F-16 Fighting Falcon
Despite active work on the creation and improvement of fifth-generation fighters, the basis of the air forces of the world's leading countries is the same as twenty years ago, the previous, fourth-generation aircraft. This includes Russia's Su-27 and MiG-29, Europe's Eurofighter Typhoon, France's Dassault Rafale, and China's J-11 and J-10. Moreover, the air forces of many countries around the world are still actively and very successfully using third- and sometimes second-generation aircraft. If we talk about the fourth generation fighter jets, it is impossible not to mention one of the most famous fighters, the US-made F-16 Fighting Falcon ("Attack or Fighting Falcon"). The F-16, which took to the skies for the first time in the mid-70s of the last century, is still the basis of the air forces of the United States and almost twenty other countries.
In the advertising brochures of General Dynamics, the creator of Savashan Shahin, it is stated that in the summer of 1982, F-16 fighters belonging to the Israeli Air Force destroyed 45 MiG aircraft in the skies over Lebanon and Syria. they know that they are familiar with the "smell". The F-16 fighter can be called the basis of the air power of the West, moreover, it is very popular in the global arms market.
Creation date The American F-15 Eagle was the first fourth-generation fighter to enter service in the army. This happened in 1974. As the F-15 proved to be an excellent fighter aircraft, it is still in military service today and has a number of modifications. However, almost immediately after the start of operation, "Eagle" was criticized. The main shortcomings pointed out by Pentagon experts and officials were the excessive complexity and cost of this aircraft. The US military needed a light, simple and cheap front-line fighter. One of the lessons the Americans learned during the Vietnam War was that the heavy F-4 Phantom fighter was defeated in close combat by lighter and more maneuverable aircraft such as the MiG-19 and MiG-21. US Department of Defense 0.8-1.6 Max speed
it was decided to create a small and light fighter that would conduct maneuverable close combat at a range of The main task of the new aircraft was to gain air superiority.
In 1972, five companies submitted their proposals for participation in this project. The US Department of Defense signed contracts with Northrop and General Dynamics for the construction of prototypes. At that time, General Dynamics was a well-known aircraft manufacturer. The designers of the company started research in the field of creating a simple and cheap front-line fighter in the mid-60s. After the conclusion of the contract with the military, these things became more intense. Designers conducted numerous studies to improve the design and placement of air intakes, and also worked on improving fighter control systems at high loads and supersonic speeds. All this work was later used to create the "Fighting Falcon".
The prototype of the new fighter developed by General Dynamics was called the YF-16 and first took to the skies in 1974. A year later, this aircraft was declared the winner of the competition and received the name F-16A. His competitor did not remain idle either: the project of the Northrop company became the basis for the creation of the F/A-18 Hornet fighter-bomber used on aircraft carriers. Flight tests of the F-16A fighter continued until 1978, and mass production of the aircraft began in the middle of that year. By 1980, 650 fighters were produced. In addition to the US Air Force, the F-16 first attracted the attention of US allies in Europe, and then the countries of the Middle East. Initially, 116 F-16 aircraft were purchased by Belgium, then more than a hundred fighters were delivered to the Dutch Air Force. Soon, Iran, Jordan and Israel became interested in the new fighter. Today, the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter is the most massive combat aircraft in the world. It has been adopted by the air forces of 25 countries and is the basis of their fighter aviation.
