Vought Model 1600: The Navy’s Big F-16 Fighter ‘Flying on Aircraft Carrier’ Mistake Still Stings

Vought Model 1600: The Navy’s Big F-16 Fighter ‘Flying on Aircraft Carrier’ Mistake Still Stings

Key Points and Summary – In the Navy’s 1970s hunt for a new fighter, Vought and General Dynamics proposed the Vought Model 1600—an F-16 adapted for aircraft carriers. The idea was simple: marry the F-16’s agility, fuel fraction, and maintainability to a naval airframe with beefed gear, arresting hook, corrosion control, BVR radar, and Sparrow-class missiles. F-16A on USS Intrepid NSJ Image. Taken by Jack Buckby on 9/18/2025. F-16 Logo on F-16A i…