The Air Force’s F-16XL ‘Cranked-Arrow’ Fighter Summed Up in 4 Words

The Air Force’s F-16XL ‘Cranked-Arrow’ Fighter Summed Up in 4 Words

Key Points and Summary – The F-16XL was a radical, experimental variant of the iconic F-16, featuring a massive “cranked-arrow” delta wing. This innovative design gave it double the wing area, allowing it to carry twice the weapons and fly 50% farther than a standard F-16, with incredible maneuverability. Despite its impressive performance, the F-16XL lost the Air Force’s Enhanced Tactical Fighter competition in the 1980s to what would become th…