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General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Photo: Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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GeneralDynamicsF-16FightingFalcon

Multirole Fighters · United States · 1979
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GeneralDynamicsF-16FightingFalcon

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Photo: Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Versatility
95
Air-to-Air Capability
90
Air-to-Ground Capability
92
Avionics
88
Range & Payload
85
Speed & Agility
94
Survivability
87
Reliability
93
Technology
80
Cost-Effectiveness
96
Origin United States
ManufacturerLockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Lockheed Corporation, Fokker, SABCA, Samsung Aerospace
CategoryMultirole Fighters
EraCold War
In service1979–2017
Operators42 countries
Quantity4,604
Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
90
Multirole Fighters MASS Rating
5/25
Cold War
5/88
All-Time
Multirole Fighters · 10 axes scored
Versatility
95
Air-to-Air Capability
90
Air-to-Ground Capability
92
Avionics
88
Range & Payload
85
Speed & Agility
94
Survivability
87
Reliability
93
Technology
80
Cost-Effectiveness
96
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the multirole fighters category.
01 / Overview
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Production
1979–2017
Quantity
4,604
Unit Price (current)
$30.0M
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MULTIROLE FIGHTERS · COLD WAR
5
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
97
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$30.0M
Inflation: +%0
90
multirole fighters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the multirole fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1974
  • Service Entry Year1978
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleMultirole fighter
  • Generationfourth-generation
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
▣Performance2MOD.2
  • Top Speed (Mach)2 Mach
  • G-Limit9
◇Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
  • Length15.06 m
  • Wingspan9.96 m
  • Height4.88 m
  • Empty Weight8,589 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight19,187 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production2MOD.2
  • Total Built4,604
  • Operators26
▲Service History1MOD.1
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1979Production started
  3. 2017Production ended
47
years in service
38
years in production
4,604
units produced
42
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16 FIGHTING FALCON · CONFLICTS SERVED IN20% win
Total Conflicts
5
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory1country · 150units
150active
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE10terms
Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar: a radar system using a phased array antenna to steer and scan electronically.
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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Multirole Fighters entry →