Wikia

'F-16 Fighting Falcon'
Aircraft role	Multirole
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin Mitsubishi Heavy Industries General Resources Limited
Real-world origin	United States of America
AC installments	Ace Combat (Air Combat) Ace Combat 2 Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Ace Combat X2: Joint Assault Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
Primary operator	Osea (OADF) (F-16C,F-16XL, F-16C Block60) USAF (F-16C, F-16F)
Secondary operators	Aurelia (AAF) Belka (BAF) br>Erusea (FEAF) Emmeria (REAF) Estovakia (EAF) GRDF FCU (ISAF) Leasath (LAF) Usean Rebel Force Ustio (UAF) Yuktobania (YAF) Valahia Martinez Security Japan (JASDF)
Plane variant(s)	F-16C Fighting Falcon F-16C Block60 F-2A Viper Zero F-16XL F-16F Desert Falcon F-16XF Gyrfalcon F-16XA Sakerfalcon
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The F-16 Fighting Falcon family has five main variants and two fictional.

F-16C Fighting FalconEdit

Main Article: F-16C Fighting Falcon

The General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16C Fighting Falcon is a lightweight, single engine, high-performance multi-role fighter; it is serving numerous air forces world-wide and has spawned several variants. The F-16 has become one of the most successful western fighter programs of the 20th century. Genesis of the successful F-16 fighter/attack aircraft lies in reaction to severe deficiencies in US fighter design revealed by the Vietnam War.

Following the success of the small, highly maneuverable F-86 day fighter in the Korean War, US fighter design changed to emphasize maximum speed, altitude, and radar capability at the expense of maneuverability, pilot vision, and other attributes needed for close combat. This trend reached its extremity in the F-4 Phantom II, which was the principal fighter for both the US Air Force and Navy during the latter part of the Vietnam War.

F-16C Block60Edit

Main article: F-16E Block 60

The General Dynamics F-16C Block60, real name F-16E Block 60, is a variant of the F-16C Fighting Falcon, designed exclusively for the United Arab Emirates. At one time, this version was incorrectly thought to have been designated "F-16U". The F-16C Block60 boasts several technological upgrades, such as a modernized sensor suite, conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), the F110-GE132 32,500 lb thrust engine and the Grumman AN/APG-80 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA). Amidst other differences with the original F-16C model, the Block60 features a more square-shaped central body, due to the conformal fuel tanks. The CFTs provide an additional 450 US gallon (2,045 L) of fuel, allowing increased range or time on station. This has the added benefit of freeing up hardpoints for weapons that otherwise would have been occupied by underwing fuel tanks.

F-2A Viper ZeroEdit

Main Article: F-2A Viper Zero

The F-2A Viper Zero is a deriative of the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 40 featured in some Ace Combat games. First flown in 1995, it enterd service with the Japan Air Self Defense Force in the early 2000s. Work first started on the F-2A during the FS-X program. It was based on the General Dynamics (post 1993, Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon, and in particular the F-16 Agile Falcon. It's role has changed from its early to later iterations due to its stats changing; initially the Viper was suited as an attacker but has then changed to a fighter. It jointly developed by Lockheed Martin and Mitsubishi Heavy Indrustries (MHI).

F-16XLEdit

Main Article: F-16XL

The F-16XL was first conceived in the eighties as a ground attack aircraft that would serve alongside the F-16C Fighting Falcon. It was one of the aircraft submitted for the US government's Enhanced Tactical Fighter program. For this task, two prototypes were built, F-16XL1 & F-16XL2 (respectively, a one-seater and a two-seater.). However, the F-16XL did not prevail at the end, and was defeated by the McDonnel Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle.

The prototypes were originally built to test the practicality of composite wing skins and both first flew in 1982, the single-seater first flying in July and the two-seater in October. After the prototypes completed their test programs, both were stored until one was delivered to NASA in 1989, where the F-16XL’s service designations would have been F-16E (single-seat) and F-16F (two-seat). The large “Cranked-Arrow” double-delta wing, which identified the –XL from its brethren, had an impressive 6 hardpoints under each wing in addition to the 2 wingtip hardpoints and fuselage hardpoints. The “Cranked-Arrow” wing also allowed more fuel to be carried increasing the Falcon’s already good range and the increased lift allowed for a much shorter takeoff roll. The large delta wing design hindered maneuverability at low speeds, though at higher speeds the –XL could turn almost as fast as the F-16 in a maximum turn. Currently, both prototypes are in NASA service.

F-16F Desert FalconEdit

Main Article: F-16F Desert Falcon

The General Dynamics F-16F, unofficially known as the Desert Falcon, is a variant of the F-16C Fighting Falcon. The Block 60 F-16E/F boasts superior technology compared to the standard F-16 Fighting Falcon. The F-16(F) is a two seat variant of the block series. It can be used as a multirole fighter and/or attack or a trainer aircraft. It features conformal fuel tanks on both sides of the fuselage, much like the F-15E Strike Eagle, thus giving the aircraft a greater combat radius.

F-16XA SakerfalconEdit

Main Article: F-16XA Sakerfalcon

This other variant of the popular F-16 series is truly one of kind. It was often used as a test bed for new avionics and laminar flow tests in the later 20th and the early 21st century. This F-16XA is designed around a ‘cranked arrow’ delta wing design, which is proven to increase its total flight range while maintaining its natural maneuverability. Unlike the F-16XF, this F-16 variant were more focused on ground-attack role.

F-16XF GyrfalconEdit

Main Article: F-16XF Gyrfalcon

The F-16, thanks to the number of aircraft left in service was deemed a prime candidate for upgrading. A series of upgrades made this fighter into something that would be viable given the drastically different combat conditions of the 2040s. The F-16XF was also chosen as one of the aircraft that could be made, upgraded, serviced cheaply thus providing a prime competitor for the R-101 series in the export area.

It's upgrades on F-16XF include the new COFFIN system, Larger Flaps, Ailerons, Canards, new powerful engine than other F-16 variant, redesigned Air Intake, Larger Leading Edge Root Extensions and Flap/Elevator Joint Controls.

An export variant was made for the UPEO in 2045. It is now also known as the F-16XFU Gryfalcon