How The General Dynamics Of F-16’s Fly-By-Wire System Changed Modern Fighter Jet Design

The General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon first flew in 1974. The aircraft was a result of (among other things) politics in Washington lobbying against the F-15 Eagle and other high-end jets, and innovation at General Dynamics. Notably, it incorporated fly-by-wire controls developed by NASA for its space program. Not only did the fighter jet change the accepted design and template for fighter jets, but it also became the most popular 4th-generation fighter jet.