A-10 Thunderbolt II vs F-16 Fighting Falcon
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is faster: 2,120 km/h against 706 km/h for the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The F-16 Fighting Falcon flies further: 4,220 km against 4,150 km for the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The A-10 Thunderbolt II has the wider wingspan: 17.5 m against 10 m for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is heavier at takeoff: 23 tonnes against 19 tonnes for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The A-10 Thunderbolt II first flew in 1972, 2 years before the F-16 Fighting Falcon (1974).
| A-10 Thunderbolt II | F-16 Fighting Falcon |
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| Top speed | 706 km/h (439 mph) | 2,120 km/h (1,317 mph) |
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| Range | 4,150 km (2,579 miles) | 4,220 km (2,622 miles) |
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| Length | 16.3 m (53 ft) | 15.1 m (49 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 17.5 m (58 ft) | 10 m (33 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 23 t (50,706 lb) | 19 t (42,328 lb) |
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| First flight | 1972 | 1974 |
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| Crew and capacity | 1 pilot | 1 pilot |
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| Engines | 2 × TF34 turbofan | 1 × afterburning turbofan |
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| Built by | Fairchild Republic | General Dynamics |
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| Country | USA | USA |
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