WeaponSpecs

Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon vs Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor

Full specs: Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor

Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon and Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor are both fighter aircraft, compared here on public specifications. The Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon leads on weapons payload (7,700 vs 2,270 kg).

Compare systems side by side

Search above to add up to five systems. You’ll get a per-spec winner, relative bars, a normalized spec profile and an honest verdict, every number from public sources.

Building a fleet? Try the Force Builder →

Full data

Full spec sheet

Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon Wins 7/12
Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor Wins 5/12
Performance
Max speed (km/h) 2,120 km/h 2,410 km/h
Max speed (Mach) (Mach) 2 Mach 2.25 Mach
Cruise speed (km/h) N/A 1,960 km/h
Range (km) 4,220 km 2,960 km
Combat radius (km) 550 km 850 km
Service ceiling (m) 15,240 m 19,812 m
Rate of climb (m/s) 254 m/s 254 m/s
Thrust-to-weight 1.1 1.08
Firepower
Hardpoints 11 8
Weapons payload (kg) 7,700 kg 2,270 kg
Physical
Length (m) 15.06 m 18.92 m
Empty weight (kg) 9,207 kg 19,700 kg
Combat weight (kg) 19,187 kg 29,410 kg
Crew 1 1
Propulsion
Thrust (kN) 129 kN 156 kN
Program
Unit cost (USD) $63,000,000 $143,000,000
Units built 4,600 195
Operator countries 25 1

Frequently asked questions

Which is faster, Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon and Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor? +

The Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 2,410 km/h.

Which has the longer range? +

The Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon has the longest range at 4,220 km.

Which carries the larger weapons payload? +

The Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon carries the largest weapons payload at 7,700 kg.

Which is cheaper? +

The Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon has the lower public unit-cost figure at 63,000,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.

Which has the higher max speed (mach)? +

The Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor has the higher max speed (mach) at 2.25 Mach.

Which has the higher combat radius? +

The Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor has the higher combat radius at 850 km.

Is the Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon better than the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor? +

On the public specs we track, Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon and Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor are closely matched, Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon leads on range, weapons payload, thrust-to-weight, while Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor leads on max speed, max speed (mach), 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.

Keep exploring

More head-to-heads