General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon YF-16

The YF-16 was developed for the USAF Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program, seeking a highly maneuverable day fighter lighter than contemporaries such as the F-15. General Dynamics competed against Northrop's YF-17 and flew the first prototype on 2 February 1974 at Edwards AFB, following an unplanned high-speed taxi test that is unofficially regarded as its true first flight. On 13 March 1974 it reached Mach 2 at 12,192 m. In January 1975 the USAF selected the YF-16 over the YF-17, launching the F-16A/B production program.