The F-16 "Fighting Falcon" (known as "Viper" to its operators) is a single-engine multirole fighter. It was initially designed and produced by General Dynamics up until 1993 when the company sold the Fort Worth production line to Lockheed Martin. More than 4,500 F-16s have been produced and more than 2,800 aircraft remain in operation with 25 nations, making the type among the most prolific fighter families in the post-World War II period.
The U.S. Air Force Is Considering Buying New F-16 Aircraft
The U.S. Air Force Is Considering Buying New F-16 Aircraft
Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons based in the Central Command area of operations conduct armed aerial patrols in Somalia in support of Operation Octave Quartz, Jan. 9, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Harrison)
More F-16 Vipers could be ordered together with F-15EXs, attritable aircraft and NGAD to replace older aircraft until enough F-35s are available.
Almost 16 years after the last delivery, the U.S. Air Force is now considering an order for new F-16 Fighting Falcon (or Viper, as the type is dubbed in the fighter pilot community) jets. This news was recently reported by the