General Dynamics F - 16 Fighting Falcon The General Dynamics F - 16 " Fighting Falcon " is a multi - role fighter built by the United States and used by dozens of countries worldwide . History . Since the dawn F - 16 was designed as a workhorse of low cost , which could carry out various types of mission readiness and maintain punctual . It is much simpler and lighter than its predecessors , but uses aerodynamics and Avionics Electronic ( including the first use of " flight fly - by - wire " , Getting the nickname " e jet " ) to maintain good performance . Basically this is what sets it apart from predecessors , many of which were not designed to operate in all weather conditions . Unlike other fighters , which had characteristics of specific jobs , such as F - 104 Starfighter that was too expensive , and others made to exclusive operations in aircraft carrier like the F - 14 Tomcat . Although the official name of the popular F - 16 is " " Fighting Falcon " " Is also referred to as " " Viper " " The code name of General Dynamics for the project during the design phase . The F - 16 is small and nimble , navigating with the pilot sitting above the fuselage . This offers the driver excellent visibility , a crucial dogfight . To this end , the F - 16 has a M61 Vulcan and can be equipped with missiles air to air . However , the F - 16 was also designed to air - ground combat as support to ground forces if necessary . To this end can be equipped with a wide range of missiles or pumps . The F - 16 comes from a series of specifications Department of Defense , United States sent to 1974 . Two companies were chosen during the design stage : General Dynamics with the YF - 16 design and Northrop with the design of YF - 17 Cobra . The F - 16 was the chosen prototype , showing superior performance to the assessment committee ; The U . S . Navy decided to evolve the design of the YF - 17 for F / A - 18 and , more recently , for F / A - 18E / F Super Hornet due to evidence of reliability of engines twins , which is considered vital for operations based in the Navy . No more F - 16 A / B activity in U . S . Air Force , Only F - 16 C / D ( 738 aircraft in October 2006 without telling the National Guard ) . The F - 16 C / D aircraft is a numerically important and actively used by U . S . Air Force . In theory , new orders could still be made but , in practice , it shows little interest in the large amount of F - 16 that are in reserve AMARC ( Over 300 units ) and is still awaiting delivery of new F - 35 Lightning II . Basically , the line of the F - 16 has been held by foreign orders . This demonstrates the success of the program and aircraft in active production for thirty years . Variants . The model F - 16 are designated by a numerical sequence of blocks . Each block represents significant changes in the capabilities of the aircraft . The goal would be to maintain standardization between aircraft of the same block and implement these changes into already delivered aircraft , upgrading them to the new standard . This is the main factor that enables the F - 16 keep fighting for so long , despite the rapid technological evolution . F - 16 A / B . Initially equipped with the Westinghouse AN / APG - 66 radar Pulse Doppler and Pratt & Whitney F100 - PW - 200 with 106 kN of power . Blocks 1 / 5 / 10 - They have a few differences between them and the majority of aircraft " Blocks " 1 and 5 were upgraded to the standard " Block 10 " . Block 15 - The first major change in the F - 16 , " Block 15 " has larger horizontal stabilizers , radar AN / APG updated and enhanced ability to carry weapons . It is the most numerous variant . Block 15 OCU - The Block 15 OCU ( " Operational Capability Upgrade " ) Has updated with inteface turbine digital control , ability to shoot missiles AGM - 65 , AIM - 120 AMRAAM , and AGM - 119 Penguin , updates on electronic countermeasures , cockpit , computers and data bus . Aircraft " Blocks " 10 : 15 have been updated for this pattern . Block 20 - Basically , a Block 15 OCU with many capabilities of the F - 16 C / D Block 50 / 52 : Using the AGM - 45 Shrike , AGM - 84 Harpoon , AGM - 88 HARM and LANTIRN pod . The on - board computers have been significantly upgraded . F - 16 C / D . The cell of the aircraft has changed significantly , there was an increase in empty weight of 7 , 390 kg to 8 , 272 kg . Block 25 - The F - 16 C / D Block 25 entered service in 1984 . The aircraft received radar Westinghouse AN / APG - 68 , is capable of night attack with precision and Pratt & Whitney F100 - PW - 220E with digital control interface . Block 30 / 32 - Entered into service in 1987 , was the first F - 16 to allow the choice of turbine General Electric or Pratt & Whitney . The " Blocks " ending in 0 are driven by GE , blocks ending in ' 2 ' are powered by Pratt & Whitney . They can use the AGM - 45 Shrike and AGM - 88 HARM . Was significantly upgraded by the addition of GPS / INS ( GPS guidance ) and the use of the cocoon Litening ( laser guidance ) that allow the use of guided bombs like the JDAM and Paveway . This modification is known as F - 16C + + . Block 40 / 42 - Entered into service in 1988 , has the ability to attack at any time increased with the LANTIRN pod , so called " Night Falcons " . Block 50 / 52 - With the first deliveries in 1991 , the aircraft is equipped with GPS / INS updated . Can fire missiles and bombs advanced . Block 50 / 52 Plus - This version has received upgraded avionics as the ALE - 50 decoder and provision for conformal fuel tanks . This release and the " Block 60 " is the version currently offered by Lockheed in competitions and they were asked by Chile , Singapore , Pakistan , Poland and Greece . Also under study by Taiwan and India . F - 16I - Basically , a " Block 50 / 52 Plus " to Israel with 50 % of Israeli avionics . F - 16 E / F . Block 60 - Based on the F - 16C / D , has conformal fuel tanks , General Electric F110 - 132 with 144 kN , Northrop Grumman AN / APG - 80 AESA radar , can fire all weapons of " Block 50 / 52 " and even the AIM - 132 ASRAAM and the AGM - 84E SLAM . The Data Bus MIL - STD - 1553 was replaced by MIL - STD - 1773 fiber optic capacity that offers much higher . Midlife Update Program . With the departure of the F - 16 A / B from the ranks of U . S . Air Force in 1996 , most developments would not occur for thisthat cell . However , it was a strategic need to meet several NATO allies who kept the aircraft on active service , as well as providing support to other buyers . To maintain the combat capability of the F - 16 A / B equivalent to the F - 16 C / D , was developed Midlife Update Program ( MLU ) , initially for Norway , Belgium , Denmark and Netherlands . Updates occur in packages that allow the constant improvement of the capabilities of hunting in accordance withtechnological developments . Currently , there are now four different packages . The aircraft purchased by Chile of the Netherlands M2 received the package . Portugal acquired M2 packages , but only few aircraft have been updated . The other program participants are completing the upgrade M3 and M4 beginning to analyze .