The Air Force tested multiple fighters before ultimately selecting the F-16 in 1978. Here, the YF-16 (foreground) flies alongside the YF-17 in 1972.
The fighter was originally developed by General Dynamics for the U.S. Air Force. Its original design was as an air-superiority day fighter, but it evolved into a successful all-weather multi-role aircraft.
The Falcon can have a variety of weapons: One M-61A1 20mm cannon with 500 rounds, and room underneath for up to 6 air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface munitions, and electronic countermeasure pods.
This F-16XL (Experimental aircraft) can drop plenty of bombs. It's also armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the wingtips and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles on the undercarriage.
The XL (top) was an experimental aircraft that was eventually shelved by the U.S. Air Force in favor of the F-15.
Here's one carrying an impressive payload of two AIM-9 Sidewinders, along with four AIM-7 Sparrows on the fuselage and twelve 500-pound bombs.
It was built to operate within an altitude of 30,000 to 40,000 feet, but it has a ceiling above 50,000.
The F-16 can go the distance, with a range of over 2,000 miles (1,740 nautical miles) that can be extended through in-flight refueling like you see here.
More than 2,002 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles)
If they get into serious trouble, flares can be released to throw off heat-seeking missiles and stay alive.
F-16s have a homeland defense role, like on 9/11, when they were scrambled from Washington, D.C. to protect the city from further attacks.
The Air Force Thunderbirds perform around the world and their aircraft of choice is the incredible F-16.
The F-16 is an amazing fighter aircraft, and many times they support troops engaged in ground combat, including Special Ops.
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