During the 1960s it became apparent to USAF officials that the highly advanced McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter, then under development, was going to be too expensive to procure in large numbers. What the service also needed was a lightweight affordable fighter that was very agile and could also perform the ground attack mission.

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon won the subsequent competition for a mass-produced lightweight fighter and entered service with the USAF in 1979. With the cold War at its height and the Reagan administration in office massive orders were placed for the new fighter. Huge overseas interest in the aircraft resulted in licensed production in Belgium , Holland , Turkey and South Korea and the F-16 rapidly earned a reputation as a true multi-role fighter.

Lockheed Martin absorbed General Dynamics military aircraft division in December 1992 but continued the develop of the Fighting Falcon through a series of models, each offering increased performance and capabilities. Further roles were added by demanding customers and the F-16 found itself performing tactical reconnaissance and the suppression of enemy air defences roles.

By the beginning of the new century orders had passed the 4,000 mark and development continued with new sensors, avionics and weapons being integrated into the aircraft. The F-16 has seen extensive combat with a number of the air arms that fly it, most notably the USAF.

February 2, 2004, marks the 30th Anniversary of the first flight of the prototype F-16 and this special publication looks at the aircraft's development, variants, operators and much more.

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