02/02/2024
🛫Happy 50th “Official” Flight Anniversary, F-16! 🛫
A few weeks ago, we posted about the F-16’s “accidental” first flight. Today, we are happy to celebrate the anniversary of the “official” first flight on February 2nd, 1974! The test flight lasted 90 minutes.
In honor of the 50th Anniversary, the U.S. Air Force held the “F-16 First Flight 50th Anniversary Celebration” at Edwards Air Force Base where the first flight took place. The event included over 40 F-16s and a performance from the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team
The single-engine, fighter aircraft was originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). With over 1,000 in service, the F-16 is used by the USAF, the Air National Guard, the U.S. Thunderbirds team, and the US Navy.
Credit: Military.com
Image 1: YF-16 Prototype First Flight (Lockheed Martin)