OVERVIEW: The F-16B Block 20 Fighting Falcon is a low-cost, dual seat, single-engine, very maneuverable, supersonic, 4th generation multirole fighter. 


DETAILS:  The F-16 was designed to be a cost-effective combat "workhorse" that can perform various missions and maintain around-the-clock readiness. It uses advanced aerodynamics and avionics, including the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire (RSS/FBW) flight control system to achieve enhanced maneuver performance. Highly maneuverable, the F-16 can pull 9-g maneuvers and can reach a maximum speed of over Mach 2. Innovations include a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick, and reclined seat to reduce g-force effects on the pilot. It has a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one, providing power to climb and accelerate vertically.


The 150 F-16A/B Block 20 for Taiwan are  Block 15OCU built to MLU standards, but designated Block 20 and are comparable with the USAF block 50 F-16s. The Block 20 added some F-16C/D block 50/52 capabilities to the F-16A: improved AN/APG-66(V)3 radar with added CW mode to guide the BVR AIM-7M Sparrow and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.  It also can carry the AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, as well as the LANTIRN navigation and targeting pod. The Block 20 computers are significantly improved in comparison to that of the earlier versions.
  

NOTES: IOC 1997.  A total of 30 delivered to Taiwan from 1997-2001. 

SOURCES: "F-16 Fighting Falcon." U.S. Air Force. Last modified September 23, 2015. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104505/f-16-fighting-falcon/#:~:text=The%20F%2D16%20Fighting%20Falcon,United%20States%20and%20allied%20nations; "F-16A/B." F-16.net - The Ultimate F-16, F-22, F-35 Reference. Accessed December 24, 2020. https://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article3.html.  