Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon vs Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35
Full specs: Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35
Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 are both fighter aircraft, compared here on public specifications. The Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon leads on range (4,220 vs 3,500 km). Several China-origin figures here are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification, so treat this comparison as directional.
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Full data
Full spec sheet
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (km/h) | 2,120 km/h | 2,200 km/h ✓ |
| Max speed (Mach) (Mach) | 2 Mach ✓ | 1.8 Mach |
| Range (km) | 4,220 km ✓ | 3,500 km |
| Combat radius (km) | 550 km | 1,250 km ✓ |
| Service ceiling (m) | 15,240 m | 16,000 m ✓ |
| Thrust-to-weight | 1.1 ✓ | 0.98 |
| Firepower | ||
| Hardpoints | 9 ✓ | 8 |
| Weapons payload (kg) | 7,700 kg | 8,000 kg ✓ |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 15.06 m | 17.3 m |
| Empty weight (kg) | 8,570 kg | 17,000 kg |
| Combat weight (kg) | 12,000 kg | 28,000 kg |
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Propulsion | ||
| Thrust (kN) | 129 kN ✓ | 100 kN |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $30,000,000 | N/A |
| Units built | 4,600 ✓ | 20 |
| Operator countries | 25 ✓ | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35? +
The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 2,200 km/h.
Which has the longer range? +
The Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon has the longest range at 4,220 km.
Which carries the larger weapons payload? +
The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 carries the largest weapons payload at 8,000 kg.
Which is cheaper? +
The Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon has the lower public unit-cost figure at 30,000,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher max speed (mach)? +
The Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon has the higher max speed (mach) at 2 Mach.
Which has the higher combat radius? +
The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 has the higher combat radius at 1,250 km.
Is the Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon better than the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35? +
On the public specs we track, Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 are closely matched, Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon leads on range, max speed (mach), thrust-to-weight, while Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-35 leads on max speed, weapons payload, combat radius. See the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
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