The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) 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.^[3] Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are still being built for export customers.^[4] In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation,^[5] which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.^[6]

The Fighting Falcon has key features 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 which 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 and crews, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as the Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper starfighter.

Specs:

Skill Level 3
77 pieces
Length: 8 in (202 mm)
Width: 5.2 in (132 mm)
Age 14+