The F-16AM is a single-seater aircraft that can reach a maximum speed of Mach 2 and has a service ceiling of 15,000 meters and has a maximum take-off weight of 18,100 kg. The length of the F-16AM is 15.06 meters and its wingspan is 9.96 meters. The maximum range of the F-16AM is 3,300 km.
It has a pilot, who flies the plane and mans the weapons systems and is designed to fly in air combat missions and can be armed with air-to-air missiles or air-to-ground weapons.
The service ceiling is the maximum altitude at which an aircraft can fly. It’s determined by the temperature and pressure at its cruising altitude. The F-16’s service ceiling is 15,000 meters (50,000 feet). This means that if you want an aircraft with a high service ceiling for your mission, you should look for one with a high service ceiling—like the F-16AM!
The F-16AM’s baseline weight is 6,300 kg. This is the weight of the aircraft without weapons or fuel. The actual weight of an F-16AM can vary based on its configuration and loadout, but a full fuel load will add another 1,500 kg to this figure. If a pilot is flying it, they will weigh around 80 kg (176 lbs).
The aircraft can carry a maximum fuel load of 7,000 kg externally and 5,000 kg internally.
The F-16AM is a single-engine fighter that’s 15.06 meters long and 9.96 meters wide. The wingspan is the distance from tip to tip of the wing, while the length is measured from front to back of the aircraft (you can see this in most photos of planes).
This fighter jet was designed in the USA by General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin. The first F-16A flew in 1976 and was used by the USAF until 1999 when it received its successor, the F-16C block 50/52+. In 1982 these aircraft were delivered to Holland which used them to replace their aging F-104G Starfighter fleet. By 2017 there were 83 F-16AMs in use by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) with another 10 scheduled for delivery between 2019 and 2020.
One major advantage is its weight which makes it easier to reach high speeds quickly without compromising on maneuverability. This aircraft truly packs a punch!
The F-16AM still serves as the backbone of the Belgian Air Force, and it is supplemented by the smaller F-16B. Belgium’s Air Force headquarters is at Kleine Brogel Air Base, one of the most modern military installations in Europe. The end of the Cold War and recent defense cuts have not been kind to Belgium. However, those cuts have actually helped Belgium to retain a very potent fighting force, albeit a small one.
The F-16AM has been a considerable asset for the Royal Netherlands Air Force when patrolling the skies above both Dutch and NATO territory. The aircraft is reportedly utilized to secure large-scale military exercises, national celebrations, as well as peacekeeping missions.