Live Fast, Die Young: The Story of the U.S. Navy's Hot-Rod F-16N

When you think of the F-16, the U.S. Navy probably isn't what pops into your head, but the truth is that the Air Force's mainstay fighter has a very colorful past serving with the seagoing service in the hands of highly-trained Topgun instructors and fleet adversary pilots. It all started with a purpose-built, stripped-down, hotrod of a Fighting Falcon, the F-16N. This is its fascinating story.



Check out one Naval Aviator's experience flying the F-16N here: https://www.twz.com/3383/what-it-was-...

Digital Combat Simulator footage from HeatBlur. https://store.heatblur.com/


The War Zone — also known by the shorthand TWZ — has become an essential resource for the national security community, the defense industry, and the interested public at large since it was launched in 2016.

From its early beginnings to the present day, TWZ’s purpose remains the same. We stand at the nexus of military technology, strategy, and foreign policy. As a full-spectrum defense news and analysis site, TWZ covers the air, sea, land, space, and cyber domains of warfare, with an infusion of geopolitical context and technological analysis that provides viewers with deeper insights and a richer understanding of the subjects we cover than what they will find elsewhere.

We have a true passion for the topics we cover and it’s an honor to be able to share that passion with our YouTube audience.


Follow TWZ on socials:
  / thewarzonewire  
  / thewarzonewire  
  / thewarzonewire  

Email [email protected] for inquiries.


Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:05 The F-16N's Origins
3:16 The F-16N's Design Specs
6:56 F-16N Training Ops
12:12 The Navy Says Goodbye To F-16Ns
13:58 Navy Vipers Rise Again