The F-16 Fighting Falcon, commonly nicknamed the “Viper” by its pilots, is a single-engine, multirole fighter designed for high maneuverability and versatility. Originally developed as a lightweight air superiority fighter, it evolved into a highly adaptable multirole aircraft capable of air-to-air combat, ground attack, and precision strike missions.
 
General Information:
Role: Multirole fighter / air superiority / ground attack
Manufacturer: General Dynamics (later Lockheed Martin)
First Flight: February 2, 1974
Introduction: 1978
Crew: 1 (F-16C) or 2 (F-16D trainer variant)
Nickname: Viper
Key Features:
Single-engine, lightweight design for agility and low-cost operation
Advanced fly-by-wire system for enhanced maneuverability
Versatile multirole capability for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions
Highly exported; over 4,500 built for more than 25 countries