Did you know that while early YF-16s were strictly limited to WVR dogfighting, the prototype F-20 Tigershark was already fully wired for BVR combat? The lightweight jet could pack up to four AIM-7s under its wings. Northrop didn’t stop at air-to-air superiority either; they aggressively flight-tested the F-20 with heavy strike hardware, proving it could lug AGM-65s and hunt ships with the AGM-84. It was the ultimate "what if" fighter, offering true 4th-gen lethality on the cheap.
We’re getting new engines!!
The thrust in the new Rolls Royce engines is similar, but they are 20-30% more fuel efficient, allowing for longer flights between refueling