The F-16 at full military power and low altitudes burns about 8000 pounds of fuel an hour, which with a full droptank configuration gives it about 2 hours’ flight time. Cruising at higher altitudes, that flight time can be further extended as both the higher altitude and the lower throttle setting about 80% reduce fuel flow rate by up to 40% versus low-altitude flight.
source/image: Aleksander Ellefsen
In full afterburner at low altitudes, the F-16 can burn in excess of 64,000 pounds an hour.In this version of F-16 experience, however, we’re checking out how impressive the plane can be all without even moving.
At full throttle, a U.S.-variant F-16 with maximum external fuel stores has about 20 minutes until it’s on emergency reserves which would only last an extra minute or so at full afterburner.
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The speed gain is minimal the F-16 cruises at between 450-550 knots, while full afterburner only increases that to about 700-800 knots with a typical underwing loadout. So, burning 8 times the fuel, you get around a 50% speed boost.
