The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine multirolefighter aircraft originally developed byGeneral Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) for the United States Air Force(USAF). Designed as an air superiorityday fighter, it evolved into a successfulall-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976.Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to theLockheed Corporation,[5] which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta