Monday, July 11, 2011

Body Movements and Their Meanings - Physical Expression Speaks Louder Than Words

Body language, also called as non-verbal communications, is typically subconscious behaviour. This is why it is considered distinct from sign language, which is a conscious and intentional act of communication.

There are believed to be six facial emotion found all around the world – happiness, surprise, anger, sadness, fear, and disgust. And since those emotions can be read so easily, people like to hide or mask them in situations when they dont want thier true feelings known.

According to Albert Mehrabian, a psychologist and expert on non-verbal communication, there are three elements in face-to-face encounters – tone of voice, the words, and body language. He believed that words made up a mere 7% of all the impression given, the tone of voice accounted for 38%, while body language 55%. The body language component was 40% for facial expressions and movements, and 15% for appearance. However, his experiments involved people’s feelings and attitudes. This means that the percentages may not be correct in other situations. This also shows us how important the face is in all person-to-person communications.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Facts About Sugars

how dangerous is sugar
Sugars are a class of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates can be divided into 3 different groups, they are sugars, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Not only that, sugars can also be divided into 3 classes, they are monosaccharides; disaccharides and polyols.

Single unit sugars are known as monosaccharides. Those commonly found in food are glucose, fructose (one of tha main sugars in fruits), and galactose (in milk). Two monosaccharides that are linked together are known as disaccharides. Those commonly found are sucrose (glucose+fructose), maltose (glucose+glucose), and lactose (glucose+galactose).

References to "sugars" means any combination of di-, monno- and oligosaccharides, while references to "sugar" mean sucrose or table sugar.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Harold Egbert Camping Interview Regarding His Prophecies

Harold Camping
According to Harold Camping, there wont even be a 2012. He displays that number with a red slash through it on his website. Camping also warned that those who dont accept his calculations, including even devout Christians, these people will face “sudden destruction” when Jesus returns.
Here, Dr. Stephen Meyers interviews Harold Egbert Camping on 7 April 2011 about his views on Judgment Day.

William and Catherine Royal Wedding Predictions

chinese fortune teller
Eunice Yoon and Chinese fortune teller, Chen Shuaifo
Chen Shuaifu (China’s top fortune teller) predicted that the marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton will not last long as both of them will face many difficult test to pass. “Their marriage wont make it through the winter of 2015. And from their faces, their most distinctive character is that two of them are stubborn and like to dominate” said Chen Shuaifo, as reported by CNN, Sunday, April 17. To make matters worse, the sapphire engagement ring which belonged to Princess Diana, apparently carries the burden of her death.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

William and Kate Psychic Predictions

Not to participate in the gloomy prediction of Chen Shuaifu (Chinese fortune teller), Arun Kumar Bansal, president of all India Partnership of astrologers societies clarified that William and Catherine (Kate) are well-matched. In other words, he described it as “Mostly rosy future”. The couple rates 24 out of 36 general compatibility points. He also sees Middletton’s willingness to accomodate the future heir to the throne as a key factor for a successful marriage.

Of course there is a fly in the ointment. The royal couple might have hard time conceiving the next heir to the throne.

Baba Vanga Prophecies

Vangelia Pandeva Dimitrova (baba Vanga)Baba Vanga, also known as Vangelia Pandeva Dimitrova, her married name is Vangelia Gushterova , is one of the lesser-known prophets, mystic, clairvoyant and herbalist in Western Culture. She was a Bulgarian who suffered from health complications and born prematurely on October 3, 1911 and spent most of her life in the Kozhuh mountains in the small village.

Vangelia was an intelligent girl, with blond hair and blue eyes. Unfortunately, her mother died when she was quite young and her father was conscripted into the Bulgarian army during WW1. At the age of 12, a wind storm lifted her up and she was thrown to the ground. After a long search, she was found with sand and dust in her eyes. Because of the pain, she could not open them and she eventually became blind. From here, her gift of foresight soon began to show afterwards.

2012 Doomsday (End of the world)?

Many people recently believe that in the year 2012 there will be some sort of enormous cataclysm and great shift in life. Some even believe all these changes are going to happen on a specific date, namely December 12, 2012. It is believed when the sun rises on that day, it will rise on the winter solstice, directly in the middle of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. The position might cause the usual energy that typically streams to earth from the ccenter of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on December 21, 2012 at 11.11 p.m. This is said to cause a great shift in the consciousness of life on the planet and the planet itself.

How Mayan Long Count Calendar Works

The Long Count calendar represents a cycle of time which is approximately 5,125 years. The span of the Long Count calendar is called the Great Cycle.
There are five digits in Mayan Long Count calendar, it starts at 0.0.0.0.0 and ends at 13.0.0.0.0 each zero from the right goes from 0-19 and the second digit from the right rolls over to 0 when it reaches 18.

Mayan Calendar December 21, 2012

December 21, 2012 the day which many people believe it is “doomsday”, because the Mayan calendar ends on this day. Mayan calendar is the system of calendars and almanacs created by Maya civilization of ancient Mesoamerica and it is still used by some modern Maya communities. There is some lingering disagreement over which day marks thhe exact beginning of the Mayan calendar. One of the common known date is 11 August, 3114 BC, while other researchers believe it is on 13 August, 3114 BC (which would make Dec. 23 is the big day). Some people only believe that in the year 2012 there will be only a great change, but not “the end of the world” and some people believe nothing will happen, we will pass the days just like any other ordinary days.

The Mayans have complicated system of calendars. They used many different calendars, most of the calendars were short and each calendar has a different purpose. Here are some of the more commonly known Mayan calendars:

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Carole Horlock - World's Most Prolific Surrogate Mother

Carole Horlock - Surrogate Mother
Carole Horlock is listed as the world most prolific surrogate mother, who has delivered 12 babies in 13 years, including triplets. The triplets' parents are a Greek couple in their thirties and the mother, who is a teacher, had a hysterectomy. Although she can still produce eggs but she cannot carry a baby. Embryos made from the mother's eggs and the father's sperm were implanted into Miss Horlock's womb.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

How LPG Regulators Work

Facts about Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Devices which regulate propane fuel flow are called as propane regulators. Since the regulator (also referred to as a vaporizer) is such an important device in any LPG gas system, it is crucial to know how the regulator works.

Propane tank contains a flammable liquid that is usually pumped from a larger tank into smaller one. Since the gas is a liquid under pressure that will become a lighter-than-air substance when being consumed, therefore it can build to a very high pressure. The pressure must then be regulated as it exists the tank otherwise it will rupture hoses or create a substantial explosion. Because of this pressure regulator is used so that the liquid in the tank can be dispensed for a safe and efficient consumption.

Monday, April 12, 2010

How House Foundation is Built - Difference Between Crawl Space and Slab

Building a house starts from its foundation (the most important part). The weight of the house are supported by the footers and foundations, and they are usually made from concrete or masonry. After this is completed, the ground floor can be built from wood or concrete. And when the floor is completed then framing (the process of using wood or metal beams) begins.

Houses today are generally built on a foundation that is either a slab, a crawl space, or a basement.  Basements are more expensive to build, but many people are willing to pay for it since land costs are very high because basements allow for the more living space. Depending where and when a house was built, its foundation can be made of brick, stone, preservative-treated lumber, concrete block, or poured concrete. The most common foundation's material today is concrete.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Facts about Cougars (Puma Concolor) - The Fourth Biggest Cat in the World

A cougar (or also called as puma, catamount, mountain cat, or mountain lion) is a large tan colored cat. It holds the Guinness record for the animal in the world with the highest number of names (40 names in English alone!).

Mountain lion head


Other names include panther, American lion, fire cat, screamer, yuma puma, Florida panther and painted cat.

Cougar is the largest cat in the Americas. It is the largest of the small cats.

How to Stop Rats and Mice From Entering Your House

how to prevent rats from entering your house
Rats can be so much dangerous. They can ruin our food, destroy things in our home and start electrical fires. Not only that, rats and their fleas also can carry disease. Now is the time to find out how to prevent all these scavengers from moving indoors to live with us. Here are a few steps that you might need to know.

Keep the windows and doors of your home closed at all times if possible. Although mice and rats are active at night but they can enter through your open windows and doors during the day when they are under real pressure to find shelter and food. Cover or fill any holes or gaps around your home that are 0.635 cm or larger. The rib cages of rats and mice can be flatten to fit through very small gaps and if their head can fit through, their body can follow. Mice can fit through an opening as small as 0.635 cm and rats can fit through an opening as small as 1.27 cm.

Remove all food sources. Rats can eat the same food as we do (fruits, snacks, cakes, fats, oils that have been spilled, grains, rice, vegetables, oats, and many more. Dont leave pet food outdoors. Use birdfeeders with trays and clean up spilled seeds. Dispose of rubbish promptly and keep your bin lids tightly closed. Any covers or plugs used should be rodent-chewing proof.

repel rats and mice naturally
Keep your garden and home clean and free of clutter. Stack fire wood 46 cm off the ground and away from all buildings. Cut back trees overhanging your deck and roof. Roof rats are excellent climbers and they love to walk along branches that overhang roofs and will leap from these trees to enter your attic space.

Watch for signs of rat infestation, such as chewed boxes or droppings. Before you go to sleep, you can try coating your floor and counter tops with a thin layer of talcum powder and look for tracks the next day in order to determine where the rats are coming in.

You can set traps in the places where you see their droppings or other signs of infestation. Before you do this, be extra careful especially for those who have pets or young children. Make sure all these traps are out of reach from young children, you can place them inside the cabinets instead of placing them on floors or counters.

Wear gloves when removing a trapped rodent. After that you should wrap it in a bag and then place it in the garbage outside. Traps should be remain in places for a few weeks, so that you make sure there are no more rodents in the house. Do not try to trap a mice with a rat trap or vice versa.

Facts About House Lizards, or the Common House Geckos

A house lizard is also called a gecko (or Asian house gecko). Native to the southern Asia, house lizards are named so because they are found mostly on the ceilings and walls of human home.

These small geckos grow to a length of about 7.5 to 15 cm and live for about 5 years. It has a concave forehead with a long snout. Geckos also have large eyes but without eyelids. They have broad padded toes without webs and an elongated tail that tapers toward the end. The color of their body varies between grayish white to pale yellow.

They are found in Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Mauritius, Andaman Nicobar Island, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Polynesia, Phillipines etc. It was introduced to other countries like Brazil, Mexico, Australia, United States, Eastern Africa etc.
Asian house gecko

Geckos may be nocturnal but these small lizards rely on light – they eat insects that are attracted by light. They like to stay motionlessly under artificial light in order to hunt down insects.

They can withstand cold climate, they can even withstand hotter months as well. House geckos like to take shelter around structures in crack and crevices.

House geckos are considered by many as friends, not foes. They keep our houses safe from spiders, cockroaches and other insects. They are also harmless and are not venomous. In fact, in Spanish they are called “housecleaners”.

When they feel threatened, geckos will run back to their shelter. Like many geckos, this species will leave its tail when alarmed or grabbed by the tail – it does this as a defense mechanism. A new tail then grows back later.

house lizard facts
When gecko drops its tail, the tail will keep wriggling around on the floor so that the enemy can be distracted while the gecko makes its escape. They also produce a high-pitched call or squek when alarmed.

Geckos have several hundred thousand fine hairs on their toes which allow the animals to ‘stick’ to most surfaces including glass and mirrors. And for that reason a house gecko can impressively walk along walls and the ceiling to hunt down insects.

Teflon is the only known surface to which this small lizard cannot cling.

These species will usually attain their sexual maturity in one year. In order to attract the females for mating, the male geckos will produce a sound.

Common house geckos are popular among pet owners because these animals are very small, inexpensive, harmless, and relatively easy to keep in captivity.

How to Repel Cockroaches Naturally

Cockroaches are a high risk pest to have in your home as these dirty insects carry a range of serious illness such as dysentery, salmonella, and gastro-enteritis and typhoid. Although cockroaches are large in some parts of the world, the ones in your house are usually small. The problem is they generally hide during the day, and therefore if you cant find any of the insects in your place, it doesnt mean they are not there.

Facts About Formosan Termites

Like other subterranean termites, Formosan termites also have 3 forms – alates (swarmers), soldiers and workers. However, identification requires only the study of the soldiers and alates. The Formosan termite soldiers are identified by their head, which is a teardrop shape and brown-orange in color. The Formosan termite alate is 12 – 15 mm long with a yellowish-brown body.

The soldiers have white bodies and curved mandibles. Another characteristic is that when attacked, Formosan termites will secrete a milky white substance from their head. Their wings are also covered in hairs. Soldiers comprise about 10% of the colony.

Formosan termites are also called as the “super termite”, this is because they are more destructive and aggressive than their relatives. A single colony may contain several million individuals whereas other subterranean termite species only several hundred thousand). They also have the ability to consume wood at a rapid rate. A mature colony may consume as much as 13 ounces (about 400 g) of wood a day and can seriously damage a structure in as little as 3 months.
King queen Formosan termites workers soldiers

In the United States, this species is commonly found in the following Southern States Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Virginia, Souh Carolina and North Carolina. However, they have also been found in Arizona, Texas, Hawaii, and California as well. Formosan termites are in fact originated from southern China to Formosa (Taiwan, where it gets its name).

Formosan termites feed on wood and paper products (like all termite species). They can infest and destroy otherwise healthy trees. They also have been known to attack over 49 plant species, and even some non-cellulose objects like plastic, rubber, soft metals, asphalt, mortar and creosote when looking for moisture and new food sources.

Formosan termites are most visible during their annual mating flight. Queens can produce 1,000 eggs a day.

Formosan termites swarming

The nests that Formosan Termites create are called “carton nests”. They use wood and soil cemented together with their feces and saliva to build these nests, within walls. These nests house thousands of Formosan termites as well as hold moisture. Large cartons can actually cause walls to bulge. Once established, these termites can live indefinitely without soil contact.

What makes Formosan termites different from other subterranean termites is that they make their carton nests that resemble packed cardboard inside a wall and in many cases you can find entire walls full of this “carton” material.

Formosan termite control begins with eliminating sources of moisture both outside and inside of your home. Inside, homeowners should reduce humidity in areas such as crawl spaces, basements and attics with proper ventilation.

Carton Nest

Saturday, April 4, 2009

The Crow Movie Facts

The crow in the movie
The Crow is based on the 1989 comic book of the same name. The comic book was created by James O’Barr, an American graphic artist.

The action film was released on Friday the 13th, May, 1994.

The film was written by John Shirley and David J. Schow, and directed by Alex Proyas.

The film is about a rock musician named Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) who comes from the dead in order to take revenge on those who had murdered him as well as his fiancee, Shelly.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Why Yemen is Divided: History, Sects, and the Road to Civil War

Facts About Yemen 

Size and Population

The population of Yemen is approximately 40.6 million. Yemen has more people than Saudi Arabia, even though Saudi Arabia is much wealthier and more developed.

map location of yemen

Yemen ranks second in size and first in population among the seven countries of the Arabian Peninsula.

Yemen is generally considered one of the poorest Arab countries, and by several economic measures it is at or near the very bottom. The World Bank reported that Yemen's economy had suffered a severe decline after years of conflict.

Yemen's population is very unevenly distributed. Most Yemenis live in the western and west-central parts of the country, especially in the mountainous highlands around the capital, Sana'a. The eastern part of Yemen is much more sparsely populated because it consists largely of dry desert.

Why do people concentrate in the west?

More rainfall and farmland. The western highlands receive more seasonal rainfall than the eastern desert, making it easier to grow crops and sustain villages.

Established cities and communities. Sana'a, Taiz and Ibb are surrounded by long-established farming and residential areas that support large populations.

Harsh conditions in the east. Much of eastern Yemen is extremely dry, with limited water and farmland. People are more spread out, often living near towns, valleys and water sources.

A historical geographical analysis estimated that about 90% of Yemen's population lives in the western half of the country. That means a large portion of Yemen's territory contains relatively few people, while its western highlands contain many towns, villages and farms close together.

the poorest arab country

Language and Religion

Yemenis mainly speak Arabic, and almost the entire population follows Islam. However, Yemen has an important religious difference: its Muslims are divided between Sunni and Shia traditions, which helps explain some of the country's political and regional conflicts.

Arabic is Yemen's official language and the everyday language of the vast majority of Yemenis. People speak different Yemeni Arabic dialects depending on their region. 

Sana'a and the north: Northern Yemeni Arabic dialects. Whereas Aden and the south: Southern varieties of Yemeni Arabic. Eastern Yemen: Other regional dialects, influenced by local history and neighboring areas.

Some communities also speak Soqotri and Mehri, which are distinct languages related to Arabic through their broader Semitic language family. They are particularly associated with Socotra Island and parts of eastern Yemen.

What is the difference between Sunni and Shia in Yemen?

Yemen is overwhelmingly Muslim. The two main traditions are Sunni Islam and Shia Islam, particularly the Zaydi branch of Shia Islam.

Sunni Muslims (approximately 60–65%) are especially prominent in southern and southeastern Yemen, as well as in parts of the west and other regions.

Shia Muslims is approximately 35–40%. Most Yemeni Shia Muslims follow Zaydism, a branch with its own religious history and traditions. Zaydis are particularly associated with northern Yemen.

Both Sunnis and Shias believe in Allah, recognize the Quran as their holy book, and regard Muhammad as the final prophet. Their historical disagreement concerns leadership of the Muslim community after Muhammad's death, along with differences in religious traditions and jurisprudence.

History

Yemen has one of the oldest and most fascinating histories in the Middle East. It was once home to wealthy kingdoms that controlled important incense and trade routes, later became an important center of Islamic civilization, and eventually split into two countries before reunifying in 1990. Today, it is internationally recognized as one country, but it has suffered years of civil war.

Long before Saudi Arabia and the modern states of the Middle East existed, southern Arabia was home to several powerful kingdoms such as Kingdom of Saba (Sheba) and Kingdom of Himyar. 

Yemen was sometimes called Arabia Felix, meaning “Happy Arabia” or “Fortunate Arabia,” by the Romans because of its agricultural wealth and valuable trade.

Unlike the image of Yemen as a poor country today, parts of ancient Yemen were prosperous centers of commerce and civilization.

yemen country facts

The arrival of Islam

Islam spread to Yemen during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad and in the decades following his death in 632 CE. Yemen gradually became part of the wider Muslim world, connecting it to trade networks and political centers across Arabia, North Africa and the Middle East.

The Ottoman Empire and British rule

Yemen's modern history was shaped by two outside powers.

The Ottoman Empire controlled parts of northern Yemen during several periods, including much of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Britain captured the strategic port of Aden in 1839. Aden was valuable because it sat near the entrance to the Red Sea, along the route between Europe and Asia.

When the Ottoman Empire collapsed after World War I, northern Yemen became independent in 1918. Southern Yemen, meanwhile, remained under British control until Britain withdrew in 1967. 

This created a lasting division: the north and south developed different governments, political systems and international relationships.

yemen city facts

Yemen became two separate countries

North Yemen

In 1962, a revolution overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. A civil war followed between republican forces and royalists, with Egypt supporting the republicans and Saudi Arabia supporting the royalists.

South Yemen

After British withdrawal in 1967, southern Yemen became independent. In 1970, it adopted a Marxist-oriented political system and developed close ties with the Soviet Union.

For decades, the two Yemens were separate states. The north had closer ties with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, while the south was aligned with the Soviet bloc.

They also fought a brief border war in 1972 and again in 1979. Although both governments eventually pursued unification, their political differences remained substantial.

view city of yemen facts

Yemen reunified in 1990

On 22 May 1990, North Yemen and South Yemen officially united to form the Republic of Yemen.

The new country was led initially by Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had governed North Yemen, with southern leader Ali Salem al-Beidh becoming vice president.

However, unification did not immediately resolve tensions. Southern leaders felt increasingly marginalized, and in 1994 a civil war broke out after southern leaders attempted to secede. Northern government forces won, keeping the country united.

The important lesson is that Yemen's north–south division did not disappear when the border was removed. Regional identities, political rivalries and disagreements over resources continued.

The rise of the Houthis

The Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, originated in northern Yemen among communities connected to Zaydi Shia Islam.

Its rise was influenced by several factors:

Regional grievances: Supporters argued that northern communities were politically and economically marginalized.

Religious identity: The movement grew partly in response to concerns about the position of Zaydi traditions in Yemen.

Conflict with the government: Houthi forces fought several wars against Saleh's government between 2004 and 2010.

In 2011, the Arab Spring protests spread to Yemen. Demonstrators demanded political reform and an end to Saleh's long rule. Saleh eventually stepped down in 2012, transferring power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

But the transition struggled with corruption, economic hardship, regional grievances and disagreements over how power should be shared. The Houthis took advantage of this instability and captured the capital, Sana'a, in September 2014.

Monday, September 15, 2008

How Powerful Is the F-16? Specs, Variants, and Combat Record

Facts About F-16 Fighting Falcon

 The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a 4th-generation fighter aircraft, but modern upgraded versions are often described as 4.5-generation fighters. Despite being designed in the 1970s, it remains one of the most widely used and combat-proven fighter families in the world.

Its strength is that it combines high speed, excellent maneuverability, modern weapons, and relatively affordable operating costs. In the hands of a well-trained pilot, a modern F-16 can be a very dangerous opponent.

us fighter jet f16

What generation is each F-16 version?

F-16A/B — Early versions (4th generation).

Introduced in the late 1970s. The original lightweight fighter, designed primarily for air-to-air combat. It has older radar and avionics compared with modern versions.

F-16C/D — Improved versions (4th generation)

Introduced in the 1980s. More capable radar, improved electronics, and a broader range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. Later upgrades make some versions substantially more powerful than early F-16s.

F-16V / Block 70/72 — Modern versions (4.5 generation)

Modernized configuration. Features such as an AESA radar, advanced mission computer, improved cockpit displays, and modern weapons make it much more capable at detecting and engaging targets.

One important distinction: The F-16V is not a fifth-generation stealth fighter. It remains an upgraded fourth-generation design, without the integrated stealth characteristics of aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35.

An old F-16A and a new F-16V should not be treated as equivalent aircraft just because they share the same name. Their radar, avionics, weapons compatibility and overall combat effectiveness can differ significantly.

Note: Some sources use "3rd‑generation" in the Russian/Chinese numbering system, which directly corresponds to Western "4th‑generation."

f16 fighter jet facts

How powerful is the F-16

SpecValue
Max speedMach 2.05 (~2,178 km/h)
Service ceilingAbove 50,000 ft / 15 km
Combat radius~550 km (air‑air config); ferry range 4,200+ km
G‑limit+9g — exceptional maneuverability
Engine thrust23,770–29,500 lbf (106–131 kN) afterburning (F100 or F110)
Max takeoff weight~16,900 kg (early) → ~21,800 kg (Block 70/72)
Max payload~7,700 kg across 11 hardpoints

The F‑16 is the definitive 4th‑generation light/medium multi‑role fighter, and the latest Block 70/72 is widely considered 4.5‑generation — with radar and avionics near 5th‑gen standards but without full stealth. It is fast, agile, well‑armed, and affordable — arguably the most successful Western fighter of its era.

f16 jet specs information

Side by Side Comparison With F-16V's Equivalents

CategoryF‑16V / Block 70 πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈMiG‑35 Fulcrum‑F πŸ‡·πŸ‡ΊJ‑10C Vigorous Dragon πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³JF‑17 Block III πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³/πŸ‡΅πŸ‡°
Generation4.54++ / 4.54.54.5
Primary RoleMultirole (medium)Multirole / Air SuperiorityMultirole (medium)Light multirole / budget fighter
Engine1 × F110‑GE‑132 / F100‑PW‑229
~29,000 lbf (130 kN) afterburn
2 × RD‑33MK
~39,400 lbf (175 kN) total
1 × WS‑10B
~29,700 lbf (132 kN)
1 × RD‑93 / WS‑13
~18,300 lbf (81 kN)
Max SpeedMach 2.05 (~2,175 km/h)Mach 2.25 (~2,450 km/h)Mach 2.0 – 2.2Mach 1.6 (~1,915 km/h)
Combat Radius~550 km (air‑air) → ~740 km (hi‑lo‑hi)~700 – 800 km~800 – 1,000 km~450 – 900 km (mission‑dependent)
Max Takeoff Weight21,770 kg~29,400 kg~19,500 kg~12,700 kg
Max Payload~7,700 kg / 11 hardpoints~6,500 kg / 9 hardpoints~6,000 – 6,500 kg / 11 hardpoints~3,600 kg / 7–8 hardpoints
RadarAN/APG‑83 AESA
~300 km detection (air)
Zhuk‑AME AESA
~160 km detection
KLJ‑7A AESA
~170 – 200 km
KLJ‑7A AESA
~170 km
Primary BVR MissileAIM‑120D (~160 km)R‑77M‑1 (~110–160 km)PL‑15 (~250–300 km)PL‑15E (~200 km)
CannonM61A1 20 mmGSh‑30‑1 30 mm23 mm twin‑barrel23 mm twin‑barrel
Service Ceiling50,000 ft / 15 km57,400 ft / 17.5 km56,000–59,000 ft / ~18 km50,000 ft / 15 km
Est. Unit Cost$63–80 M$40–50 M$40–45 M$16–18 M
Key StrengthsCombat‑proven (13M+ sorties), mature global network, 5th‑gen radar heritage, huge weapons selectionSuperior raw speed & climb, twin‑engine redundancy, very good low‑speed agilityLonger‑range AAM, comparable thrust/weight, canard agility, no Western export restrictionsLowest cost, AESA & PL‑15 capability, simpler maintenance, co‑produced with Pakistan
Key WeaknessesExport restrictions, shorter basic radiusVery limited production (~12 airframes), older EW architecture, few export customersLess combat experience, smaller weapon selection, limited export track recordLower performance ceiling, single engine weaker than others, lighter airframe limits growth
Production StatusActive — new builds being delivered 2025–2030Very low rate / essentially demonstratorActive — mass production for PLAAF & PakistanActive — main fighter for Pakistan

f16 fighter jet flying

Which fighter does the US have the most of?

According to the US Air Force inventory figures as of September 30, 2025, the F-16 is the most numerous fighter type in its fighter/attack inventory.

AircraftTotal ActiveNotes
✅ F-16 Fighting Falcon~826–846USAF only: 484 active + 296 ANG + 46 AFRC = 826
F-35 Lightning II (all variants)~724+ and risingUSAF 500A / USMC ~137B/C / USN ~87C; fast-growing
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet~549US Navy only
F-15 (all variants: C/D/E/EX)~533F-15E: 217; F-15C/D: ~75; F-15EX: 13; plus older models
F-22 Raptor184USAF only — production ended 2011

F-16 remains #1 today, but it's an aging fleet — average age ~34 years — and is being steadily phased out & replaced by the F-35, which will take the #1 spot by the early 2030s.

f16 fighter reload fuel

Has an F-16 ever been shot down?

The F-16 Fighting Falcon has been shot down in real combat several times. Despite being a highly capable fighter, it is not invincible. Some F-16s have been lost to enemy surface-to-air missiles, others to enemy fighters, and some to accidents or other causes.

2 June 1995 — Bosnia (Pilot survived)

A US Air Force F-16 flown by Captain Scott O'Grady was shot down by a Serbian SA-6 surface-to-air missile. He ejected and survived behind enemy lines for nearly six days before US Marines rescued him.

2 May 1999 — Serbia (Pilot survived)

Another US Air Force F-16 was shot down by a Serbian S-125 surface-to-air missile during NATO's air campaign. Its pilot, David Goldfein, ejected and was rescued.

DateConflictVariantDowned ByNotes
Feb 1991Desert StormF-16CIraqi AAA / SAMs5 lost — 2 SA-6/SA-3 SAMs, 1 SA-16 MANPADS, 2 AAA; 1 pilot POW
Jun 2, 1995BosniaF-16CSerbian SA-6 SAMPilot rescued
May 2, 1999KosovoF-16CGSerbian SA-3 (S-125) SAMPilot rescued; wreckage displayed in Belgrade

Foreign Operators:

DateOperatorVariantDowned ByNotes
Feb 10, 2018IsraelF-16I SufaSyrian S-200 SAMBoth pilots ejected safely
Dec 2015BahrainF-16CHouthi MANPADS/AAAYemen campaign; pilot ejected
2017JordanF-16AMHouthi firePilot killed
Oct 1996TurkeyF-16DGreek Mirage 2000 (R-550)Aegean incident; 1 pilot killed
2024–2025UkraineF-16AM/BMRussian SAMs (S-300/S-400)Multiple confirmed losses