In the early 1980s, American air superiority was challenged by the proven capabilities of Russian-built fighter jets. During that time, the U.S. Department of Defense recognized a need for a new fighter airplane that could compete with Soviet fighters on short notice, rather than spend years developing a costly new aircraft from scratch. In response to this urgent need, an obscure company named General Dynamics F-16 introduced a modified version of its F-16 Fighting Falcon (also known as the Viper) as an inexpensive high-performance fighter plane that could be produced quickly and in large numbers. The result was the F-16 Viper again, but rebranded as the F-16 Fighting Falcon – or simply – “The Dogfighter”
The Rebirth of the F-16
In the early 1980s, the U.S. Department of Defense recognized a need for a new fighter airplane that could compete with Soviet fighters on short notice, rather than spend years developing a costly new aircraft from scratch. In response to this urgent need, an obscure company named General Dynamics introduced a modified version of its F-16 Fighting Falcon as an inexpensive high-performance fighter plane that could be produced quickly and in large numbers. The result was the F-16 Viper again, but rebranded as the F-16 Fighting Falcon – or simply – “The Dogfighter” The new F-16 was based on lessons learned from the Vietnam War and Desert Storm, including the need for increased maneuverability, reduced visibility, and a single-seat cockpit. The F-16 also featured a new, powerful engine and could carry more weapons on each mission than any other fighter in the U.S. Air Force.
General Dynamics’ F-16 Fighting Falcon
The F-16 Fighting Falcon first flew in 1974 and was introduced into service with the U.S. Air Force in 1979. The F-16 was designed to be a lightweight, inexpensive all-weather multirole fighter. In the 1980s, more than 3,000 F-16s were built for the U.S. Air Force as well as for international customers such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. The F-16 was the first aircraft to be built solely with computer-assisted design and manufacturing techniques. Today, the F-16 is used by 26 countries in a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-surface bombing, air-to-air reconnaissance, and airborne early warning.
Why is it called ‘Dogfighter’?
The F-16 is known as a “dogfighter” because it is able to turn very tightly and its high-performance engine gives it tremendous acceleration. Its low-visibility cockpit, heads-up display (HUD), and computerized flight control system give the pilot tremendous control over the airplane. The F-16’s basic design enables the pilot to engage in high-G dogfights while flying 600 knots (1,100 km/h) faster than the enemy. The F-16’s highly maneuverable design, however, also makes it challenging to fly and land.
Rebuilding the F-16 for a New Era
In rebuilding the F-16 for modern dogfights, designers focused on three areas of improvement – a new engine, a new cockpit, and an improved ability to carry weapons. First – the F-16 was fitted with a new Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine that generates 50% more engine thrust than the original engine. Second – a new cockpit design contributed to a 90% reduction in the pilot’s outside visibility. Third – the F-16’s payload capability increased from 2,000 pounds to 16,000 pounds.
Lessons from the Past
When rebuilding the F-16 for a new era of dogfights, designers had to consider lessons learned from the past. To improve pilot visibility, for example, designers added a sliding canopy to the single-seat cockpit rather than the hinged canopy used on the original two-seat F-16. A hinged canopy would have allowed the pilot to see clearly ahead, but it would have blocked his view of the rear. To improve pilot safety, designers added a stronger ejection seat with a head-up display that provides information on speed, altitude, and other data.
Conclusion
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon was reborn in the 1980s as the F-16 Dogfighter to meet the urgent need for a new fighter plane that could compete with Soviet fighters on short notice. The F-16’s basic design was modified to meet this challenge, resulting in a single-seat, high-performance fighter plane with an improved ability to carry weapons and fly at faster speeds. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, now rebranded as the F-16 Dogfighter, remains a popular fighter plane today and is used by 26.