In 2012, Lockheed Martin delivered the last F-22 off its assembly line, a mere 9 years after the first delivery of a production F-22 in 2003. The original F-22 buy plan had been 750 aircraft. The number eventually dwindled to less than 200 — with each reduction resulting in per-unit increase in cost.

By contrast, the first F-16 was delivered to the Air Force in 1979 (after the first test flight in 1974). As noted in a local paper (and repeated at the Stars and Stripes), Lockheed (who bought General Dynamics) is still churning out the F-16 after more than 4,500 have been delivered worldwide.

It is worth remembering that while technology can be a “force multiplier,” it rarely matches sheer mass.

On Thursday, the company celebrated the 40th anniversary of the jet’s first flight on Feb. 2, 1974, an event attended by Heath and other current and former innovators of the program.

“Think about that, 4,500 aircraft and we’re still going strong. It’s just an outstanding performance,” Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, told about 400 employees and others at the anniversary ceremony. “I personally look forward to coming back and celebrating the 80th anniversary of the F-16.”

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