The historic F-16 - the iconic fighter jet that's still flying and fighting at the age of 50

In 1974, the F-16 fighter jet took its first flight and has remained an ever-present force all over the world, playing major roles in many conflicts.

At 50, the Fighting Falcon, nicknamed the Viper by its pilots, has been honoured by the US Air Force with a special livery in recognition of its milestone during a celebration event at Edwards Air Force Base in the California desert.

Multiple F-16s from units around the nation descended upon the US base to take part in Falcon Rejoin 50, which featured a performance from the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team as well as guest speakers who had contributed to both the development of the F-16 and also those who have flown the aircraft in combat.

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Longevity

Designed as a small, light and ultra-nimble dogfighter, the F-16 has been adapted across the decades to become a proven multi-role aircraft – and with around 3,000 F-16s in service today in 25 countries, it is the West's most widely produced military jet.

"If you get the fundamental design right, then you can eke a great deal of life out of the aircraft," Douglas Barrie , a senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), told Forces News.

He added: "The 1970s design and today's F-16, you recognise they are the same aircraft externally – internally they are very, very different. Radar upgrades, avionics upgrades and a far greater weapons capability."

Design benefits

In keeping with its dogfighting roots, the pilot sits in a raised cockpit with a huge canopy that offers an almost unrivalled view.

A combination of low weight and a powerful single engine creates a highly manoeuvrable aircraft – and to cope with forces up to 9.5 G the seat is reclined by 30 degrees to help keep the pilot conscious.

Designers did away with the traditional control stick between the pilot's legs. Instead, the F-16 has a joystick-style controller on the right side of the cockpit, more like one that would be used in a computer game.

It was the first aircraft in the world to use a fly-by-wire system and as a result, pilots say it is easy to fly.

It is also cost-effective. It may lack the range of some of its bigger twin-engine cousins like the Boeing F-15 Eagle and Eurofighter Typhoon, but it costs around half the price.

Throw in ease of maintenance and it is easy to see why the F-16 has become the backbone of many modern air forces.

This is  why Ukraine wants F-16s for its fight against Russia and why some of its pilots are undergoing training to fly and fight in the jet.

Legacy

Defence aerospace analyst Mr Barry said: "The training, as far as we can tell from the comments we see on open source [intelligence], is going well.

"Ukrainian pilots are obviously very keen to get into the field with the platform. What it will do is force the Russians to think more about the Ukrainian air defence capability in the air-to-air realm and it will make them alter their behaviour."

With a recent delivery of F-16s to Slovakia and more planned for Taiwan by the end of the year, the type's legacy continues to grow, meaning it is likely to remain in the skies for many years to come.