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Home / IAS Preparation / F16 Fighter Jet

F 16 Fighter Jet - Background, Specifications, Features, Comparison, Facts And More

Last Updated on Sep 07, 2023
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The F-16 Fighter Jet is a multi-role fighter aircraft with a small footprint which is also a top Fighter jet in the world. It is highly maneuverable and has demonstrated its air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack capabilities. It offers the United States and its allies a low-cost, high-performance weapon system. The F series Fighter Jets Fighting Falcon was developed under an unprecedented collaboration between the United States and four NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway. 

The F 16 Fighter Jet is significant for the UPSC Prelims and GS Paper 3 of the UPSC Mains curriculum. This article will provide you with all features and necessary information on the F 16 Fighter Jet. Study major topics of Science from the perspective of UPSC Exams.

F-16 Fighter Jet in News
  • In 2022, India had “conveyed concerns” to America on the US decision to provide Pakistan with a $450 million package containing F-16 Case for sustainment and related equipment.
  • In 2019, Varthaman, then Wing Commander, shot down a Pakistan F-16 fighter plane during low-altitude combat; he was forced to eject in enemy territory when his plane was shot down.
    • When Pakistani F-16 fighter planes crossed into Indian airspace in 2019, the Indian Air Force attempted attacks near Balakot, Pakistan. Then, a Pakistani F-16 battles an Indian MiG-21 flown by hero Group Captain Abhinandan Varthamanam.
  • India is enraged by the United States' $450 million assistance package for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has questioned the United States backing for Pakistan.
    • The US, which initially sent soldiers to Pakistan in 1983, believes that its support program would assist Islamabad in combating terrorism.

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Background on F-16 Fighter Jet

The general dynamics f 16 fighting falcon was developed in response to a 1972 need for a lightweight, cost-effective air-to-air fighter. Current versions are also all-weather capable and capable of ground assault.

  • The F-16A, a single-seat aircraft, took to the skies for the first time in December 1976.
  • The first operational F-16A was delivered to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base in Utah in January 1979.
  • The F-16B, a two-seat model, has tandem cockpits about the same size as the A model.
  • All F series Fighter Jets delivered since November 1981 feature structural and electrical allowances and system architecture that allow for increased multirole flexibility.

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Specification of F16 Fighter Jet

Parameter

Specifications

Crew

1

Length

49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)

Wingspan

32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)

Height

16 ft (4.9 m)

Wing area

300 sq ft (28 m2)

Airfoil

NACA 64A204

Empty weight

18,900 lb (8,573 kg)

Gross weight

26,500 lb (12,020 kg)

Max takeoff weight

42,300 lb (19,187 kg)

Fuel capacity

7,000 pounds (3,200 kg) internal

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Features of F-16 Fighter Jet
  • The F-16 falcon is capable of traveling over 500 miles in an air-to-surface mission, delivering munitions with superior accuracy, defending against hostile aircraft, and returning to its starting point.
  • Its mobility and combat radius surpass those of potential threat fighter aircraft.
  • The F-16 can identify low-flying aircraft amidst radar ground clutter and accurately pinpoint targets in all weather conditions.
  • It possesses all-weather capabilities, allowing precise delivery of explosives in non-visual bombing scenarios.
  • The design of the F-16 incorporates advanced aeronautical science and reliable technologies from previous aircraft like the F-15 and F-111.
  • Despite its low weight, the fuselage maintains its strength, and the cockpit with a bubble canopy provides the pilot with unobstructed visibility in all directions.

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F-16 Fighter Jet: Facts of UPSC

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is among the top 5 Fighter Jets in the world which has demonstrated its effectiveness in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attacks and is quite manoeuvrable. Following table shows the overview of F-16 Fighter Jet:

F-16 Fighter Jet: Facts of UPSC

Introduction

17 August 1978; 44 years ago

National origin

United States

Contractor

Manufactured by General Dynamics Corp., and Lockheed Martin.

Manufacturer

General Dynamics (1974–1993)

Lockheed Corporation (1993–1995)

Lockheed Martin (1995–present)

F16 fighter plane speed

Airspeed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)

Armament

General Electric M61A1 20mm six-barrel cannon and two wingtip Sidewinder or Sparrow air-to-air missiles; nine additional hardpoints capable of carrying up to 15,200 pounds of other stores.

Primary users

United States Air Force and 25 other nations like Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Singapore, Israel etc.

Role

Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter

Comparison between Rafale and F-16

Rafale is a twin-engine, 4.5th generation fighter jet that can operate from both ground bases and aircraft carriers. F-16 falcon is a fourth-generation, single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft. In terms of length, the two aeroplanes are nearly identical.

Factors of Comparison

Rafale 

F-16 Fighter Jet

Image

Definition

Dassault Rafale is a 4.5 generation aircraft developed and designed in France.

The F-16 is the industry’s most efficient and well-tested fourth generation multi-mission fighter aircraft. It was first manufactured in the United States in 1973.

Size

According to the dimensions of this aircraft, the Rafale jet has a height of 5.34 m and a length of 15.27 m. This aircraft has a wingspan of 10.9 metres. The breadth is 10.8 metres.

An F-16 fighter has a height of 5.09 metres, a length of 15 metres, and a wingspan of 9.44 metres.

Capacity

Rafale capacity – 24,500 kgs.

F-16 capacity – 21,272 kgs

Specifications

Rafale may go up to 2,000 nautical miles at a time.

The maximum cruising altitude of the Rafale is 50,000 feet.

The ascent rate is 60,000 feet per minute.

Long-range cruise speed is 1,032 knots.

Cruise speed is in the 750 knot range.

The F-16 can go 2,280 nautical miles.

The cruising altitude is set at 50,000 feet.

The ascent rate is 60,000 feet per minute.

Long-range cruise speed is 1,303 knots.

The usual cruise speed range is 330 knots.

Firepower

The Rafale has 14 weapon placement locations and can carry up to 9.5 tonnes of weight. The aircraft is outfitted with air-to-air, nuclear, air-to-land, anti-ship, and anti-ship missiles and bombs.

The f-16 fighter has 9 missile and weapon placement locations where missiles and armaments can be installed.

Maneuverability

The Rafale jet can also tolerate 9g pressures when manoeuvring at a high angle of attack.

The F-16 fighter was primarily designed to battle and have excellent agility, hence it was unstable.

Radar and Avionics

The Rafale is outfitted with SPECTRA technology, which, when paired with radio technology, can detect smaller things approaching from 90 miles away.

APG-83 is the F-16 fighter with a radar. Which has a range of 85 miles and can target around 20 things. It has an effective combat system, which includes autonomous ground collision avoidance.

List Of Other Fighter Jets In India

Fighter Jets

Description

Image

MiG-21

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21(MiG 21) is a well-known fighter jet that has operated in over 60 nations over the previous six decades.

Source: Indian Air F

Sukhoi Su-30MKI

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is one of the most modern fighter planes in India, serving as the IAF’s current backbone and frontline fighter.

Mirage-2000

The Mirage-2000, which first flew in 1985, is one of the most flexible and lethal aircraft.

HAL Tejas LCA

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) launched the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme in the 1980s to replace the ageing Soviet-sourced MiG-21.

SEPECAT Jaguar

The SEPECAT Jaguar, sometimes known as the ‘Shamsher,’ is a fighter jet built jointly by the British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force.

MiG 29

The Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau developed the MiG 29 in the 1970s to compete with US F-Series planes such as the F-15 and F-16. The MiG29 is called as the ‘Baaz’ (Hawk) in India and is the second line of defence behind the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.

Rafale

The introduction of the French-made Rafale 4.5 generation aircraft is being viewed as a game changer for India. The twin-engine jets can perform a wide range of tasks, including ground and sea strikes, air defence, and nuclear strike deterrent.

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Way Forward

The F-16 Fighting Falcon was developed under an unprecedented collaboration between the United States and four NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway.

Overall, the Rafale is a 4.5 generation plane, whereas the F-16 is a 4th generation plane. And based on the specifications in the paper, we may conclude that the Rafale is a superior fighter plane over the F-16.

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F-16 Fighter Jet FAQs

No, India does not have F-16 Fighter Jets.

Yes, F-16 is the latest and most advanced F-16 on the market today.

The F-16 has been procured to serve in the air forces of 25 other nations.

Rafale is a 4.5 generation aircraft manufactured and designed in France. Whereas, the F-16 is by far the most efficient and well-tested 4th generation multi-mission fighter jet designed by United States.

Greece is the country with most number of F-16 Fighters.
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