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January
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27 Jan 1983
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Maiden Flight of the first of 20 Dutch F-16A(R) aircraft equiped with the Orpheus Recce pod.
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February
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8 Feb 1983
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Belgium orders an additional 44 F-16s.
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9 Feb 1983
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Luke AFB, Arizona, is activated as a major F-16 pilot training base.
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April
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2 Apr 1983
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USAF aerial demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds, fly first public show with F-16A's.
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May
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15 May 1983
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Official end of comparative fly-off between F-16XL and F-15 in dual-role fighter program. The F-16XL is not destined for production, instead the F-15E is selected.
(Read more...)
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20 May 1983
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US President Ronald Reagan's administration lifts nearly year-long embargo on sale of advanced F-16 fighter planes to Israel, imposed after Israel invaded Lebanon.
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July
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Jul 1983
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First F-16 Air National Guard unit (169 FW), based at McEntire ANGB, South Carolina, is activated.
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1983
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Delivery is made of 1,000th F-16 manufactured to Hill AFB, Utah.
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28 Jul 1983
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First F-16 LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) system test flight, with targeting pod only.
(Read more...)
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30 Jul 1983
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Completion of Phase I testing of Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F-16, focusing on development and integration of a new digital flight control system.
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September
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8 Sep 1983
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Turkey orders 160 F-16s (Peace Onyx I) becoming the 11th customer.
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29 Sep 1983
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FAV accepts first F-16 from Peace Delta order.
(Read more...)
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October
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22 Oct 1983
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F-16 units place 1st, 2nd and 4th in USAF-wide Gunsmoke '83 bombing and strafing competition.
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28 Oct 1983
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Second LANTIRN-equipped F-16 made its first test flight, with both the navigating and targeting pods mounted.
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November
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9 Nov 1983
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PAF accepts first F-16 from Peace Gate II order.
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December
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14 Dec 1983
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The Dutch Parliament approves purchase of an additional 57 F-16s, bringing its total order to 213.
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14 Dec 1983
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Israel orders 75 F-16s (Peace Marbel II).
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