Aircraft comparison
A-10 Thunderbolt II vs F-16 Fighting Falcon
Compare the specifications that meaningfully distinguish these two aircraft.
A-10 Thunderbolt II
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Manufacturer
Fairchild Republic
General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin
Role / type
Close air support aircraft
Multirole fighter
First flight
May 10, 1972
January 20, 1974
Engines
2 × high-mounted turbofans
1 × afterburning turbofan
Crew
1
1 or 2
Cruise speed
About 345 mph (555 km/h)
About 577 mph (929 km/h)
Maximum speed
About 420 mph (676 km/h)
Mach 2 class
Range
Combat radius about 250 nmi; ferry range about 2,240 nmi
Ferry range over 2,000 nmi with external tanks
Length
53 ft 4 in (16.26 m)
49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)
Wingspan
57 ft 6 in (17.53 m)
32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
Maximum takeoff weight
51,000 lb (23,133 kg)
About 42,300 lb (19,187 kg)
Production
1972–1984
1973–present
Number built
716
More than 4,600