SABCA F-16A Block 10A Fighting Falcon
SABCA · Belgium · first flew 1980 · fighter
Variant of the F-16 Fighting Falcon — family overview.
The F-16A Block 10A is a sub-variant designation applied to Belgian-assembled Block 10 Fighting Falcons produced by SABCA, incorporating minor Belgian Air Force-specific equipment differences from the standard Block 10. The aircraft are operationally equivalent to the standard Block 10.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.03 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Belgian-assembled F-16A at Block 10A sub-standard
- SABCA Gosselies production line aircraft
- Identical airframe to Block 10 with minor Belgian-specific equipment
Externally identical to all other early-block F-16As; no visible distinction from Block 10 standard aircraft without close inspection of specific equipment fits.
Specifications
- The SABCA F-16A Block 10A Fighting Falcon has a length of 15.03 m (49 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.45 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2120 km/h (1317 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
SABCA's production line at Gosselies assembled F-16s for the Belgian Air Force under the consortium agreement, with the 10A designation reflecting local equipment fits. Belgium was among the founding members of the four-nation F-16 production consortium established in 1975, alongside the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway.
Variants
The 10A sits alongside the standard Block 10 in the production sequence; Belgian aircraft were subsequently upgraded through the MLU programme to extend their service life into the 2020s.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the Belgian Air Component (formerly Belgian Air Force); upgraded aircraft served into the F-35 transition era.
Related aircraft
- F-16 Fighting Falcon
- SABCA F-16 Block 10B Fighting Falcon
- General Dynamics F-16A Block 10 Fighting Falcon
- General Dynamics F-16A Block 5 Fighting Falcon
- General Dynamics F-16B Block 1 Fighting Falcon
- General Dynamics F-16B Block 5 Fighting Falcon
- F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (Block 50/52)
- KF-16 Fighting Falcon
- SABCA S.2
- Aermacchi MB-339K Veltro II
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