The National Interest on MSN

That Time the Air Force Built an F-16 with Delta Wings

At supersonic speeds, the XL proved more efficient than the standard F-16, with the potential for greater un-refueled range—exactly what the Air Force needed for deep-strike missions.
National Security Journal on MSN

The U.S. Air Force’s F-16XL Radical Fighter ‘Mistake’ Still Hurts to This Day

Born from General Dynamics’ SCAMP effort, the F-16XL transformed the Falcon with a cranked-arrow delta wing, added fuel, and up to 27 weapon stations—aimed at deep-strike parity with the F-111.