GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16 FIGHTING FALCON [WEAPON OF THE FORTNIGHT ~ SUNDAY 2 JUNE 2013 TO SATURDAY 15 JUNE 2013]

            The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon was the weapon used in killing the Iraqi Al Qaeda Terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi on this date, 7 June 2006. I chose this as the Weapon of the Fortnight. I got some of the information from Wikipedia.

A USAF F-16C over Iraq in 2008

The General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon is a 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 all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.

The Fighting Falcon is a fighter with numerous innovations including a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, a seat reclined 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system helps to make it a nimble aircraft. The F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 locations for mounting weapons and other mission equipment. The F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", but "Viper" is commonly used by its pilots, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as the Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper starfighter.

In addition to active duty U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard units, the aircraft is also used by the USAF aerial demonstration team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and as an adversary/aggressor aircraft by the United States Navy. The F-16 has also been procured to serve in the air forces of 25 other nations.

A right side view of a YF-16 (foreground) and a Northrop YF-17, each armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

 

Role	Multirole fighter aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	General Dynamics Lockheed Martin
First flight	20 January 1974
Introduction	17 August 1978
Status	In service, in production
Primary users	United States Air Force 25 other users (see operators page)
Number built	4,500+
Unit cost	F-16A/B: US$14.6 million (1998 dollars) F-16C/D: US$18.8 million (1998 dollars)
Variants	General Dynamics F-16 VISTA
Developed into	Vought Model 1600 General Dynamics F-16XL Mitsubishi F-2

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YF-16 on display at the Virginia Air and Space Center

A F-16 "Aggressor" flying over the Alaska Range in April 2010

A F-16C of the Colorado Air National Guard with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and a centerline fuel tank (300 gal capacity) after disengaging from a refueling boom.

Comparison between F-16's inset cannons; early aircraft had four vents, while later aircraft had two.

Comparison between F-16's inset cannons; early aircraft had four vents, while later aircraft had two.

F-16CJ of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, armed with a mix of air-to-air missiles, anti-radiation missiles, external fuel tanks and support equipment

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 Counter Measures pod

F-16 ground trainer cockpit (F-16 MLU)

 

Mechanics actuating an F-16 exhaust nozzle.