Lockheed
KF-16 Fighting Falcon
General Dynamics
KF-16 Fighting Falcon
Role Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer
General Dynamics (1974–1993)
Lockheed Corporation (1993–1995)
Lockheed Martin (1995–present)
First flight
20 January 1974; 49 years ago (unplanned)
2 February 1974; 49 years ago (official)
Introduction 17 August 1978; 45 years ago
Status In service
Primary users United States Air Force
25 other users (see operators page)
Produced 1973–2017, 2019–present
Number built 4,604 (June 2018)
Variants General Dynamics X-62 VISTA
Developed into
Vought Model 1600
General Dynamics F-16XL
Mitsubishi F-2
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History KAI Aerospace industries
KF-16 Fighting Falcon
The KF-16 is a South Korean multi-role fighter. It is a license-produced version of the American F-16. It was locally produced by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Production began in the early 1990s. A total of 140 KF-16 aircraft were produced. These aircraft are based on American F-16C (single seat) and F-16D (two seat) Block 52 aircraft. The first KF-16 fighters were delivered to the South Korean air force in 1994.
The KF-16 has air-to-air and ground-attack capabilities. Furthermore it can fly in all weather conditions and carry smart weapons. This multi-role fighter has 7 hardpoints and 2 wing tip mounts. These mounts are used to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles. The KF-16 can also carry beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, such as AIM-120 AMRAAM, or air-to-surface missiles such as AGM-65D, cruise missiles, or anti-ship missiles. This fighter can also carry free-fall or precision-guided bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), rocket pods, or fuel tanks. There is an integral M61 Vulcan 20 mm 6-barrel cannon.
The KF-16 is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan engine. This engine is fitted with an afterburner and generates 79 kN of dry thrust and 129.4 kN with afterburning. This engine powers late models of the F-16 and F-15E Strike Eagle.
Despite its age the KF-16 is still actively used by the South Korean air force. There are plans to upgrade this aircraft with modern systems, such as new radar, armament, mission computers, electronic systems and cockpit instruments. It would improve its combat capabilities. In 2014 a deal between South Korea and BAE Systems was announced to upgrade some 134 KF-16 fighters, however later South Korean government cancelled it. In 2015 it was announced that Lockheed Martin company was selected to carry out upgrades. So if this deal comes through, the aircraft will be upgraded to the F-16V standard..0
KmCeiling
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KmCombat RANGE
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MachAircraft Speed
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Max Crew
KAI Aerospace industries
KF-16 Fighting Falcon
Photo Gallery
KAI Aerospace industries
KF-16 block 52+ MLU Fighting Falcon
General Info
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- Crew: 1
- Length: 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
- Height: 16 ft (4.9 m)
- Wing area: 300 sq ft (28 m2)
Powerplant
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- Empty weight: 18,900 lb (8,573 kg)
- Gross weight: 26,500 lb (12,020 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: (19,187 kg)
- Fuel capacity: (3,200 kg) internal
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Powerplant: 1 × General Electric F110-GE-129 for Block 50 aircraft , 17,155 lbf (76.31 kN) thrust dry, 29,500 lbf (131 kN) with afterburner
(1 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 for Block 52 aircraft, 17,800 lbf (79 kN) thrust dry and 29,160 lbf (129.7 kN) with afterburner.
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.05, 1,176 kn (1,353 mph; 2,178 km/h) at 40,000 feet, clean
- Mach 1.2, 800 kn (921 mph; 1,482 km/h) at sea level
- Combat range: 295 nmi (339 mi, 546 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with 4 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs
- Ferry range: 2,277 nmi (2,620 mi, 4,217 km) with drop tanks
- Service ceiling: (15,000 m)
- g limits: +9.0
- Roll rate: 324°/s
Armament
- Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon, 511 rounds
- Hardpoints: 2 × wing-tip air-to-air missile launch rails, 6 × under-wing, and 3 × under-fuselage pylon (2 of 3 for sensors) stations with a capacity of up to 17,000 lb (7,700 kg) of stores
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Links to Youtube & Others
Ready then, ready now, ahead of ready for what’s to come. Transforming 4th Generation for the next generation with the newest and most advanced F-16. Meet the Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon.
Lockheed/Martin
KF-16 Block 52
On May 2, 2011, while on patrol near the Nuristan province of Afghanistan, U. S. Air Force Maj. John Caldwell peered out from the bubbled canopy of his F-16 and saw nothing but desert.
Youtube Link
Lockheed Martin delivered the 4,500th F-16 Fighting Falcon in March 2012. Follow this aircraft's amazing legacy.
Read more in Lockheed Aviation
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