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F-16 Fighting Falcon vs Q-5 / A-5 Fantan

F-16 Fighting Falcon vs Q-5 / A-5 Fantan at a glance — top speed 2,178 vs 1,210 km/h, range 4,217 vs 2,000 km, max takeoff weight 19,200 vs 11,300 kg, built 4,604 vs 1,300 units.

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇺🇸 F-16 Fighting Falcon
Nanchang Q-5 / A-5 Fantan combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇨🇳 Q-5 / A-5 Fantan
Specifications
F-16 Fighting Falcon Q-5 / A-5 Fantan
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇨🇳 China
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer General Dynamics Nanchang
First flight 2 February 1974 4 June 1965
Year introduced 1979 1970
Number produced 4604 units 1300 units
Average unit price $18.8 million $3 million
Wing area 27.9 m² 27.9 m²
Wingspan 10.0 m 9.7 m
Height 4.9 m 4.3 m
Length 15.1 m 15.7 m
Maximum speed 2178 km/h 1210 km/h
Operational range 4,217 km 2,000 km
Service ceiling 15,240 m 16,500 m
Max. takeoff weight 19,200 kg 11,300 kg
Empty weight 8,570 kg 6,400 kg
Total thrust 1 x 12,701 kgf 2 x 3,750 kgf
Performance Radar Chart
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is faster with a maximum speed of 2,178 km/h compared to the Q-5 / A-5 Fantan's 1,210 km/h, a difference of 968 km/h.
Which has longer range, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon has a longer range at 4,217 km compared to the Q-5 / A-5 Fantan's 2,000 km.
Which can fly higher, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The Q-5 / A-5 Fantan has a higher service ceiling at 16,500 meters (54,133 ft) compared to the F-16 Fighting Falcon's 15,240 meters (50,000 ft).
Which is heavier, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 19,200 kg compared to the Q-5 / A-5 Fantan's 11,300 kg.
Which is larger, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The Q-5 / A-5 Fantan is longer at 15.7 meters compared to the F-16 Fighting Falcon's 15.1 meters.
Which is more expensive, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is more expensive at approximately $19 million per unit compared to the Q-5 / A-5 Fantan at $3.0 million.
Which entered service first, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The Q-5 / A-5 Fantan entered service first in 1970, 9 years before the F-16 Fighting Falcon which entered service in 1979.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon has been produced in greater numbers with 4,604 units compared to 1,300 units of the Q-5 / A-5 Fantan.