Today in History

[air marshal]

July 27, 2000
South Korea orders 20 F-16s (Peace Bridge III).

 

[air marshal]

July 28, 1983
First F-16 LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) system test flight, with targeting pod only.

July 28, 1999
New Zealand orders 28 F-16s. The deal is later cancelled.

 

[air marshal]

July 29, 1996
Jordan orders 16 F-16s (Peace Falcon I) becoming the 19th customer.

 

[air marshal]

July 30, 1981
First production F-16A block 15 (#80-0660) is delivered to the IDFAF.

July 30, 1983
Completion of Phase I testing of Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F-16, focusing on development and integration of a new digital flight control system.

July 30, 1993
First USAF F-16A (#79-0340) arrives at AMARC for storage under designation AAFG0012. It will be followed by 350+F-16s to be stored at the facility.

 

[air marshal]

July 31, 1984
AFTI/F-16 begins second phase of testing with new avionics and other systems.

 

[air marshal]

August 1, 1993
The House Armed Services Committee of U.S. Congress approves funds for 24 USAF F-16s in 1994, with longlead money for 24 more in 1995.

 

[air marshal]

August 2, 1986
Indonesia orders 12 F-16s (Peace Bima-Sena) becoming the 14th customer.

 

[air marshal]

August 3, 1986
USAF F-16 fleet exceeds 90-percent mission-capable rate for the first month, far exceeding TAC standards.

 

[air marshal]

August 4, 1982
First dedicated Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F-16 test flight.

 

[air marshal]

August 5, 1984
Denmark orders an additional 12 F-16s.

August 5, 1997
HAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Xenia II order.

August 5, 2005
RAFO accepts first F-16 from Peace A'sama A'safiya order.

 

[air marshal]

August 6, 1981
An F-16 destroys a F-102 target drone during first guided launch of an all-weather AMRAAM radar-guided missile.

 

[air marshal]

August 8, 1975
F-16 manufacturing begins. (first chips)

August 8, 1977
Maiden flight of the first FSD F-16B (#75-0751).

 

[air marshal]

August 9, 1979
First crash of an F-16. A Belgian air force pilot, part of the 16 TFTS (OT&E), flew a USAF aircraft (#78-0078) into the ground during final approach.

 

[air marshal]

August 10, 1978
F-16 becomes first single-seat fighter to achieve accurate, unassisted delivery of laser-guided weapons.

 

[air marshal]

August 11, 1994
AGM-84 Harpoon integration on F-16 successful.