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Background
The F-16A, a single-seat model, first flew in December 1976. The first
operational F-16A was delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter
Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
The F-16B, a two-seat model, has tandem cockpits that are about the same size as
the one in the A model. Its bubble canopy extends to cover the second cockpit. To
make room for the second cockpit, the forward fuselage fuel tank and avionics
growth space were reduced. During training, the forward cockpit is used by a
student pilot with an instructor pilot in the rear cockpit.
All F-16s delivered since November 1981 have built-in structural and wiring
provisions and systems architecture that permit expansion of the multirole
flexibility to perform precision strike, night attack and beyond-visual-range
interception missions. This improvement program led to the F-16C and F-16D
aircraft, which are the single- and two-place counterparts to the F-16A/B, and
incorporate the latest cockpit control and display technology. All active units and
many Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units have converted to the F-
16C/D.
The F-16 was built under an unusual agreement creating a consortium between
the United States and four NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands
and Norway. These countries jointly produced with the United States an initial
348 F-16s for their air forces. Final airframe assembly lines were located in
Belgium and the Netherlands. The consortium's F-16s are assembled from
components manufactured in all five countries. Belgium also provides final
assembly of the F100 engine used in the European F-16s. Recently, Portugal
joined the consortium. The long-term benefits of this program will be technology
transfer among the nations producing the F-16, and a common-use aircraft for
NATO nations. This program increases the supply and availability of repair parts
in Europe and improves the F-16's combat readiness.
USAF F-16 multirole fighters were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in
support of Operation Desert Storm, where more sorties were flown than with any
other aircraft. These fighters were used to attack airfields, military production
facilities, Scud missiles sites and a variety of other targets.
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