The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft with over 4,600 built since 1976.[4] Although no longer purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are being built for export. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation,[5] which became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.[6]F-16 Fighting FalconAerial view of jet aircraft, carrying cylindrical fuel tanks and ordnance, overflying desertA USAF F-16C flying over the desert in Iraq, 2008General informationTypeMultirole fighter, air superiority fighterNational originUnited StatesManufacturerGeneral Dynamics (1974–1993)Lockheed Corporation (1993–1995)Lockheed Martin (1995–)Built bySABCA (1979–1985)Fokker (1979–1982)KAI (1994–2004)TUSAS (1987–2011)StatusIn servicePrimary usersUnited States Air Force25 other users (see operators page)Number built4,604 (as of June 2018)[1][2]HistoryManufactured1973–2017, 2019–present[3]Introduction date17 August 1978; 46 years agoFirst flight20 January 1974; 51 years ago (unplanned)2 February 1974; 51 years ago (official)VariantsGeneral Dynamics X-62 VISTADeveloped intoVought Model 1600General Dynamics F-16XLMitsubishi F-2The F-16's key features include a frameless bubble canopy for enhanced cockpit visibility, a side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, an ejection seat reclined 30 degrees from vertical 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 that helps to make it an agile aircraft. The fighter has a single turbofan engine, an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 hardpoints. Although officially named "Fighting Falcon", the aircraft is commonly known by the nic