F-16 Agile Falcon

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Though it looks like a F-16, the F-2 is actually significantly larger and in fact more similar in performance to early model F-15s, the JASDF F-2 marks the success of both Japanese-American defense cooperation and the General Dynamics Agile Falcon concept.

The F-16 Agile Falcon was an engineering concept developed by General Dynamics in the 1980s. It was essentially an enlarged and updated F-16. Some features would be incorporated in Block 40 F-16, as well as forming the basis for the JASDF F-2.

The concept caused more interest in Japan, who essentially executed the Agile Falcon concept with further updated electronics as the F-2 developed in the 1990s and entering service in 2000 with a 60/40 split between Japan and the United States. General Dynamics aircraft division was sold to Lockheed Martin in the early 1990s, so Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Lockheed Martin were the primary developers. It remain in production as of 2006. While the F-16 Agile Falcon may not have been developed, the enlarged F-16 concept was borne out and succeeded technically (after some teething problems) for the JASDF.

[edit] Sources

• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/f-2.htm (accessed October 30th 2006)
• http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article21.html (accessed October 30th 2006)