50 years of the F-16
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- It’s been a long journey for the F-16. This year marks 50 years since it first took to the skies. Initially it was a dogfighter, armed with nothing more than two sidewinders and a gun. Today it is arguably the most versatile fighter in the US inventory. It’s an air superiority fighter, an interceptor, it does close air support, SEAD, and precision bombing.
Today, we will take a look back at the F-16, an aircraft which has been in the skies since the Vietnam era, and which shows no sign of retiring any time soon.
Please consider supporting this channel by subscribing at our Substack militaryaviati... - here you will get full transcripts and discussion for subscribers.
You can also support us here: raafdocumentar...
If you are looking for an aviation themed gift and want to support this channel, check out the Military Shop by using our affiliate link militaryshop.c... and you can also use our coupon code AMAHA for a discount!
We are also affiliates with Airfix Models - please use our link prf.hn/l/meNMQn5
____________ Disclaimer ____________
Original footage and recreated scenes may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.
Copyright disclaimer under fair dealing sections ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A,ss 42/103B of the Copyright Act which includes research, study, criticism, review, and reporting of news. Copyright remains with the respective owners. These videos are made for educational purposes only.
The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.
Probably the best multirole fighter ever produced.. F-16 is a real iconic pioneering legend of a jet.
Been a fan of this plane since I was a kid. The F-16 will go down as one of the most legendary aircraft to ever take to the skies!
The original designer said that if he knew how the F-16 would be deployed he would have designed it like the F-16 XL.
The F-16 XL had longer range, larger payload capacity without sacrificing speed and maneuvrability, it had a higher pricetag.
it was not so much difference in price. there is a video from the guy who did the design work on here somewhere. with military accounting - red lighting any project is quite easy.
F-14, F-15, F-16 & F/A-18 they sure got them right.
@@paulsteven4551 the YF-17 was the F-18's predecessor. The YF17 was made to compete with the F-16 for the lightweight fighter aircraft competition, but lost. The F-18 was that project revived but this time for the Navy
F-14 is gone almost 20 years and F/A-18 had to be completely redesigned. F-15 and F-16 are still being built in upgraded versions. I would say they got those right.
$40million F14 broke Grumman. $1billion NGAD is postponed.
@@alienbeef0421 Then funnily enough the lightweight YF-17 -> F/A-18 -> F/A-18E/F has made it into an aircraft almost as large as the heavier Eagle
@@astigmatic8978 indeed, apparently the original YF-17 design, when enlarged, becomes a really effective naval multirole fighter
While I am no expert, from all the information I discovered the prototype F-16 XL was an AMAZING plane that surpassed the base model F-16 in every respect. Even from a financial aspect, that modification seemed like a great addition as it had a fair amount of part commonality. I would have loved to see that variation go into production.
The Viper really is that good !!
F-16 is legendary and will go down in history as the greatest Gen.4 jet fighter !!🇺🇸
The Falcon is such a perfect name for this aircraft; small but very agile and deadly. ❤🔥
Love these shorter vids mixed into the longer ones.
Also; 'Footage taken with DCS...' Thank you! Small font that does not interfere with the video, but still very relevant in discerning real footage from 3D.
Pilots love the visibility out of the cockpit with glass all around. I remember when the F-16 went into production and Pratt&Witney had an add in Aviation Week with tail shots of the F-14, F-15 & F-16 showcasing their jet engines! The Vista had a “spine” from the cockpit to the tail full of computers. Thanks!
Always loved the F16 Fighting Falcon as it was the first flight simulator I used also. So glad, after so many years, the airframe & design is still being updated & pushed to its limits.
Something that should be highlighted here is the fact the F-16 has 85 air combat kills, to 1 disputed loss. Which is fantastic for a multirole fighter. It has shot down every Mig from the Mig-21 up to the 29... The F-15 sometimes gets too much credit and over shadows the F-16.. F-16 is a deadly air combat fighter to this day.
Never really tested. Now it will be seen in the purpose it was built for. Peaty it will not be piloted by US pilots. Interesting times will come for F16
Saying the F-15 gets too much credit is a ginuinly insane statement
I don't remember getting a "50 years of the F-15" video 😞✊
Falcon fanatic 🐍🐍🐍
Eagle Enthusiast 🦅🦅🦅
If possible, please make an objective analysis on the Operation Swift Retort of PAF. Covering its achievements and failures from its planned pr stated objectives.
You didn't say why it's still used and why it's best so far!
Tiny correction: the DCS: F-16C is a block 50, not a 52 😇
I remember of prototype plane almost crashing in 1976 on news.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Energy maneuverability theory by john boyd.
Whilst I like yor videos I think I have asked this before about a couple of your videos, what has the F16 got to do with Australian Aviation History?
Nothing whatsoever... Is there a problem?
@@raafdocumentaries I said that I liked the vlogs but the site is titled Australian Military Aviation History and some of the aircraft covered have nothing to do with the RAAF so the title of the site is misleading. Perhaps the tle should be just Militay Aviation History!
@@peterdoyle3205 Military Aviation History was taken by a British bloke, besides, we are Australian, we have a keen interest in Australian Military Aviation History, we also are interested in all military aviation history, so why can't an Australian Military Aviation History channel cover topics other than Australian topics? Our Australian stories wouldn't get a fraction of the views they do if we only did Australian stories. If it bothers you too much try thinking of us this way... "The Australian (produced) Military Aviation History channel" ;-)
The original engine wasn't the best fit. They updated the engine giving more power range and more weapons with extra pylons.
yep, designed for one thing, then told it will have to do many things.
The F16 Falcon is Divinely inspired, and its name is The Fighting Falcon. Vipers dont fly😅
Pakistan air force also used f16 in combat against Afghanistan Soviet union in 1980s and india in 2019
Pakistan didn't attack Russian positions
@@muhammedsalman9649 🐍🐍🐍🐍
Is this voice Real or AI
Real
Gen 4 fighters were built to last.
Keep F-16 MADE IN AMERICA
@@lorenzoo90 ХА За За Ха
@@calokraine5901 for military sales only weaken US in the long run