Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Scrapbook
The F-16 Fighting Falcon was earned the nickname of “Viper” over time; the first flight of the type occurred in 1974.
Photos by William Ellison, Tim Adams, Bob Finch, Don Linn, Scott Jankowski and Ken Kula
Lockheed Martin’s F-16 fighter is one of the world’s most successful 4th Generation combat jets.
Illinois Air National Guard jet wearing that organization’s 60th anniversary color scheme.
The type is capable of air-to-air fighter, air-to-ground attack and the Wild Weasel anti-radar – electronic countermeasures missions.
Polish Air Force F-16C at a Red Flag Alaska exercise.
Almost a dozen different variants of the basic jet have been operated by 31 countries; some 2,800 single seat and twin-seat airframes have been produced.
Both Pratt & Whitney and General Electric jet engines power different Block variants of the F-16.
The original design was built as the USAF’s answer for a lightweight air to air fighter.
The F-16A ADV (Air Defense Variant) Block 15 was a USAF interceptor which has been retired form use.
The USAF’s F-16C Block 50/52 is the Wild Weasel/ECM version still in use today.
United Arab Emirates Air Force operates this F-16F Block 60, called the Desert Falcon.
The current F-16 Block 70/72 is currently being produced today, with just shy of 150 ordered thus far.
Many older F-16 airframes still have much service life left in them, and Lockheed Martin offers upgrades that make them viable years after they were introduced.
Civilian operator Top Aces operates this F-16A Block 5 Aggressor, originally flown by Israel’s IDF.
The USAF and US Navy operate or have operated Fighting Falcons as aggressor aircraft. Several retired military F-16 airframes are operated by civilian companies as Aggressors too.
The USAF has refurbished retired airframes and has modified them into unmanned QF-16 targets aircraft.
We’ve put together a cross section of operators and versions in this scrapbook and separated the single seaters from the twin-seat versions in these two galleries. Enjoy!
Syracuse-based New York Air National Guard F-16C Block 30B has been converted into a QF-16 drone.
Single seat versions, including the F-16A, F-16C, F-16E and others:
Singapore Air Force F-16D Block 52 wears a commemorative color scheme.
Twin-seat versions include the F-16B and F-16D, which are combat capable as well as a training aircraft. The second aircrew may also direct sensors and weapons from the rear seat.
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