The F-16—officially called the Fighting Falcon, but known as the Viper among its pilots is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack.

Originally built by the US in a consortium with Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, the F-16 became one of the most popular military aircraft of all time as it provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and its allied nations.

The F-16 is capable of traveling at twice the speed of sound, or approximately 1,500 miles per hour (2,400 kilometers per hour). It can fly up to a height of 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) and has a maximum range of about 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers).

The F-16's armament includes a 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon, AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), the AIM-9 Sidewinder, the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), and the AGM-65 Maverick, among others. It can also carry a variety of bombs, including laser-guided bombs.

During the year-long war, Ukraine has been asking the U.S. and other allies for military aircraft. The U.S. has provided Ukraine with other forms of military assistance, but providing fighter jets is still a touchy subject due to concerns that it would intensify the conflict with Russia.

#ukraine

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