |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADP003222}}</ref> Further flight and systems information are displayed on [[multi-function display]]s (MFD). The left-hand MFD is the [[primary flight display]] (PFD), typically showing radar and moving maps; the right-hand MFD is the system display (SD), presenting information about the engine, landing gear, slat and flap settings, and fuel and weapons status. Initially, the F-16A/B had monochrome [[cathode-ray tube]] (CRT) displays; replaced by color [[liquid-crystal display]]s on the Block 50/52.<ref name="JAWA"/>{{sfn|Spick|2000|p=222}} The Mid-Life Update (MLU) introduced compatibility with [[night vision device|night-vision goggles]] (NVG). The [[Boeing]] [[Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System]] (JHMCS) is available from Block 40 onwards for targeting based on where the pilot's head faces, unrestricted by the HUD, using high-[[gun harmonisation|off-boresight]] missiles like the [[AIM-9X]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Boeing Integrated Defense Systems |title=Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) |access-date=25 October 2009 |url=http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/jhmcs/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611011835/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/jhmcs/index.html |archive-date=11 June 2012 |publisher=[[Boeing]]}}</ref>

===Fire-control radar===
The F-16A/B was originally equipped with the [[Westinghouse Electronic Systems|Westinghouse]] [[AN/APG-66]] [[fire-control radar]]. Its slotted [[planar array]] antenna was designed to be compact to fit into the F-16's relatively small nose. In uplook mode, the APG-66 uses a low [[pulse-repetition frequency]] (PRF) for medium- and high-altitude target detection in a low-[[Clutter (radar)|clutter]] environment, and in [[look-down/shoot-down]] employs a medium PRF for heavy clutter environments. It has four operating frequencies within the X band, and provides four air-to-air and seven air-to-ground operating modes for combat, even at night or in bad weather. The Block 15's APG-66(V)2 model added more powerful [[signal processing]], higher output power, improved reliability, and increased range in cluttered or [[Radar jamming and deception|jamming]] environments. The Mid-Life Update (MLU) program introduced a new model, APG-66(V)2A, which features higher speed and more memory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avitop.com/interact/radar.htm |title=The AN/APG-66 Radar.|author=John Raahauge|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130014311/http://www.avitop.com/interact/radar.htm |archive-date=30 January 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:F-16 Cockpit part.JPG|thumb|AN/APG-68, as fitted to the nose]]
The [[AN/APG-68]], an evolution of the APG-66, was introduced with the F-16C/D Block 25. The APG-68 has greater range and resolution, as well as 25 operating modes, including ground-mapping, Doppler beam-sharpening, ground [[moving target indication]], sea target, and [[track while scan]] (TWS) for up to 10 targets. The Block 40/42's APG-68(V)1 model added full compatibility with Lockheed Martin [[LANTIRN|Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night]] (LANTIRN) pods, and a high-PRF pulse-Doppler track mode to provide Interrupted Continuous Wave guidance for [[semi-active radar homing]] (SARH) missiles like the AIM-7 Sparrow. Block 50/52 F-16s initially used the more reliable APG-68(V)5 which has a programmable signal processor employing [[VHSIC|Very High Speed Integrated Circuit]] (VHSIC) technology. The Advanced Block 50/52 (or 50+/52+) is equipped with the APG-68(V)9 radar, with a 30% greater air-to-air detection range and a [[synthetic aperture radar]] (SAR) mode for high-resolution mapping and target detection-recognition. In August 2004, Northrop Grumman was contracted to upgrade the APG-68 radars of Block 40/42/50/52 aircraft to the (V)10 standard, providing all-weather autonomous detection and targeting for [[Global Positioning System]] (GPS)-aided precision weapons, SAR mapping, and [[terrain-following radar]] (TF) modes, as well as interleaving of all modes.<ref name="JAWA"/>

The F-16E/F is outfitted with Northrop Grumman's [[AN/APG-80]] [[active electronically scanned array]] (AESA) radar.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kopp |first1=Carlo |title=Active Electronically Steered Arrays: A Maturing Technology |date=June 2002 |issue=June |publisher=[[Air Power Australia]] |journal=[[Australian Aviation]] |volume=2002 |access-date=21 June 2008 |url=http://www.ausairpower.net/aesa-intro.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619091200/http://www.ausairpower.net/aesa-intro.html |archive-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> Northrop Grumman developed the latest AESA radar upgrade for the F-16 (selected for USAF and Taiwan's Republic of China Air Force F-16 upgrades), named the [[AN/APG-83]] Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.asdnews.com/news-51168/NGC_s_SABR_to_Help_Extend_Viability_of_USAF_F-16s_Beyond_2025.htm |title=NGC's SABR to Help Extend Viability of USAF F-16s Beyond 2025 |work=ASDNews.com |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205223148/http://www.asdnews.com/news-51168/NGC_s_SABR_to_Help_Extend_Viability_of_USAF_F-16s_Beyond_2025.htm |archive-date=5 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.northropgrumman.com/air/sabr-scalable-agile-beam-radar-apg-83-aesa-for-the-f-16-and-legacy-aircraft/ |title=SABR (Scalable Agile Beam Radar) APG-83 AESA for the F-16 and Legacy Aircraft |work=Northrop Grumman |access-date=28 April 2020 |archive-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405093039/https://www.northropgrumman.com/air/sabr-scalable-agile-beam-radar-apg-83-aesa-for-the-f-16-and-legacy-aircraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2007, Raytheon announced that it was developing a Next Generation Radar (RANGR) based on its earlier [[AN/APG-79]] AESA radar as a competitor to Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-68 and AN/APG-80 for the F-16.<ref name="JAWA"/> On 28 February 2020, Northrop Grumman received an order from USAF to extend the service lives of their F-16s to at least 2048 with AN/APG-83 as part of the service-life extension program (SLEP).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Donald |first1=David |title=U.S. Air Force Orders AESA Radar for F-16s |date=3 March 2020 |work=AINOnline |access-date=29 April 2020 |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2020-03-03/us-air-force-orders-aesa-radar-f-16s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731032843/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2020-03-03/us-air-force-orders-aesa-radar-f-16s |archive-date=31 July 2020}}</ref>

===Propulsion===
[[File:Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan engine.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Afterburner – concentric ring structure inside the exhaust]]

The initial powerplant selected for the single-engined F-16 was the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 [[Turbofan#Afterburning turbofan|afterburning turbofan]], a modified version of the F-15's F100-PW-100, rated at {{cvt|23830|lbf|kN}} thrust. During testing, the engine was found to be prone to compressor stalls and "rollbacks", wherein the engine's thrust would spontaneously reduce to idle. Until resolved, the Air Force ordered F-16s to be operated within "[[dead-stick landing]]" distance of its bases.<ref name="bjorkman 2014" /> It was the standard F-16 engine through the Block 25, except for the newly built Block 15s with the Operational Capability Upgrade (OCU). The OCU introduced the {{cvt|23770|lbf|kN}} F100-PW-220, later installed on Block 32 and 42 aircraft: the main advance being a Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC) unit, which improved reliability and reduced [[Stall (engine)|stall]] occurrence. Beginning production in 1988, the "-220" also supplanted the F-15's "-100", for commonality. Many of the "-220" engines on Block 25 and later aircraft were upgraded from 1997 onwards to the "-220E" standard, which enhanced reliability and maintainability; unscheduled engine removals were reduced by 35%.<ref name="Peacock 1997, pp. 102–103">{{harvnb|Peacock|1997|pp=102–103}}</ref>

[[File:F-16 Exhaust.JPG|thumb|Adjustable exhaust nozzle in contracted position]]
The F100-PW-220/220E was the result of the USAF's Alternate Fighter Engine (AFE) program (colloquially known as "the Great Engine War"), which also saw the entry of General Electric as an F-16 engine provider. Its [[General Electric F110|F110-GE-100]] turbofan was limited by the original inlet to a thrust of {{cvt|25735|lbf|kN}}, the Modular Common Inlet Duct allowed the F110 to achieve its maximum thrust of {{cvt|28984|lbf|kN}}. (To distinguish between aircraft equipped with these two engines and inlets, from the Block 30 series on, blocks ending in "0" (e.g., Block 30) are powered by GE, and blocks ending in "2" (e.g., Block 32) are fitted with Pratt & Whitney engines.)<ref name="Peacock 1997, pp. 102–103"/><ref>{{cite report |last1=Camm |first1=Frank |last2=Glennan, Jr. |first2=Thomas K. |title=The Development of the F100-PW-220 and F110-GE-100 Engines |publisher=[[RAND Corporation]] |date=1993 |access-date=21 June 2008 |id=N-3618-AF |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/notes/2007/N3618.pdf |url-status=live |type=pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605070804/http://www.rand.org/pubs/notes/2007/N3618.pdf |archive-date=5 June 2007}}</ref>

The Increased Performance Engine (IPE) program led to the {{cvt|29588|lbf|kN}} F110-GE-129 on the Block 50 and {{cvt|29160|lbf|kN}} F100-PW-229 on the Block 52. F-16s began flying with these IPE engines in the early 1990s. Altogether, of the 1,446 F-16C/Ds ordered by the USAF, 556 were fitted with F100-series engines and 890 with F110s.<ref name="JAWA"/> The United Arab Emirates' Block 60 is powered by the General Electric F110-GE-132 turbofan with a maximum thrust of {{cvt|32500|lbf|kN}}, the highest thrust engine developed for the F-16.<ref name="Peacock 1997, p. 103">{{harvnb|Peacock|1997|p=103}}</ref>
{{clear left}}

==Operational history==
{{main|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon operational history}}

===United States===
[[File:F-16 takeoff in Germany.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Air Force F-16 from the [[480th Fighter Squadron]] takes off from [[Spangdahlem Air Base]] in support of [[Operation Odyssey Dawn]]]]

The F-16 is being used by the active-duty USAF, [[Air Force Reserve]], and [[Air National Guard]] units, the USAF aerial demonstration team, the [[U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds]], and as an adversary-aggressor aircraft by the [[United States Navy]] at the [[Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

The U.S. Air Force, including the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard, flew the F-16 in combat during [[Operation Desert Storm]] in 1991 and in the [[Yugoslav Wars|Balkans]] later in the 1990s. F-16s also patrolled the no-fly zones in Iraq during Operations [[Northern Watch]] and [[Southern Watch]] and served during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] and the [[Iraq War|War in Iraq]] from 2001 and 2003 respectively. In 2011, Air Force F-16s took part in the [[2011 military intervention in Libya|intervention in Libya]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/20/libya-live-blog-allied-airstrikes-continue-against-gadhafi-forces/?hpt=T1/ |title=Libya live blog: Coalition confirms strike on Gadhafi compound|publisher=CNN|date=20 March 2011|access-date=20 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419112901/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/20/libya-live-blog-allied-airstrikes-continue-against-gadhafi-forces/?hpt=T1%2F|archive-date=19 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 11 September 2001, two unarmed F-16s were launched in an attempt to ram and down [[United Airlines Flight 93]] before it reached [[Washington D.C.]] during the [[September 11 attacks|11 September 2001 terrorist attacks]], but Flight 93 was prematurely brought down by the hijackers after passengers attacked the cockpit, so the F-16s were retasked to patrol the local airspace and later escorted [[Air Force One]] back to Washington.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/heather-penney-the-911-fighter-pilot-says-celebrating-normalcy-is-a-way-to-honor-heroes/2013/09/13/a97a4bc8-1c8f-11e3-8685-5021e0c41964_story.html |title=Heather Penney, the 9/11 fighter pilot, says celebrating normalcy is a way to honor heroes|last=Penney|first=Heather|author-link=Heather Penney|date=13 September 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200911154300/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/heather-penney-the-911-fighter-pilot-says-celebrating-normalcy-is-a-way-to-honor-heroes/2013/09/13/a97a4bc8-1c8f-11e3-8685-5021e0c41964_story.html|archive-date=11 September 2020|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name=WashingtonPost>{{cite news|last1=Hendrix|first1=Steve|title=F-16 pilot was ready to give her life on Sept. 11|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/f-16-pilot-was-ready-to-give-her-life-on-sept-11/2015/09/06/7c8cddbc-d8ce-11e0-9dca-a4d231dfde50_story.html|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=8 September 2011|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=12 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912191720/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/f-16-pilot-was-ready-to-give-her-life-on-sept-11/2015/09/06/7c8cddbc-d8ce-11e0-9dca-a4d231dfde50_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{importance inline|date=May 2021}}

The F-16 had been scheduled to remain in service with the U.S. Air Force until 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Tirpak |first1=John A. |title=Making the Best of the Fighter Force |date=March 2007 |magazine=[[Air Force Magazine]] |publisher=[[Air Force Association]] |pages=40–45 |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/PDF/MagazineArchive/Documents/2007/March%202007/0307force.pdf |url-status=live |type=pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221144805/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2007/March%202007/0307force.aspx |archive-date=21 February 2009}}</ref> Its replacement is planned to be the F-35A variant of the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]], which is expected to gradually begin replacing several multirole aircraft among the program's member nations. However, owing to delays in the F-35 program, all USAF F-16s will receive service life extension upgrades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130416/NEWS/304160020/AF-seeks-F-16-fleet-upgrade-requests-19-more-F-35As |title=AF seeks F-16 fleet upgrade, requests 19 more F-35As.|work=Air Force Times|access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> In 2022, it was announced the USAF would continue to operate the F-16 for another two decades.<ref>{{cite web |first=John A. |last=Tirpak |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/f-16s-to-serve-nearly-two-more-decades-replacement-choice-still-6-8-years-away/ |title=F-16s to Serve Nearly Two More Decades, Replacement Choice Still 6–8 Years Away |website=Air Force Magazine |date=4 April 2022 |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405014835/https://www.airforcemag.com/f-16s-to-serve-nearly-two-more-decades-replacement-choice-still-6-8-years-away/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Israel===
[[File:F-16-Netz-107-fighter-and-killmarks-01.jpg|thumb|[[Israeli Air Force]] [[IAF F-16 Netz 107|F-16A Netz 107]] with 6.5 kill marks of other aircraft, a record for an F-16, as well as one kill mark of an [[Operation Opera|Iraqi nuclear reactor]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Etzion |first1=Udi |title=Record-breaking F-16 Falcon to be retired from IDF service |date=11 February 2015 |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4625569,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213133717/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4625569,00.html |archive-date=13 February 2015}}</ref>]]

The F-16's first air-to-air combat success was achieved by the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) over the [[Bekaa Valley]] on 28 April 1981, against a Syrian [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]] helicopter, which was downed with cannon fire.<ref name="ACIG F-16">{{cite web |last1=Iskra |first1=Alex |title=GD/L-M F-16A/B Netz in Israeli Service |date=26 September 2003 |publisher=Air Combat Information Group (ACIG) |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_276.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510123618/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_276.shtml |archive-date=10 May 2012 |access-date=16 May 2008}}</ref> On 7 June 1981, eight Israeli F-16s, escorted by six F-15s, executed [[Operation Opera]], their first employment in a significant air-to-ground operation. This raid severely damaged [[Osirak]], an Iraqi [[nuclear reactor]] under construction near [[Baghdad]], to prevent the regime of [[Saddam Hussein]] from using the reactor for the creation of [[nuclear weapon]]s.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Rebecca |first1=Grant |title=Osirak and Beyond |date=August 2002 |access-date=8 December 2011 |magazine=[[Air Force Magazine]] |publisher=[[Air & Space Forces Association]] |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/PDF/MagazineArchive/Documents/2002/August%202002/0802osirik.pdf |url-status=live |type=pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426115420/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/PDF/MagazineArchive/Documents/2002/August%202002/0802osirik.pdf |archive-date=26 April 2023}}</ref>

The following year, during the [[1982 Lebanon War]] Israeli F-16s engaged Syrian aircraft in one of the largest air battles involving jet aircraft, which began on 9 June and continued for two more days. Israeli Air Force F-16s were credited with 44 air-to-air kills during the conflict.<ref name="ACIG F-16" /><ref>{{cite report |last1=Schow, Jr. |first1=Kenneth C. |title=Falcons Against the Jihad: Israeli Airpower and Coercive Diplomacy in Southern Lebanon. |date=November 1995 |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA301572 |id=ADA301572 |publisher=[[Air University Press]] |access-date=16 May 2008}}</ref>

In January 2000, Israel completed a purchase of 102 new F-16I aircraft in a deal totaling {{nowrap|$4.5 billion}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article7.html |title=F-16 Air Forces – Israel |work=F-16.net |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902045655/http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article7.html |archive-date=2 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> F-16s were also used in their ground-attack role for strikes against targets in Lebanon. IAF F-16s participated in the [[2006 Lebanon War]] and the [[Gaza War (2008–09)|2008–09 Gaza War]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Colvin |first1=Marie |last2=Allen-Mills |first2=Tony |title=Israeli jets kill 'at least 225' in strikes on Gaza |date=28 December 2008 |work=The Sunday Times |publisher=[[The Times]] |access-date=25 October 2009 |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/israeli-jets-kill-at-least-225-in-strikes-on-gaza-7vxt2pmrb39 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429082825/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5404501.ece |archive-date=29 April 2011}}</ref> During and after the 2006 Lebanon war, IAF F-16s shot down [[Iran]]ian-made [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]s launched by [[Hezbollah]], using [[Rafael Advanced Defense Systems|Rafael]] [[Python 5]] air-to-air missiles.<ref name= "f-16.net2">{{cite web|url=http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/airframe-profile/2482/ |title=Airframe Details for F-16 #87-1672|work=F-16.net|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902003936/http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/airframe-profile/2482|archive-date=2 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=IAF shoots down hostile drone from Lebanon off Haifa|url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/IAF-shoots-down-drone-which-flew-south-from-Lebanon-311098|newspaper=The [[Jerusalem Post]]|date=25 April 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928193723/http://www.jpost.com/Defense/IAF-shoots-down-drone-which-flew-south-from-Lebanon-311098|archive-date=28 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jpost.com/Video-Articles/Video/IAF-shoots-down-UAV-in-northern-Negev |title=IAF shoots down UAV in northern Negev |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=6 October 2012 |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827084555/http://www.jpost.com/Video-Articles/Video/IAF-shoots-down-UAV-in-northern-Negev |archive-date=27 August 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 February 2018, an Israeli Air Force F-16I [[February 2018 Israel–Syria incident|was shot down]] in northern Israel when it was hit by a relatively old model [[S-200 (missile)|S-200]] (NATO name SA-5 Gammon) surface-to-air missile of the Syrian Air Defense Force.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5131594,00.html |title=Investigation finds pilots of downed F-16 failed to defend themselves |date=25 February 2018 |newspaper=Ynetnews |access-date=27 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311082643/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5131594,00.html |archive-date=11 March 2018 |url-status=live|last1=Zitun |first1=Yoav}}</ref> The pilot and navigator ejected safely in Israeli territory. The F-16I was part of a bombing mission against Syrian and Iranian targets around Damascus after an Iranian drone entered Israeli airspace and was shot down.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/10/middleeast/israel-military-jet-crash/index.html |title=Israeli F-16 jet crashes after Syrian fire |author=Andrew Carey, Laura Smith-Spark and Nicole Chavez |publisher=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210071644/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/10/middleeast/israel-military-jet-crash/index.html |archive-date=10 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> An Israel Air Force investigation determined on 27 February 2018 that the loss was due to pilot error since the IAF determined the air crew did not adequately defend themselves.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-air-force-investigation-into-f-16-crash-blames-pilot-error-1.5848386 |title=Israel Air Force Investigation into F-16 Crash Blames Pilot Error |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=27 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227161755/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-air-force-investigation-into-f-16-crash-blames-pilot-error-1.5848386 |archive-date=27 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 16 July 2024, the last single-seat F-16C Barak-1 (‘Lightning’ in Hebrew) were retired; the [[Israeli Air Force]] continue to use the F-16D Brakeet and F-16I Sufa two-seat variants.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/israel-retires-barak-1-variant-f-16s|title=Israel retires Barak 1-variant F-16s|website=janes.com|date=16 July 2024|accessdate=5 October 2024}}</ref>

===Pakistan===
[[File:84606 General Dynamics F-16BM 11(MR) 39W Pakistan Air Force Konya AFB 30.6.22 (52233200683).jpg|thumb|left|The PAF F-16BM (S. No. 84-606) which shot down one of the Indian jets during [[2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes|Operation Swift Retort]] (kill mark visible on nose)]]

During the [[Soviet–Afghan War]], PAF F-16As shot down between 20 and 30 Soviet and Afghan [[warplanes]]; the political situation however resulted in PAF officially recognizing only 9 kills which were made inside Pakistani airspace.<ref>{{cite journal|quote=due to political reasons, the kills made inside Afghan airspace by the PAF (estimated to be between 20 and 30, were never officially recognized or disclosed. To date, PAF officially recognized only the eight kills made inside Pakistani airspace and one forced manoeuvre kill.|website=Defence Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030422020522/http://defencejournal.com:80/2003/mar/airman.htm|url=http://defencejournal.com:80/2003/mar/airman.htm|archive-date=22 April 2003|title=An Airman Remembered|author=Rai Muhammad Saleh Azam}}</ref> From May 1986 to January 1989, [[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]] F-16s from the [[Tail Choppers]] and [[No. 9 Squadron PAF|Griffin]] squadrons using mostly AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, shot down four [[Afghan Air Force|Afghan]] [[Sukhoi Su-17|Su-22s]], two [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23s]], one [[Sukhoi Su-25|Su-25]], and one [[Antonov An-26|An-26]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pafwallpapers.com/kill_illustrations.htm |title= PAF F-16 air kills illustrations |publisher= PAFwallpapers.com |access-date= 5 July 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120115121441/http://www.pafwallpapers.com/kill_illustrations.htm |archive-date= 15 January 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> Most of these kills were by missiles, but at least one, a Su-22, was destroyed by cannon fire. One F-16 was lost in these battles. The downed F-16 was likely [[friendly fire|hit accidentally]] by the other F-16.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article14.html |title= F-16 Air Forces – Pakistan |publisher= F-16.net |access-date= 8 September 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110529022627/http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article14.html |archive-date= 29 May 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 7 June 2002, a Pakistan Air Force F-16B Block 15 (S. No. 82-605) shot down an Indian Air Force unmanned aerial vehicle, an Israeli-made [[IAI Searcher|Searcher II]], using an AIM-9L Sidewinder missile, during a night interception near [[Lahore]].<ref name="Vaya-20020607">{{cite web |title=IAF's Searcher-II Loss on June 07, 2002 |url=http://vayu-sena-aux.tripod.com/other-Parakram-IAF-UAV-Wreckage.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123123614/http://vayu-sena-aux.tripod.com/other-Parakram-IAF-UAV-Wreckage.html |archive-date=23 January 2009 |access-date=1 March 2012 |publisher=Vayu-sena-aux.tripod.com}}</ref>

The Pakistan Air Force has used its F-16s in various foreign and internal military exercises, such as the "Indus Vipers" exercise in 2008 conducted jointly with Turkey.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bokhari |first1=Farhan |title=Pakistan and Turkey organise air force exercises |date=17 April 2008 |work=[[Jane's Defence Weekly]] |publisher=[[IHS Markit|IHS Inc.]] |url=https://janes.ihs.com/CustomPages/Janes/DisplayPage.aspx?DocType=News&ItemId=+++1176797&Pubabbrev=JDW}}</ref>{{failed verification |date=April 2023 |reason=Access to this article may no longer be possible; see [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/293458559_Pakistan_and_Turkey_organise_air_force_exercises link]}}

Between May 2009 and {{As of|2011|11|alt=November 2011}}, the PAF F-16 fleet flew more than 5,500 sorties{{Update inline|date=May 2019|reason=7.5-year-old count needs updating}} in support of the [[Pakistan Army]]'s [[War in North-West Pakistan|operations]] against the Taliban insurgency in the [[FATA]] region of [[North-West Pakistan]]. More than 80% of the dropped munitions were [[laser-guided bomb]]s.<ref name="NY Times, Pakistan injects precision">Schmitt, Eric. [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/world/asia/30pstan.html?_r=1 "Pakistan Injects Precision Into Air War on Taliban."] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119014733/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/world/asia/30pstan.html|date=19 January 2017}} ''[[The New York Times]]'', 29 July 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.</ref><ref name="TPK-20111114">{{cite web |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/291762/paf-conducted-5500-bombing-runs-in-fata-since-2008/ |title=PAF conducted 5,500 bombing runs in Fata since 2008 |author=PPI |work=[[The Express Tribune]] |language=en |date=14 November 2011 |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128202816/http://tribune.com.pk/story/291762/paf-conducted-5500-bombing-runs-in-fata-since-2008/ |archive-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 February 2019, following [[2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes|six Pakistan Air Force airstrikes in Jammu and Kashmir, India]], Pakistani officials said that two of its fighter jets shot down one [[MiG-21]] and one [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI|Su-30MKI]] belonging to the Indian Air Force.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofislamabad.com/17-Apr-2019/in-a-first-paf-chief-reveals-shooting-down-of-iaf-russian-made-su-30-mki-inside-details-of-indian-combat-helicopter-downing|title=In a first, PAF Chief reveals shooting down of IAF Russian made Su 30 MKI, inside details of Indian Combat Helicopter downing|date=17 April 2019|work=Times of Islamabad|access-date=27 October 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101021905/https://timesofislamabad.com/17-Apr-2019/in-a-first-paf-chief-reveals-shooting-down-of-iaf-russian-made-su-30-mki-inside-details-of-indian-combat-helicopter-downing|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/pakistan-shoots-indian-fighter-jets-military-190227055937142.html |title=Pakistan shoots down two Indian fighter jets: Military |date=27 February 2019 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228124544/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/pakistan-shoots-indian-fighter-jets-military-190227055937142.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistan-says-it-downed-two-iaf-jets-identifies-pilots-behind-act/story-KekUb5nSBzJHksW5GpWiuI.html |title=Pakistan says it downed two IAF jets, identifies pilots behind act |date=6 March 2019 |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=3 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103111401/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistan-says-it-downed-two-iaf-jets-identifies-pilots-behind-act/story-KekUb5nSBzJHksW5GpWiuI.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/27/india/india-pakistan-strikes-escalation-intl/index.html |title=Pakistan says it shot down two Indian jets as Kashmir border crisis deepens |author1=Helen Regan |author2=Nikhil Kumar |author3=Adeel Raja |author4=Swati Gupta |publisher=CNN |date=27 February 2019 |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227081256/https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/27/india/india-pakistan-strikes-escalation-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Indian officials only confirmed the loss of one MiG-21 but denied losing any Su-30MKI in the clash and claimed the Pakistani claims as dubious.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2019 |title=On Air Force Day, India flies the Sukhoi-30MKI that Pak claimed to have shot down |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/air-force-day-india-flies-sukhoi-30mki-pak-claimed-have-shot-down-110169 |access-date=17 January 2023 |website=The News Minute |language=en |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929143143/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/air-force-day-india-flies-sukhoi-30mki-pak-claimed-have-shot-down-110169 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2019 |title=Sukhoi Fighter Jet 'Shot Down' by Pakistan Makes Appearance at Indian Air Force Day Flypast |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/sukhoi-fighter-jet-shot-down-by-pakistan-makes-appearance-at-indian-air-force-day-flypast-2337989.html |access-date=17 January 2023 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313163302/https://www.news18.com/news/india/sukhoi-fighter-jet-shot-down-by-pakistan-makes-appearance-at-indian-air-force-day-flypast-2337989.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally Indian officials also claimed to have shot down one F-16 belonging to the Pakistan Air Force.<ref name="iex">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-pakistan-tension-amraam-missile-debris-f16-jet-5605806/|title=India's Exhibit A: Debris of AMRAAM missile that nails Pakistan's F-16 denial|date=1 March 2019|access-date=25 June 2020|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625074908/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-pakistan-tension-amraam-missile-debris-f16-jet-5605806/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="japantimes">{{cite web |date=9 April 2019 |title=Radar images prove Pakistan F-16 shot down, says Indian Air Force |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/04/09/asia-pacific/radar-images-prove-pakistan-f-16-shot-says-indian-air-force/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410132333/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/04/09/asia-pacific/radar-images-prove-pakistan-f-16-shot-says-indian-air-force/#.XK3ucGjP3IU |archive-date=10 April 2019 |work=The Japan Times}}</ref> This was denied by the Pakistani side,<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Marlow |first1=Iain |title=India Never Shot Down Pakistani F-16, New Report Says |url=https://time.com/5564980/india-never-shot-pakistani-plane-kashmir/ |magazine=Time |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405172535/http://time.com/5564980/india-never-shot-pakistani-plane-kashmir/ |url-status=live }}</ref> considered dubious by neutral sources,<ref>{{Cite web |title=IAF Did Not Shoot Down Pak F-16 in Balakot Aftermath, Says US Scholar Christine Fair |url=https://thewire.in/security/christine-fair-iaf-balakot-pakistan-f16 |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=The Wire |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109175530/https://thewire.in/security/christine-fair-iaf-balakot-pakistan-f16 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 March 2019 |title=No proof India shot down Pakistan F-16 |url=https://asiatimes.com/2019/03/no-proof-india-shot-down-pakistan-f-16/ |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=Asia Times |language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219105218/https://asiatimes.com/2019/03/no-proof-india-shot-down-pakistan-f-16/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and later backed by a report by ''[[Foreign Policy]]'' magazine, reporting that the US had completed a physical count of Pakistan's F-16s and found none missing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/04/04/did-india-shoot-down-a-pakistani-jet-u-s-count-says-no/|title=Did India Shoot Down a Pakistani Jet? U.S. Count Says No.|last=Seligman|first=Lara|website=Foreign Policy|date=4 April 2019 |language=en|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=23 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123193754/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/04/04/did-india-shoot-down-a-pakistani-jet-u-s-count-says-no/|url-status=live}}</ref> A report by ''[[The Washington Post]]'' noted that [[the Pentagon]] and [[United States Department of State|State Department]] refused public comment on the matter but did not deny the earlier report.<ref name=wapo>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/17/did-india-shoot-down-pakistani-f-back-february-this-just-became-big-deal/ |title=Analysis &#124; Did India shoot down a Pakistani F-16 in February? This just became a big deal. |first1=Sameer |last1=Lalwani |first2=Emily |last2=Tallo |newspaper=The Washington Post |quote=Indian media reported that a U.S. Defense Department spokesman said he was unaware of any investigation. The Pentagon, like the State Department, has yet to issue a public statement on the F-16 count, but there have been no counter-leaks contradicting the Foreign Policy report. |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130122209/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/17/did-india-shoot-down-pakistani-f-back-february-this-just-became-big-deal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Turkey===
[[File:F16 - RIAT 2014 (34306872320).jpg|thumb|F-16 SoloTürk aerial aerobatic aircraft]]

The [[Turkish Air Force]] acquired its first F-16s in 1987. F-16s were later produced in Turkey under four phases of ''Peace Onyx'' programs. In 2015, they were upgraded to Block 50/52+ with [[Constantly computed impact point|CCIP]] by Turkish Aerospace Industries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article21.html|title=F-16 Air Forces – Turkey|website=f-16.net|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=12 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412212033/https://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article21.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Turkish F-16s are being fitted with indigenous AESA radars and EW suite called SPEWS-II.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/defense/2019/02/07/turkeys-f-16-jets-equipped-with-new-domestic-electronic-warfare-systems|title=Turkey's F-16 jets equipped with new domestic electronic warfare systems|first=daily|last=sabah|date=7 February 2019|website=Daily Sabah|access-date=21 December 2020|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305123508/https://www.dailysabah.com/defense/2019/02/07/turkeys-f-16-jets-equipped-with-new-domestic-electronic-warfare-systems|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 18 June 1992, a Greek Mirage F1 crashed during a [[dogfight]] with a Turkish F-16.<ref>{{YouTube|gyqq7lMyTnI|HUD footage}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww3/f/58/23/0 |title=While engaged by two THK F-16Cs, Sialmas entered a break that was too much for the F.1CG at low level: the aircraft entered a spin and crashed into the sea, killing the pilot.|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102015020/http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww3/f/58/23/0|archive-date=2 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ACIG 2004" /> On 8 February 1995, a Turkish F-16 crashed into the Aegean Sea after being intercepted by Greek Mirage F1 fighters.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/f16-crash-heightens-tension-in-aegean-1572157.html |title=F-16 crash heightens tension in Aegean|work=The Independent|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312013710/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/f16-crash-heightens-tension-in-aegean-1572157.html|archive-date=12 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|knT8NA9Ggko|Greek TV: A pilot of Hellenic Air Force explain how the Turkish F-16 crashed over Aegean Sea}}</ref>

Turkish F-16s have participated in [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]] and [[Kosovo]] since 1993 in support of [[United Nations]] resolutions.<ref>{{cite web |author=[[Turkish Air Force]] |title=Our History |website=hkvv.tsk.tr |access-date=3 February 2012 |url=http://www.hvkk.tsk.tr/EN/IcerikDetay.aspx?ID=131 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111013955/http://www.hvkk.tsk.tr/EN/IcerikDetay.aspx?ID=131 |archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref>

On 8 October 1996, seven months after the escalation a Greek [[Mirage 2000]] reportedly fired an [[R.550 Magic|R.550 Magic II]] missile and shot down a Turkish F-16D over the Aegean Sea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4362620.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104212512/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4362620.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2012 |title=Turkish F-16 jet crashes after Greek interception |work= Chicago Sun-Times |date= 9 October 1996 |access-date= 8 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article619.html |title=Deadly 1996 Aegean clash is confirmed|work=f-16.net|access-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127015725/http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article619.html|archive-date=27 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The Turkish pilot died, while the co-pilot ejected and was rescued by Greek forces.<ref name="ACIG 2004">{{cite web|url=http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=47 |title=Greek & Turkish Air-to-Air Victories|author=Sander Peeters|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084111/http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=47|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|2-aAb97Re9Y|Turkish Pilot at 0:46}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-3371.html |title=F-16 Aircraft Database: F-16 Airframe Details for 91-0023|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506084845/http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falcon_airframe-3371.html|archive-date=6 May 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2012, after the [[Turkish-Syrian relations#Friction due to Syrian civil war|downing of an RF-4E]] on the Syrian coast, Turkish Defence Minister [[İsmet Yılmaz]] confirmed that the Turkish F-16D was shot down by a Greek Mirage 2000 with an R.550 Magic II in 1996 near [[Chios]] island.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cenciotti |first1=David |title=30 years later, Ankara admits Turkish Air Force jet was shot down by Iraq |date=6 September 2012 |publisher=The Aviationist |url=http://theaviationist.com/2012/09/06/tuaf-incidents/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130040159/http://theaviationist.com/2012/09/06/tuaf-incidents/ |archive-date=30 January 2015}}</ref> Greece denies that the F-16 was shot down.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ekathimerini.com/208753/article/ekathimerini/news/court-rejects-turkish-request-for-trial-of-greek-pilot-who-allegedly-shot-down-f-16-jet |title=Court rejects Turkish request for trial of Greek pilot who allegedly shot down F-16 jet |date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224211622/http://www.ekathimerini.com/208753/article/ekathimerini/news/court-rejects-turkish-request-for-trial-of-greek-pilot-who-allegedly-shot-down-f-16-jet |access-date=8 November 2021 |archive-date=24 February 2017}}</ref> Both Mirage 2000 pilots reported that the F-16 caught fire and they saw one [[parachute]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsbomb.gr/ellada/ethnika/story/697371/katarripsi-toyrkikoy-f-16-ti-dilose-o-ellinas-pilotos |title=Κατάρριψη τουρκικού F-16 – Τι δήλωσε ο Έλληνας πιλότος &#124; Newsbomb |date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114060239/https://www.newsbomb.gr/ellada/ethnika/story/697371/katarripsi-toyrkikoy-f-16-ti-dilose-o-ellinas-pilotos |access-date=8 November 2021 |archive-date=14 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ekathimerini.com/208734/article/ekathimerini/news/turkish-court-wants-trial-of-greek-pilot-for-allegedly-shooting-down-fighter-jet |title=Turkish court wants trial of Greek pilot for allegedly shooting down fighter jet |website=Ekathimerini.com |access-date=14 July 2020 |archive-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224211622/http://www.ekathimerini.com/208753/article/ekathimerini/news/court-rejects-turkish-request-for-trial-of-greek-pilot-who-allegedly-shot-down-f-16-jet |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 May 2006, two Greek F-16s intercepted a Turkish RF-4 reconnaissance aircraft and two F-16 escorts off the coast of the Greek island of [[Karpathos]], within the Athens [[Flight information region|FIR]]. A mock dogfight ensued between the two sides, resulting in a midair collision<ref>{{YouTube|YkIXc8-GPNU|Turkish F-16 pilots attitude-2:22}}</ref> between a Turkish F-16 and a Greek F-16. The Turkish pilot ejected safely, but the Greek pilot died owing to damage caused by the collision.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vasington.be.mfa.gov.tr/ShowAnnouncement.aspx?ID=115955 |title=It will be recalled that on 23 May 2006, a Greek F-16 aircraft crashed into a Turkish F-16 |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322030232/http://vasington.be.mfa.gov.tr/ShowAnnouncement.aspx?ID=115955 |archive-date=22 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f-16.net/news_article1809.html |title=Greek F-16 and Turkish F-16 collide – 1 pilot OK |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115085633/http://www.f-16.net/news_article1809.html |archive-date=15 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Turkey used its F-16s extensively in its [[Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present)|conflict with Kurdish insurgents]] in southeastern parts of Turkey and Iraq. Turkey launched its first cross-border raid on 16 December 2007, a prelude to the [[2008 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq]], involving 50 fighters before [[Operation Sun]]. This was the first time Turkey had mounted a night-bombing operation on a massive scale, and also the largest operation conducted by the Turkish Air Force.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gürgen |first1=Murat |title=Uçaklar nasıl vurdu? |date=17 December 2007 |work=[[Vatan (2002 newspaper)|Vatan]] |access-date=3 February 2012 |language=tr |url=https://www.gazetevatan.com/gundem/ucaklar-nasil-vurdu-152129 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520150423/http://haber.gazetevatan.com/Ucaklar_nasil_vurdu_152129_1/152129/1/Haber |archive-date=20 May 2013}}</ref>

During the [[Syrian Civil War]], Turkish F-16s were tasked with airspace protection on the Syrian border. After the [[June 2012 interception of Turkish aircraft|RF-4 downing in June 2012]] Turkey changed its rules of engagement against Syrian aircraft, resulting in scrambles and downings of Syrian combat aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article4842.html |title=Turkish F-16 jets scramble to intercept 2 Syrian Su-24s|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505153249/http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article4842.html|archive-date=5 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 September 2013, a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a [[Syrian Arab Air Force]] [[Mil Mi-17]] helicopter near the Turkish border.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/world/europe/turkey-syria.html|work=The New York Times |first1=Kareem |last1=Fahim |first2=Sebnem |last2=Arsu |title=Turkey Says It Shot Down Syrian Military Helicopter Flying in Its Airspace |date=16 September 2013 |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803131453/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/world/europe/turkey-syria.html?_r=0 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 March 2014, a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Syrian Arab Air Force MiG-23 when it allegedly entered Turkish air space during a ground attack mission against [[Al Qaeda]]-linked insurgents.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-rebels-and-army-clash-over-coastal-town/2014/03/26/1c134e8c-b4cf-11e3-bab2-b9602293021d_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329065339/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-rebels-and-army-clash-over-coastal-town/2014/03/26/1c134e8c-b4cf-11e3-bab2-b9602293021d_story.html |archive-date= 29 March 2014 |title= Al Qaeda-Linked Islamists Capture Christian Town |publisher=CBN |access-date=26 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 16 May 2015, two Turkish Air Force F-16s shot down a Syrian [[Ghods Mohajer|Mohajer 4]] UAV firing two [[AIM-9]] missiles after it trespassed into Turkish airspace for 5 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkey-shot-syrian-helicopter-31092616 |title=Turkey Says It Shot Down Syrian Helicopter |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |last1=Butler |first1=Desmond |date=16 May 2015 |access-date=16 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100733/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkey-shot-syrian-helicopter-31092616 |archive-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/f-16-larin-vurdugu-iha-suriye-gundem-2060652/ |title=F-16'ların vurduğu İHA, İran yapımı 'Muhacir'|date=18 May 2015|work=MİLLİYET HABER – TÜRKİYE'NİN HABER SİTESİ|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013709/http://www.milliyet.com.tr/f-16-larin-vurdugu-iha-suriye-gundem-2060652/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> A Turkish Air Force F-16 [[2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown|shot down a Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-24]] on the Turkey-Syria border on 24 November 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin calls plane's downing by Turkey 'stab in the back'|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/24/middleeast/warplane-crashes-near-syria-turkey-border/index.html|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=24 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124084424/http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/24/middleeast/warplane-crashes-near-syria-turkey-border/index.html|archive-date=24 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 March 2020, two Syrian Sukhoi Su-24s were shot down by Turkish Air Force F-16s using air-to-air missiles over Syria's [[Idlib Governorate]].<ref>{{cite web |title=بعد إسقاطها لمروحيتين الشهر الفائت.. القوات التركية تسقط طائرتين حربيتين تابعة للنظام السوري في أجواء محافظة إدلب |url=http://www.syriahr.com/?p=366361 |website=SOHR |date=March 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |archive-date=20 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420195817/http://www.syriahr.com/?p=366361 |url-status=live }}</ref> All four pilots safely ejected.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cp24.com/world/two-syrian-jets-shot-down-near-turkish-border-pilots-survive-1.4833828|title=Two Syrian jets shot down near Turkish border, pilots survive|work=CP24 Toronto News|date=1 March 2020|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124154541/https://www.cp24.com/world/two-syrian-jets-shot-down-near-turkish-border-pilots-survive-1.4833828|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 March 2020, a Syrian Arab Army Air Force [[Aero L-39 Albatros|L-39]] combat trainer was shot down by a Turkish F-16 over Syria's Idlib province.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/joint-turkish-russian-patrols-to-begin-on-march-15-latest-updates-34168|title=Joint Turkish-Russian patrols to begin on March 15 – latest updates|date=7 March 2020|access-date=15 February 2021|archive-date=29 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029122955/https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/joint-turkish-russian-patrols-to-begin-on-march-15-latest-updates-34168|url-status=live}}</ref> The pilot died.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/wires/20200303-syrian-pilot-killed-turkey-downs-warplane-monitor|title=Syrian pilot killed as Turkey downs warplane: monitor|date=3 March 2020|publisher=Radio France Internationale|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913201320/https://www.rfi.fr/en/wires/20200303-syrian-pilot-killed-turkey-downs-warplane-monitor|url-status=live}}</ref>

As a part of Turkish F-16 modernization program new air-to-air missiles are being developed and tested for the aircraft. [[GÖKTUĞ]] program led by [[Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey|TUBITAK SAGE]] has presented two types of air-to-air missiles named as Bozdogan ([[Merlin (bird)|Merlin]]) and Gokdogan ([[Peregrine falcon|Peregrine]]). While Bozdogan has been categorized as a Within Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (WVRAAM), Gokdogan is a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile ([[Beyond-visual-range missile|BVRAAM]]). On 14 April 2021, first live test exercise of Bozdogan have successfully completed and the first batch of missiles are expected to be delivered throughout the same year to the Turkish Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SABAH|first=DAILY|date=14 April 2021|title=Turkey's air-to-air missile Bozdoğan successfully hits target|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkeys-air-to-air-missile-bozdogan-successfully-hits-target|access-date=14 April 2021|website=Daily Sabah|language=en-US|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414083244/https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkeys-air-to-air-missile-bozdogan-successfully-hits-target|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Turkey becomes 1 of few countries with air-to-air missile|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/science-technology/turkey-becomes-1-of-few-countries-with-air-to-air-missile/2208467|access-date=14 April 2021|website=aa.com.tr|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414085258/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/science-technology/turkey-becomes-1-of-few-countries-with-air-to-air-missile/2208467|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Egypt===
[[File:Egyptian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon.jpg|thumb|An Egyptian Air Force F-16 prepares to make contact with a United States Air Force [[KC-135 Stratotanker]], 2007]]
On 16 February 2015, Egyptian F-16s [[February 2015 Egyptian airstrikes in Libya|struck weapons caches and training camps]] of the [[Islamic State]] (ISIS) in Libya in retaliation for the murder of 21 Egyptian [[Copts|Coptic Christian]] construction workers by masked militants affiliated with ISIS. The airstrikes killed 64 ISIS fighters, including three leaders in [[Derna, Libya|Derna]] and [[Sirte]] on the coast.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/egypt-air-strikes-target-isis-weapons-stockpiles-libya |title=Egyptian air strikes in Libya kill dozens of Isis militants |author=Chris Stephen |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202000126/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/egypt-air-strikes-target-isis-weapons-stockpiles-libya |archive-date=2 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Europe===
{{see also||General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon operators}}

The [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]], [[Belgian Air Component]], [[Royal Danish Air Force]] and [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] all fly the F-16.{{sfn|Senior|2002|p=92}} All F-16s in most European air forces are equipped with [[drag chutes]] specifically to allow them to operate from automobile highways.<ref name="kp1">{{cite news |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/analysis/31630 |title=Analysis: French Expert's Claims Ukraine's F-16s and Pilots Won't be 'Up to the Job' Disproved |date=25 April 2024 }}</ref>

A Yugoslavian [[MiG-29]] was shot down by a Dutch F-16AM during the [[Kosovo War]] in 1999.<ref name=Spick_241>{{harvnb|Spick|2000|p=241}}</ref> Belgian and Danish F-16s also participated in joint operations over Kosovo during the war.<ref name=Spick_241/> Dutch, Belgian, Danish, and Norwegian F-16s were deployed during the 2011 intervention in Libya and in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |author=[[Belgian Armed Forces]] |title=Composante Air de la Défense |access-date=19 February 2014 |url=https://www.mil.be/fr/a-propos-de-la-defense/composante-air/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218185301/http://www.mil.be/fr/composante-air |archive-date=18 February 2014}}</ref> In Libya, Norwegian F-16s dropped almost 550 bombs and flew 596 missions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defencetalk.com/norway-withdraws-fighter-jets-from-libya-mission-military-36090/ |title=Norway withdraws fighter jets from Libya mission: military|work=defencetalk.com|access-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325045733/https://www.defencetalk.com/norway-withdraws-fighter-jets-from-libya-mission-military-36090/|archive-date=25 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> some 17% of the total strike missions<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/RUSIInterimLibyaReport.pdf|title=Accidental Heroes : Britain, France and the Libya Operation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010145939/https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/RUSIInterimLibyaReport.pdf|access-date=8 November 2021|archive-date=10 October 2014}}</ref> including the bombing of [[Muammar Gaddafi]]'s headquarters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theforeigner.no/pages/news/norway-involved-in-gaddafi-bombing/ |title=Norway involved in Gaddafi bombing |author=Ramona Tancau |work=theforeigner.no |access-date=2 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007055625/http://theforeigner.no/pages/news/norway-involved-in-gaddafi-bombing/ |archive-date=7 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In late March 2018, Croatia announced its intention to purchase 12 used Israeli F-16C/D "Barak"/"Brakeet" jets, pending U.S. approval.<ref name=croa1>{{cite web|url=https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/27028-government-adopts-final-decision-to-buy-israeli-f-16-jets |title=Government Adopts Final Decision to Buy Israeli F-16 Jets|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404200830/https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/27028-government-adopts-final-decision-to-buy-israeli-f-16-jets|archive-date=4 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Acquiring these F-16s would allow Croatia to retire its aging MiG-21s.<ref name=aatr1>{{cite web |url=http://aa.com.tr/en/europe/croatia-agrees-to-buy-israeli-f-16s-for-500-million/1043736 |title=Croatia agrees to buy Israeli F-16s for $500&nbsp;million |date=26 January 2018 |publisher=Anadolu Agency |access-date=28 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201151030/http://aa.com.tr/en/europe/croatia-agrees-to-buy-israeli-f-16s-for-500-million/1043736 |archive-date=1 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 11 July 2018, Slovakia's government approved the purchase of 14 F-16 Block 70/72 to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-made MiG-29s.<ref name=atc1>{{cite news |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/slovakias-purchase-f-16-fighter-jets/ |title=Slovakia's Government approves purchase of US F-16 fighter jets |access-date=14 July 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214181616/https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/slovakias-purchase-f-16-fighter-jets/ |archive-date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> A contract was signed on 12 December 2018 in Bratislava.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flying-tigers.co.uk/2019/general-dynamics-f-16-fighting-falcon-herpa-new-model-arrivals-and-hobbymaster-new-photos/|title=General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, Herpa and Hobbymaster|date=4 July 2019|website=Flying Tigers|access-date=26 February 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226074235/https://www.flying-tigers.co.uk/2019/general-dynamics-f-16-fighting-falcon-herpa-new-model-arrivals-and-hobbymaster-new-photos/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ukraine===
In May 2023, an international coalition consisting of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark announced their intention to train [[Ukrainian Air Force|Ukrainian]] pilots on the F-16 ahead of possible future deliveries to increase the Ukrainian Air Force capabilities in the current [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russo-Ukrainian War]]. The U.S. confirmed that it would approve the re-export from these countries to Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65649471 |title=Ukraine war: US to support providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine |work=BBC News |date=19 May 2023 |access-date=19 May 2023}}</ref> Denmark has agreed to help train Ukrainians on their usage of the fighter. Denmark's acting Defence Minister [[Troels Lund Poulsen]] said that Denmark "will now be able to move forward for a collective contribution to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/5/20/zelenskky-hails-bidens-decision-on-f-16-jet-training-for-ukraine |title=Zelenskky hails Biden's decision on F-16 jet training for Ukraine |publisher=Aljazeera |date=20 May 2023}}</ref> On 6 July 2023, Romania announced that it will host the future training center after the meeting of the [[Supreme Council of National Defence (Romania)|Supreme Council of National Defense]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defenseromania.ro/romania-devine-oficial-centru-regional-de-f-16-pilotii-romani-ucraineni-si-aliati-vor-fi-pregatiti-aici_623459.html |title=România devine oficial centru regional de F-16. Piloții români, ucraineni și aliați vor fi pregătiți aici |language=ro |work=DefenseRomania |date=6 July 2023}}</ref> During the [[2023 Vilnius summit]], [[F-16 training coalition|a coalition]] was formed consisting of Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/07/11/7410869/ |title=Group of 11 countries forms coalition for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |date=11 July 2023}}</ref> A number of Ukrainian pilots began training in Denmark and the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eight-ukrainian-pilots-begin-f-16-training-denmark-2023-08-22/ |title=Eight Ukrainian pilots begin F-16 training in Denmark |author=Johannes Birkebaek |work=[[Reuters]] |date=22 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/25/politics/ukrainian-pilots-begin-f-16-training-in-us/index.html |title=Ukrainian pilots begin F-16 training in US |first=Oren |last=Liebermann |work=[[CNN]] |date=25 October 2023}}</ref> The [[European F-16 Training Center]], organized by Romania, the Netherlands, and Lockheed Martin through several subcontractors, officially opened on 13 November 2023. It is located at the [[Romanian Air Force]]'s [[RoAF 86th Air Base|86th Air Base]], and Ukrainian pilots are expected to start training there in early 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/romania-debuts-f-16-center-hosts-ukrainian-pilots-for-joint-exercises/ |title=Romania Debuts F-16 Center, Hosts Ukrainian Pilots for Joint Exercises |website=mil.in.ua |date=14 November 2023}}</ref>{{update inline|date=June 2024}} On 17 August 2023, the U.S. approved the transfer of F-16s from the Netherlands and Denmark to Ukraine after the Ukrainian pilots have completed their training.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-approves-sending-f-16s-ukraine-denmark-netherlands-2023-08-17/ |title=US approves sending F-16s to Ukraine from Denmark and Netherlands |author=Steve Holland |author2=Idrees Ali |date=2023-08-17 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=2023-08-18}}</ref> The Netherlands and Denmark have announced that together they will donate up to 61 [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16 Mid-Life Update|F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLU]] fighters to Ukraine once pilot training has been completed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine conflict – Analysis: Dutch and Danish F-16 options for Ukraine |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraine-conflict-analysis-dutch-and-danish-f-16-options-for-ukraine |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Janes.com |date=26 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Sabbagh 2023 a258">{{cite web |last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |title=Netherlands and Denmark to donate up to 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine |website=the Guardian |date=2023-08-20 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/20/netherlands-to-donate-up-to-42-f-16-fighter-jets-to-ukraine |access-date=2023-10-20}}</ref>

On 13 May 2024, Danish Prime Minister [[Mette Frederiksen]] said that "F-16 from Denmark will be in the air over Ukraine within months." Denmark is sending 19 F-16s in total.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-13 |title=F-16 fighters from Denmark will be in Ukraine within month - Danish PM|url=https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/f-16-fighters-from-denmark-will-be-in-ukraine-1715625056.html |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=RBC-Ukraine}}</ref> By the end of July 2024, the first F-16s were delivered to Ukraine.<ref name=Bloomberg>{{cite news|url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-31/ukraine-gets-first-delivery-of-f-16-fighter-jets-after-long-wait|title= Ukraine Receives First F-16 Fighter Jets After Long Wait|work=Bloomberg|access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref>

On 4 August 2024, President Zelensky announced to the public that the F-16 was now in operational service with Ukraine. Zelensky stated at an opening ceremony that: "F-16s are in Ukraine. We did it. I am proud of our guys who are mastering these jets and have already started using them for our country,".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cole |first=Deborah |date=2024-08-04 |title=Ukrainian pilots have started flying F-16s, says Zelenskiy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/04/ukrainian-pilots-have-started-flying-f-16s-says-zelenskiy |access-date=2024-08-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

On 29 August 2024, it was reported that a Ukrainian F-16 had crashed and that the pilot, Oleksiy Mes, was killed while intercepting Russian aerial targets during the [[26 August 2024 Russian strikes on Ukraine]]. The cause is under investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Tarasova-Markina |first1=Daria |last2=Kottasová |first2=Ivana |date=2024-08-29 |title=Exclusive: Top Ukrainian pilot killed when US-made F-16 fighter jet crashed |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/29/europe/ukraine-f16-crashes-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
<!-- 
On 20 August 2023, [[Denmark]] and the [[Netherlands]] announced the joint transfer of up to 61 F-16s to the [[Ukrainian Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Denmark joins Netherlands in offering F-16 jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/denmark-joins-netherlands-in-offering-f-16-jets-to-ukraine-as-zelenskyy-visits-1.6526668 |website=CTV News |date=20 August 2023 |access-date=20 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820221204/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/denmark-joins-netherlands-in-offering-f-16-jets-to-ukraine-as-zelenskyy-visits-1.6526668}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Netherlands and Denmark to donate up to 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/20/netherlands-to-donate-up-to-42-f-16-fighter-jets-to-ukraine |website=The Guardian |date=20 August 2023 |access-date=20 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820223416/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/20/netherlands-to-donate-up-to-42-f-16-fighter-jets-to-ukraine |last1=Sabbagh |first1=Dan }}</ref> Four days later, Norway announced the donation of 5–10 aircraft, depending on how many can be made operational.<ref name=NRK2023-08-24 /> In January 2024, the Netherlands announced the transfer of another 6 F-16s, bringing the total which will be donated by the country to 24.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/02/05/nederland-haalt-f-16s-uit-de-verkoop |title=Nederland haalt F-16's uit de verkoop |trans-title=Netherlands pulls F-16s from sale |language=Dutch |date=5 February 2024 |access-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205135314/https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/02/05/nederland-haalt-f-16s-uit-de-verkoop |archive-date=5 February 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2024, Belgium pledged 30 F-16 aircraft, bringing the total number of F-16s pledged to Ukraine by its allies to 85.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/05/28/the-ukrainian-air-force-wanted-four-squadrons-of-f-16s-its-finally-getting-them/?sh=690fb9e57a36 |title=The Ukrainian Air Force Wanted Four Squadrons Of F-16s. It's Finally Getting Them. |website=[[Forbes]] |date=28 May 2024 |access-date=7 June 2024 }}</ref> The first F-16s were delivered by the end of July 2024.<ref name=Bloomberg>{{cite news|url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-31/ukraine-gets-first-delivery-of-f-16-fighter-jets-after-long-wait|title= Ukraine Receives First F-16 Fighter Jets After Long Wait|work=Bloomberg|access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> Text moved from Operators section. This should be added and/or combined with other text in this subsection. -->

On 30 August 2024, the [[Commander of the Air Force (Ukraine)|Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force]], [[Mykola Oleshchuk]], was dismissed by President Zelenskyy and replaced by Lieutenant General [[Anatolii Kryvonozhko]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=President Zelensky sacks Ukraine air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m0jvd4m3zo |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=BBC|language=en-GB}}</ref> which was partially attributed to "indications" that the F-16 that crashed on 26 August was shot down in "a friendly fire incident". Ukrainian parliamentarian [[Maryana Bezuhla]] and Oleshchuk had previously argued over the cause of the F-16 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Zelensky Dismisses the Head of the Air Force Days After F-16 Crash |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/world/europe/ukraine-f16-crash.html |access-date=2024-08-31 |author=  Matthew Mpoke Bigg|author2= Eric Schmitt |website=New York Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Ukrainian president Zelenskyy fires air force commander after fatal F-16 crash |url= https://www.npr.org/2024/08/31/g-s1-20449/ukraine-president-zelenskyy-fires-air-force-commander-f16-crash |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=NPR |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Others===
[[File:Iraqi Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over an undisclosed location July 18 2019.jpg|thumb|right|[[Iraqi Air Force]] F-16C]]
[[Venezuela Air Force]] have flown the F-16 on combat missions.{{sfn|Senior|2002|p=92}}

The [[Royal Moroccan Air Force]] and the [[Royal Bahraini Air Force]] each lost a single F-16C, both shot down by [[Houthi]] anti-aircraft fire during the [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]], respectively on 11 May 2015 and on 30 December 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://warisboring.com/the-houthis-do-it-yourself-air-defenses-3/ |title=The Houthis' Do-It-Yourself Air Defenses |date=23 January 2018 |access-date=8 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327085719/https://warisboring.com/the-houthis-do-it-yourself-air-defenses-3/ |archive-date=27 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Potential operators===

====Bulgaria====
The [[Bulgarian Air Force]] expects delivery of the first eight new F-16 Block 70s by 2025 and the second batch of eight F-16 Block 70s is expected to arrive in 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |last=news.bg |date=2023-01-29 |title=Първите 8 F-16 за България вече са в монтаж, другите се очакват през 2027 г. |url=https://news.bg/politics/parvite-8-f-16-za-balgariya-veche-sa-v-montazh-drugite-se-ochakvat-prez-2027-g.html |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=News.bg |language=bulgarian}}</ref>

====Argentina====
On 11 October 2023, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Security Mira Resnick confirmed to [[Jorge Argüello]], [[Argentina|Argentinean]] ambassador to the US, that the State Department has approved the transfer of 38 F-16s from Denmark.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2023-news-aviation-aerospace/october/9293-us-state-department-clears-the-transfer-of-38-f-16-viper-fighter-jets-from-denmark-to-argentina.html |title=US State Department clears transfer of 38 F-16 fighters from Denmark to Argentina |website=airrecognition.com |date=13 October 2023}}</ref>

====Philippines====
On 24 June 2021, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved the [[Philippines]]' purchase of 12 F-16s worth an estimated US$2.43 billion. However, the Philippines has yet to complete this deal due to financial constraints with negotiations ongoing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Philippines – F-16 Block 70/72 Aircraft |url=https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/philippines-f-16-block-7072-aircraft |access-date=2024-02-15 |website= Defense Security Cooperation Agency (dsca.mil)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dangwal |first=Ashish |date=2023-12-23 |title=Philippines Seeks Fighting Falcons To Fight China; Negotiates With US To Acquire 'Combat Proven' F-16 Jets |url=https://www.eurasiantimes.com/under-attack-from-china-philippines-in-talks-with-us-to/ |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Civilian operators===

====Top Aces====
In January 2021, Canadian defence contractor [[Top Aces]] announced that they had taken delivery of the first civilian owned F-16s to their US HQ in Mesa, Arizona.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Aces Brings 1st Israeli F-16s Back to the US |date=19 February 2021 |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/top-aces-brings-1st-israeli-f-16s-back-to-the-us/}}</ref> In an approval process that had taken years, they had purchased a batch of 29 F-16A/B ''Netz'' from the [[Israeli Air Force]], including several that had taken part in [[Operation Opera]]. A year later, the first of these aircraft had finished the extensive AAMS mission system upgrades including AESA radar, HMCS, ECM, and Tactical Datalink. In late 2022 they began regular operations flying as contracted aggressors for USAF F-22 and F-35 squadrons in Luke AFB and Eglin AFB, as well as supporting exercises in other USAF and USMC bases.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Aces' F-16 fleet wins USAF contract for adversary air |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/top-aces-private-f-16-fleet-wins-usaf-contract-for-adversary-air/150198.article}}</ref>

==Variants==
{{main|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants}}
[[File:ROCAF F-16B 6826 Taxiing at Hualien Air Force Base 20170923b.jpg|thumb|A Republic of China Air Force F-16B landing at [[Hualien Air Force Base]]]]
[[File:Take-off F-16B Venezuela (11037665315).jpg|thumb|[[Venezuelan Air Force]] F-16B]]
[[File:F-35 Divertless Supersonic Inlet F-16.jpg|thumb|Testing of the F-35 [[diverterless supersonic inlet]] on an F-16 testbed. The original intake with [[Splitter plate (aeronautics)|splitter plate]] shown in the top image.]]

F-16 models are denoted by increasing block numbers to denote upgrades. The blocks cover both single- and two-seat versions. A variety of software, hardware, systems, weapons compatibility, and structural enhancements have been instituted over the years to gradually upgrade production models and [[retrofit]] delivered aircraft.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

While many F-16s were produced according to these block designs, there have been many other variants with [[F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#Major modification variants|significant changes]], usually because of [[F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#Major upgrade programs|modification programs]]. Other changes have resulted in role-specialization, such as the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#Special mission variants|close air support and reconnaissance variants]]. Several models were also developed to [[F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#Technology demonstrators, and test variants|test new technology]]. The F-16 design also inspired the design of other aircraft, which are considered [[F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#Derivative fighters|derivatives]]. Older F-16s are being converted into [[F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#QF-16|QF-16 drone targets]].<ref name="QF-16">{{cite web |publisher=Boeing |title=Boeing Receives 1st F-16 for Conversion into QF-16 Aerial Drone |date=27 May 2010 |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2010-05-27-Boeing-Receives-1st-F-16-for-Conversion-into-QF-16-Aerial-Drone |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601034224/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1229 |archive-date=1 June 2010}}</ref>

; {{visible anchor|F-16A/B}}: The F-16A (single seat) and F-16B (two seat) were initial production variants. These variants include the Block 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 versions. Block 15 was the first major change to the F-16 with larger horizontal stabilizers. It is the most numerous of all F-16 variants with 983 produced.<ref name="F-16.net - the ultimate F-16, F-35">{{cite web | url=https://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article3.html | title=F-16.net - the ultimate F-16, F-35 and F-22 reference }}</ref> Around 300 earlier USAF F-16A and B aircraft were upgraded to the Block 15 [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16 Mid-Life Update|Mid-Life Update]] (MLU) standard, getting analogous capability to F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hehs |first=Eric |date=2014-02-19 |title=History Of The F-16 Fighting Falcon |url=https://www.codeonemagazine.com/article.html?item_id=23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402092757/https://www.codeonemagazine.com/article.html?item_id=23 |archive-date=2023-04-02 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Code One Magazine}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Gareth |date=12 October 2023 |title=Ukraine conflict: Belgium joins Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands in promising F-16s to Kyiv |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraine-conflict-belgium-joins-denmark-norway-the-netherlands-in-promising-f-16s-to-kyiv |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Janes.com |language=en}}</ref> From 1987 a total of 214 Block 15 aircraft were upgraded to OCU (Operational Capability Upgrade) standard, with engines, structural and electronic improvements, and from 1988 all Block 15 were directly build to OCU specifications.<ref name="F-16.net - the ultimate F-16, F-35"/> Between 1989 and 1992 a total of 271 Block 15OCU airframes (246 F-16A and 25 F-16B) were converted at the Ogden Air Logistic Center to the ADF (Air Defense Fighter) variant, with improved IFF system, radio and radar, the ability to carry advanced Beyond Visual Range missiles and the addition of a side-mounted 150,000 candlepower spotlight for visual night identification of intruders. Originally intended for Cold-War air defense of the continental U.S. airspace, with the fall of the Berlin Wall the ADF lost a clear mission, and most were mothballed starting from 1994. Some mothballed ADFs were later exported to Jordan (12 -A and 4 -B models) and Thailand (15 -A and 1 -B), while 30 -A and 4 -B models were leased to Italy from 2003 to 2012<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article14.html | title=F-16.net - the ultimate F-16, F-35 and F-22 reference }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fanpage.it/attualita/addio-agli-f-16-restituiti-agli-usa-dopo-9-anni-di-leasing/ | title=Addio agli F-16, restituiti agli USA dopo 9 anni di leasing (VIDEO) | date=23 May 2012 }}</ref>

[[File:190320-F-BU402-0064.jpg|thumb|An F-16D assigned to the 416th Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center, flies over the Mojave Desert near Edwards AFB, California]]
; F-16C/D: The F-16C (single seat) and F-16D (two seat) variants entered production in 1984. The first C/D version was the Block 25 with improved cockpit avionics and radar which added all-weather capability with [[Beyond-visual-range missile|beyond-visual-range]] (BVR) AIM-7 and AIM-120 air-air missiles. Block 30/32, 40/42, and 50/52 were later C/D versions.<ref name=Darling_p58-62>{{harvnb|Darling|2003|pp=58–62}}</ref> The F-16C/D had a unit cost of US$18.8&nbsp;million (1998).<ref name=AF_fact_sh/> [[Operating cost|Operational cost]] per flight hour has been estimated at $7,000<ref>{{cite news |last1=Saurabh |first1=Joshi |title=Gripen operational cost lowest of all western fighters: Jane's |date=4 July 2012 |publisher=Stratpost |access-date=4 July 2012 |url=https://stratpost.com/gripen-operational-cost-lowest-of-all-western-fighters-janes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216090306/http://www.stratpost.com/gripen-operational-cost-lowest-of-all-western-fighters-janes |archive-date=16 February 2014}}</ref> to $22,470<ref>{{cite report |id=DD-A&T(Q&A)823–198 |date=31 December 2011 |last1=Venlet |first1=David |title=F-35 Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) |page=84 |publisher=Defense Acquisition Management Information Retrieval |access-date=27 August 2012 |url=https://www.acqnotes.com/Attachments/F-35%20Selected%20Acquisition%20Report%20Dec%2011.pdf |url-status=live |type=pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513233905/http://www.defense-aerospace.com/dae/articles/communiques/F-35Dec11FinalSAR-3-29-2012.pdf |archive-date=13 May 2012}}</ref> or $24,000, depending on the calculation method.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trimble |first1=Steven |title=EXCLUSIVE: US Air Force combat fleet's true operational costs revealed |date=26 August 2011 |publisher=[[Flight International]] |access-date=27 August 2012 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2011/08/exclusive-us-air-force-combat.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129021417/http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2011/08/exclusive-us-air-force-combat.html |archive-date=29 January 2012}}</ref>{{Unreliable source? |date=April 2023 |reason=Blog source no longer available.}}

[[File:F-16e block60.jpg|thumb|[[United Arab Emirates Air Force]] F-16E Block 60 with the IFTS pod, CFTs, and various external armament taking off]]
; F-16E/F: The F-16E (single seat) and F-16F (two seat) are newer F-16 Block 60 variants based on the F-16C/D Block 50/52. The [[United Arab Emirates]] invested heavily in their development. They feature improved [[AN/APG-80]] [[active electronically scanned array]] (AESA) radar, [[infrared search and track]] (IRST), avionics, [[conformal fuel tank]]s (CFTs), and the more powerful [[General Electric F110]]-GE-132 engine.<ref name=Darling_p62-3>{{harvnb|Darling|2003|pp=62–63}}</ref><ref name=fg1>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/11/11/219363/dubai-2007-uae-shows-off-its-most-advanced-falcons.html |title=Dubai 2007: UAE shows off its most advanced Falcons |publisher=Reed Business Information Limited |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402230254/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/11/11/219363/dubai-2007-uae-shows-off-its-most-advanced-falcons.html |archive-date=2 April 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="def">{{cite web|url=https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-uaes-f-16-block-60-desert-falcon-fleet-04538/ |title=Top Falcons: The UAE's F-16 Block 60/61 Fighters|work=Defense Industry Daily|date=19 July 2018|access-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826043827/https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-uaes-f-16-block-60-desert-falcon-fleet-04538/|archive-date=26 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|The [[F-16XL]] was originally referred to as "F-16E", with "F-16F" reserved for a variant, however this was dropped after the decision was made to procure the [[F-15E Strike Eagle]] instead.<ref>{{harvnb|Darling|2003|p=63}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Piccirillo |first1=Albert C. |title=Elegance in Flight: A Comprehensive History of the F-16XL Experimental Prototype and its Role in NASA Flight Research |date=2014 |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-1-62683-022-6 |page=143}}</ref>|group=N}}

; F-16IN: For the [[Indian MRCA competition]] for the [[Indian Air Force]], Lockheed Martin offered the ''F-16IN Super Viper''.<ref>Pandey, Vinay. [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/F-16-maker-Lockheed-mounts-an-India-campaign/articleshow/2706209.cms "F-16 maker Lockheed mounts an India campaign."]  ''[[Times of India]]'', 17 January 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2011.</ref> The F-16IN is based on the F-16E/F Block 60 and features conformal fuel tanks; AN/APG-80 AESA radar, GE F110-GE-132A engine with [[FADEC]] controls; electronic warfare suite and [[Infra-red search and track|infrared search and track (IRST)]] unit; updated glass cockpit; and a helmet-mounted cueing system.<ref name="F-16IN page">{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f16/ |title=F-16IN page |access-date=11 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221041043/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f16/ |archive-date=21 February 2009 |publisher=[[Lockheed Martin]]}}</ref> As of 2011, the F-16IN is no longer in the competition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trimble |first1=Stephen |title=Tellis: US fighters lost MMRCA contract due to technical faults |date=3 June 2011 |publisher=[[Flight International]] |access-date=9 September 2011 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/06/03/357566/tellis-us-fighters-lost-mmrca-contract-due-to-technical.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903164144/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/06/03/357566/tellis-us-fighters-lost-mmrca-contract-due-to-technical.html |archive-date=3 September 2011}}</ref>{{Unreliable source? |date=April 2023 |reason=Blog source no longer available}} In 2016, Lockheed Martin offered the new F-16 Block 70/72 version to India under the [[Make in India]] program.<ref name="block70/72">{{cite news |title=In exclusive deal, India to get 'most advanced' F-16 fighter jets by 2019–20|url=http://m.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/in-exclusive-deal-india-to-get-most-advanced-f16-fighter-jets-by-201920/article8835851.ece|access-date=11 July 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|date=11 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lockheedmartin.com/us/who-we-are/global/india.html |title=F-16 Block 70 Under Make in India|website=lockheedmartin.com|access-date=6 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814172356/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/who-we-are/global/india.html|archive-date=14 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, the Indian government offered to purchase 200 (potentially up to 300) fighters in a deal worth $13–15bn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/govt-offers-to-buy-200-foreign-fighter-jets-if-they-are-made-in-india/articleshow/55130201.cms |title=Govt offers to buy 200 foreign fighter jets if they are Made in India |access-date=21 June 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609023740/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/govt-offers-to-buy-200-foreign-fighter-jets-if-they-are-made-in-india/articleshow/55130201.cms |archive-date=9 June 2017}}</ref> As of 2017, Lockheed Martin has agreed to manufacture F-16 Block 70 fighters in India with the Indian defense firm Tata Advanced Systems Limited. The new production line could be used to build F-16s for India and for exports.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/06/us-agrees-to-build-f-16-fighter-jets-in-india/ |title=Lockheed Martin Agrees to Build F-16 Fighter Jets in India|first=Franz-Stefan |last=Gady|access-date=21 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620172516/https://thediplomat.com/2017/06/us-agrees-to-build-f-16-fighter-jets-in-india/|archive-date=20 June 2017|url-status=live|website=thediplomat.com}}</ref>

; F-16IQ: In September 2010, the [[Defense Security Cooperation Agency]] informed the [[United States Congress]] of a possible Foreign Military Sale of 18 F-16IQ aircraft along with the associated equipment and services to the newly reformed [[Iraqi Air Force]]. The total value of sale was estimated at {{US$|4.2 billion}}.<ref>{{cite press release |last1=Taylor |first1=Charles |last2=Ebner |first2=Paul |title=IRAQ – F-16 AIRCRAFT |date=15 September 2010 |publisher=[[Defense Security Cooperation Agency]] |id=10-23 |access-date=4 February 2011 |url=https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/iraq-f-16-aircraft-0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928173307/http://www.dsca.osd.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2010/iraq_10-23.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2010}}</ref> The Iraqi Air Force purchased those 18 jets in the second half of 2011, then later exercised an option to purchase 18 more for a total of 36 F-16IQs.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Tyler |last=Rogoway |date=2014-05-07 |title=Iraq's F-16s Have A Cool Paint Job But Antiquated Weapons |url=https://jalopnik.com/iraqs-f-16s-have-a-cool-paint-job-but-antiquated-weapon-1573085398 |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Jalopnik |language=en}}</ref> {{as of|2021}}, the Iraqi had lost two in accidents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=2021-01-07 |title=The Iraqi Air Force's F-16 Fleet Is On The Brink Of Collapse Despite Showy Flybys |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38594/the-iraqi-air-forces-f-16-fleet-is-on-the-brink-of-collapse-despite-showy-flybys |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The War Zone |language=en}}</ref> By 2023, the US government reported that these jets were Iraq's most capable airborne platforms with a 66 percent mission-capable rate. Their maintenance was being supported by private contractors. At the same time, Iraq's Russian-made systems were suffering from sanctions imposed in the wake of [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2023-05-03 |title=Iraq's F-16 Fleet Surges In Importance Thanks In Part To War In Ukraine |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/iraqs-f-16-fleet-surges-in-importance-thanks-in-part-to-war-in-ukraine |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The War Zone |language=en}}</ref>

; F-16N: The F-16N was an adversary aircraft operated by the [[United States Navy]]. It is based on the standard F-16C/D Block 30, is powered by the General Electric F110-GE-100 engine, and is capable of [[supercruise]].<ref>{{cite web |title=What it Was Like Flying and Fighting the F-16N Viper, Topgun's Legendary Hotrod|date=9 May 2016 |url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3383/what-it-was-like-flying-and-fighting-the-f-16n-viper-topguns-legendary-hotrod|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218145615/http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3383/what-it-was-like-flying-and-fighting-the-f-16n-viper-topguns-legendary-hotrod|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The F-16N has a strengthened wing and is capable of carrying an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pod on the starboard wingtip. Although the single-seat F-16Ns and twin-seat (T)F-16Ns are based on the early-production small-inlet Block 30 F-16C/D airframe, they retain the APG-66 radar of the F-16A/B. In addition, the aircraft's {{nowrap|20 mm}} cannon has been removed, as has the airborne self-protection jammer (ASPJ), and they carry no missiles. Their EW fit consists of an ALR-69 radar warning receiver (RWR) and an ALE-40 chaff/flare dispenser. The F-16Ns and (T)F-16Ns have the standard Air Force tailhook and undercarriage and are not aircraft carrier–capable. Production totaled 26 airframes, of which 22 are single-seat F-16Ns and 4 are twin-seat TF-16Ns. The initial batch of aircraft was in service between 1988 and 1998. At that time, hairline cracks were discovered in several bulkheads, and the Navy did not have the resources to replace them, so the aircraft were eventually retired, with one aircraft sent to the collection of the [[National Naval Aviation Museum]] at [[NAS Pensacola]], Florida, and the remainder placed in storage at [[Davis-Monthan AFB]]. These aircraft were later replaced by embargoed ex-Pakistani F-16s in 2003. The original inventory of F-16Ns was previously operated by adversary squadrons at [[NAS Oceana]], Virginia; [[NAS Key West]], Florida; and the former [[NAS Miramar]], California. The current F-16A/B aircraft are operated by the [[Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center]] at [[NAS Fallon]], Nevada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article22.html |title=F-16 Versions – (T)F-16N|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017232819/http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article22.html|archive-date=17 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/nas_fallon/about/nsawc.html |title=Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center|access-date=13 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222307/http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/nas_fallon/about/nsawc.html|archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1150&ct=1 |title=The US Navy – Fact File: F-16A/B Fighting Falcon Fighter|author=Petty, Dan |access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814052614/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1150&ct=1|archive-date=14 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

; F-16V: At the 2012 Singapore Air Show, Lockheed Martin unveiled plans for the new F-16V variant with the V suffix for its Viper nickname. It features an [[AN/APG-83]] [[active electronically scanned array]] (AESA) radar, a new mission computer and electronic warfare suite, an automated ground collision avoidance system, and various cockpit improvements; this package is an option on current production F-16s and can be retrofitted to most in service F-16s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-lockheed-martin-announces-f-16v-development-368323/ |title=Singapore: Lockheed Martin announces F-16V development. |publisher=Reed Business Information Limited|access-date=13 September 2014|date=15 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822145007/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-lockheed-martin-announces-f-16v-development-368323/|archive-date=22 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense-news/2015/10/21/lockheeds-new-f-16v-flies-advanced-aesa-radar/74319238/ |title=Lockheed's New F-16V Flies With Advanced AESA Radar |last1=Seligman |first1=Lara |date= 21 October 2015 |website= Defense News |access-date=7 May 2016}}</ref> First flight took place 21 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-10-23/first-f-16v-developed-taiwan-requirement-takes-flight |title=First F-16V Developed for Taiwan Requirement Takes Flight|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233505/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-10-23/first-f-16v-developed-taiwan-requirement-takes-flight|archive-date=8 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Taiwanese media reported that Taiwan and the U.S. both initially invested in the development of the F-16V.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Salmonsen |first1=Renée |title=Taiwan earns money off Korean fighter jet purchase |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3369953 |work=Taiwan News |date=23 February 2018 |access-date=7 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607200632/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3369953 |archive-date=7 June 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Upgrades to Taiwan's F-16 fleet began in January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/01/taiwan-begins-upgrade-of-144-f-16-fighter-jets/ |title=Taiwan Begins Upgrade of 144 F-16 Fighter Jets|first=Franz-Stefan |last=Gady|work=The Diplomat|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181043/https://thediplomat.com/2017/01/taiwan-begins-upgrade-of-144-f-16-fighter-jets/|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The first country to confirm the purchase of 16 new F-16 Block 70/72 was Bahrain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bahrain-order-keeps-f-16-production-ticking-over-449705/ |title=Bahrain order keeps F-16 production ticking over|date=25 June 2018|access-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720002739/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bahrain-order-keeps-f-16-production-ticking-over-449705/|archive-date=20 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2018/06/25/lockheed-lands-first-customer-for-its-new-f-16.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo |title=Lockheed lands first customer for its new F-16 fighter jet |website=The Business Journals |access-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308095555/https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2018/06/25/lockheed-lands-first-customer-for-its-new-f-16.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo |archive-date=8 March 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Greece]] announced the upgrade of 84 F-16C/D Block 52+ and Block 52+ Advanced (Block 52M) to the latest V (Block 70/72) variant in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/government-greece-upgrade-f-16-aircraft-f-16-block-v-configuration/ |title=Government of Greece – Upgrade of F-16 Aircraft to F-16 Block V Configuration |publisher=Defence Security Cooperation Agency |language=en-US |access-date=23 December 2021 |archive-date=23 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223084934/https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/government-greece-upgrade-f-16-aircraft-f-16-block-v-configuration |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/f-16/f-16-greece.html |title=F-16V for the Hellenic Air Force |website=Lockheed Martin |date=2 March 2018 |language=en-US |access-date=23 December 2021 |archive-date=23 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223084925/https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/f-16/f-16-greece.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Slovakia announced on 11 July 2018 that it intends to purchase 14 F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/slovakia-to-purchase-14-lockheed-martin-f-16vs-450130/ |title=Slovakia to purchase 14 Lockheed Martin F-16s |date=12 July 2018 |first=Reim |last=Garrett |website=FlightGlobal |access-date=12 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713205639/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/slovakia-to-purchase-14-lockheed-martin-f-16vs-450130/ |archive-date=13 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/11/18/with-f-16-buy-slovakia-cutting-off-russian-hardware/ |title=With F-16 buy, Slovakia 'cutting off' Russian hardware |last=Gould |first=Joe |date=18 November 2018 |website=Defense News |language=en-US |access-date=17 January 2019 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181120160527/https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/11/18/with-f-16-buy-slovakia-cutting-off-russian-hardware/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lockheed Martin has redesignated the F-16V Block 70 as the "F-21" in its offering for India's fighter requirement.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aero-india-f16v-rechristened-f-21-for-new-delhi-455954/ |title = AERO INDIA: F16V rechristened 'F-21' for New Delhi fighter deal|date = 20 February 2019|access-date = 23 February 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224144/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aero-india-f16v-rechristened-f-21-for-new-delhi-455954/|archive-date = 21 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Taiwan's [[Republic of China Air Force]] announced on 19 March 2019 that it formally requested the purchase of an additional 66 F-16V fighters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pressured-by-china-s-military-updates-taiwan-asks-us-for-more-weapons/4842487.html |title=Pressured by China's Military Updates, Taiwan Asks US for More Weapons |date=22 March 2019 |access-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407235541/https://www.voanews.com/a/pressured-by-china-s-military-updates-taiwan-asks-us-for-more-weapons/4842487.html |archive-date=7 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Donald Trump|Trump]] administration approved the sale on 20 August 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/16/world/asia/taiwan-f16.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220102/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/16/world/asia/taiwan-f16.html |archive-date=2 January 2022 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Trump Administration Approves F-16 Fighter Jet Sales to Taiwan|last=Wong|first=Edward |date=16 August 2019 |work=The New York Times|access-date=19 August 2019 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/taipei-economic-and-cultural-representative-office-united-states-tecro-f-16cd-block |title=Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) – F-16C/D Block 70 Aircraft and Related Equipment and Support |website=dsca.mil |access-date=21 August 2019 |archive-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826201111/https://dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/taipei-economic-and-cultural-representative-office-united-states-tecro-f-16cd-block |url-status=live }}</ref> On 14 August 2020, Lockheed Martin was awarded a [[United States dollar|US$]]62&nbsp;billion contract by the US DoD<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2313931/ |title=Contracts For Aug. 14, 2020 AIR FORCE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815133519/https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2313931/ |archive-date=15 August 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> that includes 66 new F-16s at US$8&nbsp;billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=8000000000|start_year=2020}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) for Taiwan.<ref>{{cite web|title=66 new fighter jets to arrive in Taiwan by 2026|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3815244|website=[[Taiwan News]]|date=12 November 2019|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919125520/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3815244|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:QF-16.JPG|thumb|USAF QF-16A, on its first unmanned test flight, over the Gulf of Mexico]]
; QF-16: In September 2013, [[Boeing]] and the U.S. Air Force tested an unmanned F-16, with two US Air Force pilots controlling the airplane from the ground as it flew from [[Tyndall Air Force Base|Tyndall AFB]] over the [[Gulf of Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Forget-drones---F-16-makes-unmanned-flight/tabid/412/articleID/314739/Default.aspx |title= Forget drones – F-16 makes unmanned flight|publisher= 3 news|access-date= 13 September 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131104021338/http://www.3news.co.nz/Forget-drones---F-16-makes-unmanned-flight/tabid/412/articleID/314739/Default.aspx|archive-date= 4 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/467196/first-unmanned-qf-16-flight-takes-place.aspx |title= First unmanned QF-16 flight takes place |date= 24 September 2013 |publisher= AF |access-date= 13 September 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140915031154/http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/467196/first-unmanned-qf-16-flight-takes-place.aspx |archive-date= 15 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boeing.com/defense/support/qf-16/index.page |title=Boeing|access-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101012154/http://www.boeing.com/defense/support/qf-16/index.page|archive-date=1 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Related developments===
;[[Vought Model 1600]]: Proposed naval variant
;[[General Dynamics F-16XL]]: 1980s technology demonstrator
;[[General Dynamics NF-16D VISTA]]: 1990s experimental fighter
;[[Mitsubishi F-2]]: 1990s Japanese multirole fighter based on the F-16
{{clear}}

==Operators==
[[File:F-16 Operators 2024-4-6.svg|thumb|Operators: {{legend|#0B60D4|Current}}
{{legend|#DC0023|Former}}
{{legend|#333333|Future}}
|alt=World map showing F-16 operators. Current operators are the US, Venezuela, Chile, Portugal, Morocco, The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Greece, Turkey, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Former operators are Norway and Italy. Future operators are Argentina, Slovakia, and Bulgaria.]]
[[File:F-16C block 52+ fighter jet, Hellenic Air Force (November 2010).jpg|thumb|F-16C Block 52 of the [[Hellenic Air Force]] with conformal fuel tanks and Advanced [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]] (AIFF)]]
{{main|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon operators}}

As of 2024, there have been 2,145 F-16s in active service around the world.<ref name="Lock Ready">{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2010/july/LockheedMartinF-16ReadyFo.html |title=Lockheed Martin F-16 Is Ready for the Future As The World's Most Advanced 4th Generation Fighter |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815135515/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2010/july/LockheedMartinF-16ReadyFo.html |archive-date=15 August 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morales |first=Jowi |date=2024-06-29 |title=How Many Fighter Jets Does Ukraine Have: What Kind Are They? |url=https://www.slashgear.com/1608075/how-many-fighter-jets-ukraine-what-kind/ |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=SlashGear |language=en-US}}</ref>

{{colbegin|colwidth=20em}}
*{{BHR}}
*{{BEL}}
*{{CHI}}
<!-- *{{CRO}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Croatia to Buy F-16 Jets from Israel in a $500M Deal |url=http://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/33654 |website=israeldefense.co.il |publisher=IsraelDefense |access-date=3 August 2018 |language=en |date=29 March 2018}}</ref> -->
*{{EGY}}
*{{GRE}}
*{{IDN}}
*{{IRQ}}
*{{ISR}}
*{{JOR}}
*{{MAR}}
*{{OMA}}
*{{PAK}}
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*{{ROM}}
*{{SGP}}
*{{SVK}}<!-- On 12 December 2018, the contract to acquire 14 F-16 Block 70/72s was officially signed by Slovakian Minister of Defense Peter Gajdos. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2022. --><ref>{{cite web |title=Slovakia's Government approves purchase of US F-16 fighter jets |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/slovakias-purchase-f-16-fighter-jets/ |website=Air Force Technology |access-date=17 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214181616/https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/slovakias-purchase-f-16-fighter-jets/ |archive-date=14 December 2018 |date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Slovakia inks deal to buy 14 F-16s from US Lockheed Martin |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/slovakia-inks-deal-to-buy-14-f-16s-from-us-lockheed-martin/2018/12/12/bbf396d6-fe13-11e8-a17e-162b712e8fc2_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=17 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212174718/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/slovakia-inks-deal-to-buy-14-f-16s-from-us-lockheed-martin/2018/12/12/bbf396d6-fe13-11e8-a17e-162b712e8fc2_story.html |archive-date=12 December 2018 |location=Bratislava, Slovakia |date=12 December 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{KOR}}
*{{TWN}}
*{{THA}}
*{{TUR}}
*{{UKR}}
*{{UAE}}
*{{USA}}
*{{VEN}}
{{Colend}}<!-- Further details covered in [[F-16 Fighting Falcon operators]]. -->

===Former operators===
*{{DEN}} – [[Royal Danish Air Force]] sold 24 F-16s to [[Argentine Air Force]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNeil |first=Harry |date=2024-03-27 |title=Denmark strikes deal to offload 24 F-16 fighter jets to Argentina |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/denmark-strikes-deal-to-offload-24-f-16-fighter-jets-to-argentina/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Airforce Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> Donating rest of the fleet of 19 F-16s to [[Ukrainian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/denmark-f-16-ukraine-fleet-decommissioned-1892643|title=NATO Ally Confirms F-16 to Ukraine as 'Entire Fleet' Decommissioned|work=[[Newsweek]]|first=Daniel|last=Orton|date=April 22, 2024|access-date=June 6, 2024}}</ref>
*{{ITA}} – [[Italian Air Force]] used up to 30 F-16As and 4 F-16Bs of the Block 15 ADF variant, leased from the [[United States Air Force]], from 2003 to 2012.<ref>Shamim, Asif. [http://www.f-16.net/news_article4581.html "Italian F-16 'Peace Caesar' program comes to an end."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603043901/http://www.f-16.net/news_article4581.html |date=3 June 2012}} F-16.net, 24 May 2012.</ref>
*{{NLD}} – [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] sold 6 F-16s to [[Royal Jordanian Air Force]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruitenberg |first=Rudy |date=2024-02-05 |title=Netherlands halts F-16 sale to US firm, will send to Ukraine instead |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/02/05/netherlands-halts-f-16-sale-to-us-firm-will-send-to-ukraine-instead/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Defense News |language=en}}</ref> and 36 F-16s to [[Chilean Air Force]] in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=F-16.net - The ultimate F-16, F-35 and F-22 reference |url=https://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article8.html#:~:text=Introduction,them%20upgraded%20to%20MLU%20standard. |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=www.f-16.net}}</ref> Donating rest of the fleet of 42 aircraft to Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |date=2023-08-20 |title=Netherlands and Denmark to donate up to 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/20/netherlands-to-donate-up-to-42-f-16-fighter-jets-to-ukraine |access-date=2024-06-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
*{{NOR}} – [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] (RNoAF) on 6 January 2022, Norway announced that all F-16s had been retired and replaced with the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/norway-retires-f-16-as-f-35-takes-on-national-air-defence#:~:text=Norway%20has%20retired%20the%20Lockheed,from%20the%20beginning%20of%202022.&text=Although%20the%20F%2D16%20performed,will%20do%20so%20from%20Evenes.|title=Norway retires F-16 as F-35 takes on national air defence|date=7 January 2022 |access-date=5 February 2022|archive-date=23 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423025630/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/norway-retires-f-16-as-f-35-takes-on-national-air-defence#:~:text=Norway%20has%20retired%20the%20Lockheed,from%20the%20beginning%20of%202022.&text=Although%20the%20F%2D16%20performed,will%20do%20so%20from%20Evenes.|url-status=live}}</ref> The RNoAF sold 32 of their F-16s to [[Romanian Air Force]], with the remaining operational aircraft being donated to Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Norway signs F-16-contract with Romania |date=4 November 2022 |url=https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/norge-har-inngatt-kontrakt-om-salg-av-f-16-jagerfly-til-romania/id2945901/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Norway signs €388m deal with Romania to sell 32 F-16 fighter jets |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/norway-deal-romania-32-f16/ |website=Airforce-technology|date=7 November 2022 }}</ref><ref name=NRK2023-08-24 >{{cite news |last1=Ulvin |first1=Philippe Bédos |last2=Sandven |first2=Synne Malen |last3=Kruse |first3=Jan Espen |last4=Uleberg |first4=Ingrid |date=2023-08-24 |title=Zelenskyj vil ha fredssamtaler i Norge |trans-title=Zelenskyj wants peace talks in Norway |url=https://www.nrk.no/urix/norge-gir-f-16-jagerfly_-_-en-historisk-avgjorelse-1.16527948 |language=NO |work=[[NRK]] |location=[[Kyiv]]/[[Oslo]] |access-date=2023-08-24}}</ref>

===Future operators===
*{{ARG}} – In 2024, Argentina bought 24 F-16AM/BM from [[Denmark]], beating a bid to acquire [[CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder|JF-17s]] from China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Argentina chooses US-built F-16 fighters over Chinese JF-17s |url=https://en.mercopress.com/2024/01/29/argentina-chooses-us-built-f-16-fighters-over-chinese-jf-17s |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=MercoPress |language=en}}</ref>
*{{BUL}} – On 3 June 2019, the US State Department approved the possible sale of 8 F-16 Block 70s to Bulgaria.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beech |first1=Eric |title=State Department OKs possible sale of F-16 fighters to Bulgaria |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-bulgaria-defense/state-department-oks-possible-sale-of-f-16-fighters-to-bulgaria-idUSKCN1T42QK |publisher=Reuters |date=4 June 2019}}</ref> On 26 July the deal was approved by the Bulgarian parliament, and President [[Rumen Radev]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Dominic |title= Bulgarian parliament clears F-16V buy for second time |date=30 July 2019 |website=Flightglobal |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bulgarian-parliament-clears-f-16v-buy-for-second-tim-459988/ |access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref> In November 2022, the purchase of a further 8 F-16 Block 70 fighters, spares, weapons and other systems was approved for delivery in 2027.<ref name="2022-11-05_DN">Adamowski, Jaroslaw. [https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/11/04/bulgarian-parliament-votes-to-buy-f-16s-under-13-billion-deal/ "Bulgarian parliament votes to buy F-16s under $1.3 billion deal"]. Defense News, 2022-11-05.</ref>

==Notable accidents and incidents==
{{see also|United States Air Force Thunderbirds#Accidents}}
[[File:Crash.arp.600pix.jpg|thumb|thumbtime=2|A [[U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds]] pilot ejects from the F-16 just before impact at an air show in September 2003]]
<!-- This section is only for notable aviation incidents and accidents. -->

The F-16 has been involved in over 670 hull-loss accidents as of January 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=F16 |title=Aviation Safety Network > ASN Aviation Safety WikiBase > ASN Aviation Safety Database results |first=Harro |last=Ranter |work=aviation-safety.net |access-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809185648/https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=f16 |archive-date=9 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/mishaps-and-accidents/ |title=F-16 Mishaps & Accident Reports |work=f-16.net |access-date=28 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618103758/http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/mishaps-and-accidents |archive-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*On 8 May 1975, while practicing a 9-''g'' aerial display maneuver with the second YF-16 (tail number ''72-1568'') at [[Fort Worth, Texas]], prior to being sent to the [[Paris Air Show]], one of the main landing gears jammed. The test pilot, Neil Anderson, had to perform an emergency gear-up landing and chose to do so in the grass, hoping to minimize damage and avoid injuring any observers. The aircraft was only slightly damaged, but because of the mishap, the first prototype was sent to the Paris Air Show in its place.<ref>{{YouTube|9Djjmw6l3-4|"YF16 in Belly landing".}}. Retrieved 24 March 2011.</ref>
*On 15 November 1982, while on a training flight outside [[Kunsan Air Base]] in South Korea, USAF Captain Ted Harduvel died when he crashed inverted into a mountain ridge. In 1985, Harduvel's widow filed a lawsuit against General Dynamics claiming an electrical malfunction, not pilot error, as the cause; a jury awarded the plaintiff {{nowrap|$3.4 million}} in damages. However, in 1989, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the contractor had immunity to lawsuits, overturning the previous judgment. The court remanded the case to the trial court "for entry of judgment in favor of General Dynamics".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/878/1311/166713/ |title=United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. – 878 F.2d 1311. |work=Justia Law |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202133227/http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/878/1311/166713/ |archive-date=2 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The accident and subsequent trial was the subject of the 1992 film ''[[Afterburn (1992 film)|Afterburn]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Schindehette |first1=Susan |editor-last1=Sider |editor-first1=Don |title=Pilot Error? An Angry Widow Rejects That Judgment |date=1 June 1992 |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |volume=37 |number=21 |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20112810,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508190016/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20112810,00.html |archive-date=8 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Tucker |first1=Ken |title=Afterburn Review |date=29 May 1992 |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,310657,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808042905/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,310657,00.html |archive-date=8 August 2011}}</ref>
*On 23 March 1994, during a joint Army-Air Force exercise at [[Pope AFB]], North Carolina, F-16D (AF Serial No. 88-0171) of the [[23d Wing|23d Fighter Wing]] / [[74th Fighter Squadron]] was simulating an engine-out approach when it collided with a USAF C-130E. Both F-16 crew members ejected, but their aircraft, on full afterburner, continued on an arc towards Green Ramp and struck a USAF [[C-141]] that was being boarded by US Army paratroopers. This accident resulted in 24 fatalities and at least 100 others injured.<ref name="Fay Observer">{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=Drew |title=Fort Bragg Report: Green Ramp Disaster anniversary was March 23 |url=http://www.fayobserver.com/blogs/news/fort_bragg_report/fort-bragg-report-green-ramp-disaster-anniversary-was-march/article_535c6a22-cf68-11e4-a8be-d7909da5a604.html |website=Fay Observer |access-date=12 January 2017}}</ref> It has since been known as the "[[Green Ramp disaster]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19940323-2 |title=23 March 1994 crash |author=Harro Ranter |date=23 March 1994 |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103172548/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19940323-2 |archive-date=3 November 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*On 15 September 2003, a [[United States Air Force Thunderbirds|USAF Thunderbirds]] F-16C crashed during an air show at [[Mountain Home AFB]], Idaho. Captain Christopher Stricklin attempted a "[[split S]]" maneuver based on an incorrect mean-sea-level altitude of the airfield. Climbing to only {{convert|1670|ft|m|abbr=on}} above ground level instead of {{convert|2500|ft|m|abbr=on}}, Stricklin had insufficient altitude to complete the maneuver, but was able to guide the aircraft away from spectators and ejected less than one second before impact. Stricklin survived with only minor injuries; the aircraft was destroyed. USAF procedure for demonstration "Split-S" maneuvers was changed, requiring both pilots and controllers to use above-ground-level (AGL) altitudes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gladman |first1=Paul |title=Thunderbirds Lockheed Martin F-16 Ejection |date=3 October 2008 |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/aircraft-pictures/2008/10/thunderbirds-lockheed-martin-f.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413061837/http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/aircraft-pictures/2008/10/thunderbirds-lockheed-martin-f.html |archive-date=13 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123006413 |title= Thunderbirds accident report released |publisher= AF.mil |access-date=13 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060214024752/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123006413 |archive-date= 14 February 2006}}</ref><!-- Entry covers the accident and is long enough as is. -->
*On 26 January 2015, a Greek F-16D [[2015 Los Llanos Air Base crash|crashed]] while performing a NATO training exercise in [[Albacete]], Spain. Both crew members and nine French soldiers on the ground died when it crashed in the flight line, destroying or damaging two Italian [[AMX International AMX|AMX]]s, two French [[Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet|Alpha jets]], and one French [[Dassault Mirage 2000|Mirage 2000]].<ref>{{cite news |work=[[The Guardian]] |title=Greek fighter-jet crash in Spain leaves at least 10 dead |date=26 January 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/26/spain-f16-fighter-jet-crash-albacete |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118045430/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/26/spain-f16-fighter-jet-crash-albacete |archive-date=18 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |publisher=[[Le Monde]] |title=Onze morts dont neuf Français lors du crash d'un avion de chasse en Espagne |date=28 January 2015 |language=fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2015/01/26/dix-morts-dans-le-crash-d-un-avion-de-chasse-grec-en-espagne_4563876_3214.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128025205/http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2015/01/26/dix-morts-dans-le-crash-d-un-avion-de-chasse-grec-en-espagne_4563876_3214.html |archive-date=28 January 2015 |via=[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]}}</ref> Investigations suggested that the accident was due to an erroneous rudder setting that was caused by loose papers in the cockpit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=González |first1=Miguel |title=Loose papers in cockpit likely cause of F-16 crash at NATO base in Albacete |date=29 July 2015 |publisher=[[El País]] |url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2015/07/29/inenglish/1438167032_202612.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407145423/https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2015/07/29/inenglish/1438167032_202612.html |archive-date=7 April 2023}}</ref>
*On 7 July 2015, an F-16CJ [[2015 Moncks Corner mid-air collision|collided]] with a [[Cessna 150M]] over Moncks Corner, South Carolina, U.S. The pilot of the F-16 ejected safely, but both people in the Cessna were killed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pager |first1=Tyler |title=2 killed when F-16, Cessna collide in midair over S.C. |date=8 July 2015 |publisher=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/07/f16-crash-south-carolina/29815069/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410203040/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/07/f16-crash-south-carolina/29815069/ |archive-date=10 April 2019}}</ref>
* On 11 October 2018, an F-16 MLU from the [[2nd Tactical Wing]] of the [[Belgian Air Component]], on the apron at [[Florennes Air Base|Florennes Air Station]], was hit by a gun burst from a nearby F-16, whose cannon was fired inadvertently during maintenance. The aircraft caught fire and was burned to the ground, while two other F-16s were damaged and two maintenance personnel were treated for aural trauma.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Florennes, un F-16 a bien été détruit par un tir accidentel: "L'explosion a été provoquée par un tir de canon" |publisher=RTL Info |via=[[Belga (news agency)|Belga]] |date=7 November 2018 |url=https://www.rtl.be/actu/florennes-un-f-16-bien-ete-detruit-par-un-tir-accidentel-lexplosion-ete/2018-11-07/article/161584 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424053336/https://www.rtl.be/info/belgique/faits-divers/a-florennes-un-f-16-a-bien-ete-detruit-par-un-tir-accidentel-l-explosion-a-ete-provoquee-par-un-tir-de-canon--1075310.aspx |archive-date=24 April 2021}}</ref>
* On 11 March 2020, a Pakistani F-16AM (Serial No. 92730) of the [[No. 9 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)]] crashed in the [[Shakarparian]] area of [[Islamabad]] during rehearsals for the [[Pakistan Day Parade]]. The plane crashed when the F-16 was executing an aerobatic loop. As a result, the pilot of the F-16, [[Wing Commander]] [[Noman Akram]], who was also the Commanding Officer of the No. 9 Squadron "Griffins", lost his life. A board of inquiry ordered by the [[Pakistan Air Force]] later revealed that the pilot had every chance to eject but opted not to and tried his best to save the aircraft and avoid civilian casualties on the ground. Videos taken by locals on the ground show his F-16AM crashing into some woods. He was hailed a hero by Pakistanis while also gaining some attention internationally.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://pakobserver.net/pakistan-pays-tribute-to-wing-commander-noman-akram-on-his-first-martyrdom-anniversary/ |title= Pakistan pays tribute to Wing Commander Noman Akram on his first martyrdom anniversary |date= 11 March 2021 |access-date= 26 March 2022 |archive-date= 17 April 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220417034152/https://pakobserver.net/pakistan-pays-tribute-to-wing-commander-noman-akram-on-his-first-martyrdom-anniversary/ |url-status= live}}</ref>
* On 6 May 2023, a U.S. Air Force F-16C of the [[8th Fighter Wing]] crashed in a field near Osan Air Base in South Korea during a daytime training sortie. The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/05/08/air-force-pilot-ejects-f-16-crashes-south-korea.html | title=Air Force Pilot Ejects as F-16 Crashes in South Korea | date=8 May 2023 }}</ref>{{importance inline|date=October 2023}}
*On 8 May 2024, an F-16C of the [[Republic of Singapore Air Force]] crashed during takeoff within [[Tengah Air Base]]. The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft without major injuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/rsaf-f16-crash-tengah-airbase-singapore-air-force-4320751 |title=RSAF F-16 jet crashes at Tengah Air Base; pilot hospitalised with no major injuries }}</ref> The cause was later identified to be from the malfunction of two of the three primary pitch rate gyroscopes on the aircraft. This was noted to be a "rare occurrence" by [[Lockheed Martin]] due to the concurrent failure of the two independent pitch rate gyroscopes giving similar inputs which caused the digital flight control computer to reject inputs from the correctly functioning pitch rate gyroscope and the backup pitch rate gyroscope when it was activated by the rejection of a primary pitch rate gyroscope.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 Jun 2023 |title=Final Update on the RSAF's F-16 Crash at Tengah Air Base |url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/rsaf/news-and-publications/news/final-update-on-the-rsaf's-f-16-crash-at-tengah-air-base}}</ref>
<!-- Section is only for [[aviation accidents and incidents]]. Entries need to be notable per [[WP:WikiProject Aircraft/page content#Accidents and incidents]] and [[WP:AIRCRASH]]. -->

==Aircraft on display==
{{main|List of displayed General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons}}

As newer variants have entered service, many examples of older F-16 models have been preserved for display worldwide, particularly in Europe and the United States.

==Specifications (F-16C Block 50 and 52)==
[[File:GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16 FIGHTING FALCON.svg|thumb|3-view drawing of an F-16]]
[[File:F16_vertical_climb.png|thumb|The underside of an F-16 during a vertical climb]]
[[File:Lockheed F-16C USAF 92-3894 PACAF F-16 Demo Team RJNK.jpg|thumb|F-16 in afterburner]]
[[File:B61 in Weapons Storage and Security System.jpg|thumb|[[Weapons Storage and Security System]] vault in raised position holding a [[B61 nuclear bomb]], adjacent to an F-16. The vault is within a [[Protective Aircraft Shelter]].]]
[[File:Israeli F-16s at Red Flag.jpg|thumb|An Israeli F-16I Block 52 with conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), [[electronic countermeasure]]s, and other external stores during a [[Red Flag (United States Air Force)|Red Flag]] exercise at [[Nellis AFB]], Nevada]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=USAF sheet,<ref name=AF_fact_sh/> International Directory of Military Aircraft,<ref name=Frawley_Military/> [[Aircraft flight manual|Flight Manual]] for F-16C/D Block 50/52+<ref name=HAF>{{cite web |title=Hellenic Air Force F-16C/D Flight Manuals |entry= |date=15 June 2003 |id=GR1F-16CJ-1 |url=https://publicintelligence.net/hellenic-air-force-f-16cd-flight-manuals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023073953/https://publicintelligence.net/hellenic-air-force-f-16cd-flight-manuals/ |archive-date=23 October 2021}}</ref>
|prime units?=kts
<!-- General characteristics
-->
|genhide=
|crew= 1
|length ft=49
|length in=5
|length note=
|span ft=32
|span in=8
|span note=
|height ft=16
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqft=300
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=[[NACA airfoil|NACA 64A204]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326174850/https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |archive-date=26 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|empty weight lb=18900
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=26500
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=42300
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity={{convert|7000|lb|kg}} internal<ref name=AF_fact_sh/>
|more general=
<!-- Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[General Electric F110#F110-GE-129|General Electric F110-GE-129]] for Block 50 aircraft
|eng1 type=
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 lbf=17155
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng1 lbf-ab=29500
|eng1 note=
|power original=
|thrust original=
|more power=<br/>(1 × [[Pratt & Whitney F100#F100-PW-229|Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229]] for Block 52 aircraft, {{cvt|17800|lbf|kN}} thrust dry and {{cvt|29160|lbf|kN}} with afterburner.)
<!-- Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=2.05, {{cvt|1176|kn|mph km/h|0}} at 40,000 feet, clean<ref name=Frawley_Military/>
**Mach 1.2, {{cvt|800|kn|mph km/h|0}} at sea level<ref name=Frawley_Military/>
|cruise speed kts=504
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range nmi=
|range note=
|combat range nmi=295
|combat range note=on a hi-lo-hi mission with 4 × {{cvt|1000|lb|0}} bombs
|ferry range nmi=2277
|ferry range note= with three [[drop tank]]s
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=50000
|ceiling note=<ref name=AF_fact_sh/>
|g limits=+9
|roll rate=324°/s<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.codeonemagazine.com/f16_article.html?item_id=174 |title=SEMPER VIPER! |publisher=Lockheed Martin |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=3 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403001245/http://www.codeonemagazine.com/f16_article.html?item_id=174 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|wing loading lb/sqft=88.3
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=1.095 (1.24 with loaded weight & 50% internal fuel){{#tag:ref|Thrust (28,600 lb) / Loaded weight with 50% internal fuel (23,000 lb)|group=N}}
|more performance=
<!-- Armament
-->
|guns=1 × [[20 mm caliber|20 mm (0.787 in)]] [[M61 Vulcan|M61A1 Vulcan]] [[Rotary cannon#M61 Vulcan and other designs|6-barrel rotary cannon]], 511 rounds
|hardpoints= 2 × wing-tip air-to-air missile launch rails, 6 × under-wing, and 3 × under-fuselage pylon (2 of 3 for sensors) stations
|hardpoint capacity=up to {{convert|17000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of stores
|rockets=<br />
**4 × LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19/7 × [[Hydra 70]] mm/[[APKWS]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.baesystems.com/en-us/article/us-air-force-deploys-apkws-laser-guided-rockets-on-f-16s |title=U.S. Air Force Deploys APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets on F-16s |date=8 June 2016 |website=baesystems.com |publisher=BAE |access-date=8 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611120557/http://www.baesystems.com/en-us/article/us-air-force-deploys-apkws-laser-guided-rockets-on-f-16s |archive-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> rockets, respectively)
**4 × LAU-5003 rocket pods (each with 19 × [[CRV7]] 70 mm rockets)
**4 × LAU-10 rocket pods (each with 4 × [[Zuni (rocket)|Zuni]] 127 mm rockets)
|missiles=<br />
** [[Air-to-air missile]]s:
***6 × [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]]
***6 × [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]]
***6 × [[IRIS-T]]
***6 × [[Python (missile)|Python-4]]
***6 × [[Python (missile)|Python-5]]
***2 × [[AIM-7 Sparrow]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://marvineng.com/product/aim-7-sparrow-pylon | title=AIM-7 Sparrow Pylon for F-16 Fighting Falcon }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2023/08/08/provision-of-aim-120-missiles-would-greatly-enhance-iraqs-f-16s/?sh=7e39770e40c2 | title=Provision of AIM-120 Missiles Would Greatly Enhance Iraq's F-16s | website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref> and 4 × [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]]
** [[Air-to-surface missile]]s:
***6 × [[AGM-65 Maverick]]
***2 × [[AGM-88 HARM]]
*** [[AGM-158 JASSM]] (JASSM)
***4 × [[AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon]] (JSOW)
** [[Anti-ship missile]]s:
***2 × [[Harpoon (missile)|AGM-84 Harpoon]]
***4 × [[Penguin missile|AGM-119 Penguin]]
*** [[Joint Strike Missile]] (to be integrated)
|bombs=<br />
**8 × [[CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition]]
**8 × [[GATOR mine system|CBU-89 Gator mine]]
**8 × [[CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon]]
**4 × [[Mark 84 bomb|Mark 84]] general-purpose bombs
**8 × [[Mark 83 bomb|Mark 83]] GP bombs
**12 × [[Mark 82 bomb|Mark 82]] GP bombs
**8 × [[GBU-39 SDB|GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb]] (SDB)
**4 × [[GBU-10 Paveway II]]
**6 × [[GBU-12 Paveway II]]
**4 × [[GBU-24 Paveway III]]
**4 × [[GBU-27 Paveway III]]
**4 × [[Joint Direct Attack Munition]] (JDAM) series
** [[Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser]] (WCMD)
** [[B61 nuclear bomb]]
** [[B83 nuclear bomb]]
*'''Others:'''
**[[ADM-160 MALD]]<ref>{{cite web |title=ADM-160 MALD |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/weapons-platforms/adm-160-mald/ |website= airandspaceforces.com |access-date=6 October 2023}}</ref>
**SUU-42A/A [[Flare (countermeasure)|flares/infrared decoys]] dispenser pod and [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]] pod ''or''
**AN/ALQ-131 & AN/ALQ-184 [[electronic countermeasures|ECM]] pods on centerline ''or''
** [[LANTIRN]], [[Lockheed Martin Sniper XR]] & [[Litening]] targeting pods ''or''
** [[AN/ASQ-213 HARM targeting system]] (HTS) Pod (typically configured on station 5L with Sniper XR pod on station 5R) ''or''
**Up to 3 × 300/330/370/600 US [[gallon]] (1,135, 1,250, 1,400, 2,270 L) ''[[Sargent Fletcher]]'' [[drop tank]]s for ferry flight/extended range/loitering time ''or''
**UTC Aerospace DB-110 long range EO/IR sensor pod on centerline
<!-- Avionics -->
|avionics=
* [[AN/APG-83]] / [[AN/APG-68]] radar (depends on aircraft variant). The AN/APG-68 radar is being replaced on many US Air Force F-16C/D Block 40/42 and 50/52 aircraft by the AN/APG-83 [[active electronically scanned array|AESA]] radar.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=Jamie |title=USAF launches huge upgrade program for its F-16s |date=4 March 2022 |url=https://skiesmag.com/news/usaf-launches-huge-upgrade-program-f-16-vipers/ |publisher=Skies Magazine |access-date=25 September 2022 |archive-date=25 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925145436/https://skiesmag.com/news/usaf-launches-huge-upgrade-program-f-16-vipers/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Leone |first1=Dario |title=USAF to Upgrade 608 F-16 fighter jets to V variant in Viper Fleet largest Modification Work in History |url=https://theaviationgeekclub.com/tag/northrop-grumman-apg-83/ |publisher=The Aviation Geek Club |access-date=25 September 2022 |archive-date=25 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925145438/https://theaviationgeekclub.com/tag/northrop-grumman-apg-83/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver, being replaced on US Air Force F-16C/D Block 40/42 and 50/52 by AN/ALR-69A(V)
* AN/ALQ-213 electronic warfare suite, being replaced on US Air Force F-16C/D Block 40/42 and 50/52 by AN/ALQ-257
* [[MIL-STD-1553]] bus<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interfacebus.com/Design_Connector_1553.html |title=MIL-STD-1553 Avionics Bus Description. Military Standard |publisher=Interfacebus.com |access-date=24 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019111637/http://www.interfacebus.com/Design_Connector_1553.html |archive-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
<!--==Notable appearances in media== -->
<!-- ===============({{NoMoreCruft}})=============== -->
<!-- Please READ [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] and [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history#Popular culture]] before adding any "Popular culture" items.

Please do not add the many minor appearances of the aircraft. This section is only for major cultural appearances where the aircraft plays a MAJOR part in the story line, or has an "especially notable" role in what is listed. A verifiable source proving the appearance's notability may be required. Random cruft, including ALL Ace Combat, Battlefield, and Metal Gear Solid appearances, and ALL anime/fiction lookalike speculation, WILL BE removed.

If your item has been removed, please discuss it on the talk page FIRST. A verifiable source proving the appearance's notability may be required. If a consensus is reached to include your item, a regular editor of this page will add it back. Thank you for your cooperation. -->
<!-- ===============({{NoMoreCruft}})=============== -->

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|see also=<!-- other related articles that have not already linked: -->
* [[Aircraft in fiction#F-16 Fighting Falcon]]
* [[Fourth-generation fighter]]
* [[Green Ramp disaster]]
* [[David S. Lewis]] (General Dynamics' CEO during formative period for F-16)
* [[RSAF Black Knights]] – F-16 Aerobatic Team
|related=<!-- designs which were developed into or from this aircraft: -->
* [[Vought Model 1600]]
* [[General Dynamics F-16XL]]
* [[General Dynamics X-62 VISTA]]
* [[AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo]]
* [[KAI T-50 Golden Eagle]]
* [[Mitsubishi F-2]]
|similar aircraft=<!-- aircraft that are of similar Role, Era, and Capability this design -->
* [[Chengdu J-10]]
* [[Dassault Mirage 2000]]
* [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]]
* [[Mikoyan MiG-29]]
* [[PAC/CAC JF-17 Thunder]]
* [[Saab JAS 39 Gripen]]
|lists=<!-- relevant lists that this aircraft appears in: -->
* [[List of active United States military aircraft]]
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
* [[List of military electronics of the United States]]
}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=N}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Aleshire |first1=Peter |title=The Eye of the Viper: The Making of an F-16 Pilot |date=2004 |publisher=Lyons Press |location=Guilford, Conn. |isbn=1-59228-822-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MiJdPBTGPicC&dq=f-16+viper+galactica&pg=PR22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114201440/https://books.google.com/books?id=MiJdPBTGPicC&pg=PR22&lpg=PR22&dq=f-16+viper+galactica&source=bl&ots=qSdTpoqrFH&sig=xS-iUBSglOTFcWK2JxRPj9q3N64&hl=en&ei=0N0eSsu8DqOytAO4pLGMCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |url-status=live |edition=Illustrated}}
* {{cite book |last1=Aronstein |first1=David C. |last2=Piccirillo |first2=Albert C. |title=The Lightweight Fighter Program: A Successful Approach to Fighter Technology Transition. |date=1996 |publisher=AIAA |location=[[Reston, Virginia|Reston, VA]] |isbn=9781563471933}}
* {{cite book |last1=Coram |first1=Robert |title=Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War |date=2002 |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |location=[[New York City|New York]] |isbn=9780759527775}}
* {{cite book |last1=Darling |first1=Kev |title=F-16 Fighting Falcon |date=2003 |publisher=Crowood Press UK |location=[[London]] |isbn=9781840373998}}
* {{cite book |last1=Droste |first1=Carl S. |last2=Walker |first2=James E. |title=The General Dynamics Case Study on the F-16 Fly-by-Wire Flight Control System |isbn=9781563473074 |doi=10.2514/4.867873 |type=Paperback |publisher=[[AIAA|American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics]] |date=1980 |language=en-us}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Eden|editor-first=Paul |title=The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft|location=London, UK|publisher=Amber Books, 2004|isbn=978-1-904687-84-9|ref={{harvid|Eden et al|2004}}|date=July 2006}}
* {{cite book |last1=Frawley |first1=Gerard |title=The International Directory of Military Aircraft |date=2002 |publisher=Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd |location=[[Manly, New South Wales|Manly NSW]] |isbn=1875671552}}
* {{cite book |last1=Hampton |first1=Dan |title=Viper Pilot: A Memoir of Air Combat |publisher=William Morrow |date=2012 |isbn=9780062130358}}
* {{cite book |last1=Hoh |first1=Roger H. |last2=Mitchell |first2=David G. |title=Flying Qualities of Relaxed Static Stability Aircraft – Volume I: Flying Qualities Airworthiness Assessment and Flight Testing of Augmented Aircraft. |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA128758 |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |id=ADA128758 |date=September 1983 |access-date=16 June 2008}}
* {{cite book |last1=Jenkins |first1=Dennis R. |title=F/A-18 Hornet: A Navy Success Story |publisher=McGraww-Hill |location=New York |date=2000 |isbn=9780071346962 |edition=First}}
* {{cite book |last1=Peacock |first1=Lindsay |title=On Falcon Wings: The F-16 Story |publisher=Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Enterprises |location=[[RAF Fairford]], United Kingdom |date=1997 |type=Paperback |isbn=9781899808014}}
* {{cite book |last1=Richardson |first1=Doug |title=General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon |location=London |publisher=Salamander Books |date=1990 |isbn=9780861015344}}
* {{cite book |last1=Senior |first1=Tim |title=The AirForces Monthly Book of the F-16 Fighting Falcon |location=[[Stamford, Lincolnshire|Stamford, UK]] |publisher=[[Key Books]] Ltd |date=2002 |isbn=9780946219605}}
* {{cite book |last1=Spick |first1=Mike |title=The Great Book of Modern Warplanes |location=[[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul, MN]] |publisher=MBI Publishing Company |date=2000 |isbn=9780760308936}}
* {{cite report |title=Standard Aircraft Characteristics, General Dynamics F-16A Block 15, A.F. Serial No. 80-0541 thru 80-1117, March 1984 |url=https://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/F-16A_Block_15_Falcon_SAC_-_March_1984.pdf |date=March 1984 |publisher=Office of the Secretary of the Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231190554/https://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/F-16A_Block_15_Falcon_SAC_-_March_1984.pdf |archive-date=31 December 2021}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
*Drendel, Lou. ''F-16 Fighting Falcon – Walk Around No. 1.'' [[Carrollton, Texas]]: Squadron/[[Signal Books]], 1993. {{ISBN|0-89747-307-8}}.
* [[Bill Gunston|Gunston, Bill]]. ''United States Military Aircraft of the 20th century'' London: [[Salamander Books]] Ltd, 1984. {{ISBN|0-86101-163-5}}.
*Jenkins, Dennis R. ''McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, Supreme Heavy-Weight Fighter''. [[Arlington, Texas]]: Aerofax, 1998. {{ISBN|1-85780-081-8}}.
* [[Bill Sweetman|Sweetman, Bill]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZyKWYFKWP74C ''Supersonic Fighters: The F-16 Fighting Falcons''.] [[Mankato, Minnesota]]: [[Capstone Publishers|Capstone Press]], 2008. {{ISBN|1-4296-1315-7}}.
*Williams, Anthony G. and Dr. Emmanuel Gustin. ''Flying Guns: The Modern Era''. Ramsbury, UK: The [[Crowood Press]], 2004. {{ISBN|1-86126-655-3}}.

==External links==
{{Commons|F-16 Fighting Falcon}}
* [http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104505/f-16-fighting-falcon.aspx F-16 USAF fact sheet]
* [http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/f16.html F-16 page on LockheedMartin.com] and [http://www.codeonemagazine.com/f16-highlights.html F-16 articles on Code One magazine site]
* [http://www.f-16.net/ F-16.net Fighting Falcon resource]

{{Lockheed Martin aircraft}}
{{Convair/GD aircraft}}
{{F-16 Fighting Falcon variants}}
{{US fighters}}
{{USAF system codes}}
{{Thai fighter designations}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:General Dynamics aircraft|F-016]]
[[Category:Lockheed Martin aircraft|F-016]]
[[Category:1970s United States fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:Relaxed-stability aircraft]]
[[Category:General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon| ]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1974]]
[[Category:Fourth-generation jet fighter]]