Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the interceptors category.
01 / Overview
F-16A/B Fighting Falcon
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1973–2017
Quantity
4,604
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTERCEPTORS · COLD WAR
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
98
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the interceptors category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1974
- Service Entry Year1978
- Crew1
- Primary RoleMultirole fighter; air superiority fighter
- Generationfourth-generation
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine Typeturbofan
- Engine ModelPratt & Whitney F100-PW-200
- Number of Engines1
- Thrust (dry, each)64.9
- Thrust (afterburner, each)106
- Thrust-to-Weight1
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel3,100 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed2,120 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)2 Mach
- Cruise Speed850 km/h
- Stall Speed185 km/h
- Service Ceiling15,240 m
- Ferry Range4,220 km
- Combat Radius550 km
- Rate of Climb254 m/s
- G-Limit9
- Takeoff Run530 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length15.06 m
- Wingspan9.96 m
- Height4.88 m
- Wing Area27.87
- Empty Weight8,273 kg
- Loaded Weight12,000 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight19,200 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints9
- Weapons Payload7,000 kg
- Internal GunM61 Vulcan 20 mm
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesYes
- Nuclear CapableYes
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarAN/APG-66
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteYes
- Helmet-Mounted SightYes
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Targeting PodYes
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built4,604
- Operators26
- Variants10
▲Service History1MOD.1
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1973Production started
- 1978Entered service
- 2017Production ended
53
years in service
44
years in production
4,604
units produced
34
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 9 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Inventory34country · 6,966units
6,966active
05 / MASS Score
INTERCEPTORS RANKING Interceptors · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
24INTERCEPTORS3COLD WAR · INTERCEPTORS688UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS1PERFORMANCE/PRICE · INTERCEPTORS
ⓘ Rankings are within theInterceptorscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE9terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
A helmet-mounted display system that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at targets, tracking head movements to direct sensors or weapons.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources