OVERVIEW: The F-16V aka Viper is a low-cost, single-engine, very maneuverable, supersonic, 4.5 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 F-16V includes advanced capabilities to better interoperate with fifth-generation fighters, including a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, enabling all-weather targeting and offers high-resolution detection and imaging of land-based targets. The F-16V’s advanced glass cockpit incorporates an upgraded mission computer and avionics, helmet-mounted cueing system.  It also has increased computing power to the avionics and weapon systems, improving situational awareness, air-to-air strike performance, improved targeting, and information capabilities. It also has a precision GPS navigation and automated ground collision avoidance system (AGCAS) which controls the aircraft to avoid a collision in case of pilot’s unresponsiveness to visual cues.


NOTES: IOC 1979 (USAF). The Taiwan F-16Vs are upgrades from their existing Block 20 inventory.  

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 ; "F-16V (Viper) Fighting Falcon Multi-role Fighter Aircraft." Air Force Technology | Air Defence News & Views Updated Daily. Last modified July 22, 2019. https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f-16v-viper-fighting-falcon-multi-role-fighter/.  