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The F-16 Falcon is the result of a competition between General Dynamics (F-16) and Northrop (YF-17). Each of these companies produced prototypes which flew against each other. The winner (General Dynamics) was awarded the contract to produce the F-16 on 13-jan-1975. The US Navy continued to test both aircraft but did not purchase either (however the F-18 is based largely on the losing YF-17).
The F-16 can carry a huge array of air-to-air, air-to-surface missiles and bombs. The M61A1 20mm Vulcan cannon carrier 500 rounds of ammo stored in a drum in the fuselage. AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles are carried on the wing tip stations. This leaves 9 stations for use by the Maverick, AIM-7 Sparrow, and an assortment of guided and unguided bombs.
The F-16 is a very fast manuverable fighter with a speed of Mach 2+ and despite being designated as a short range fighter it was chosen as the bomber aircraft by the Israeli airforce to bomb the Osirak nuclear reactor in Baghdad because of it's long range
The pilot sits at a 30 degree angle under a one piece clear canopy. This gives the pilots a great view in all directions and lets them look behind them far more easily than other aircraft. The control stick is mounted on the side of the cockpit and only a few millimeters of movement are required to put the fighter into a maximum rate turn (20 degrees per second)
The Engine puts out up to 29,000lb of thrust allowing the F-16 to accelerate in a climb and reach it's ceiling of 50,000 feet rather quickly.
