Experiences in the Vietnam War revealed the need for air superiority, fighters and better air-to-air training for fighter pilots. Based on his experiences in the Korean War and as a fighter tactical instructor in the early 1960s, Colonel John Boyd with mathematician Thomas Christie developed the Energy–maneuverability theory to model a fighter aircraft’s performance in combat.
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Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. More notably, the F-16 has also been procured to serve in the air forces of 25 other nations. As of 2015, it is the second most common operational military aircraft in the world.
Is the F-16 the most successful fighter jet in military history? Sound off and share your opinions and comments in the section below.
