- For PC
- For MAC
- For Linux
- OS: Windows 10 (64 bit)
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.2 GHz
- Memory: 4GB
- Video Card: DirectX 11 level video card: AMD Radeon 77XX / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660. The minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 23.1 GB (Minimal client)
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64 bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 3600 and better
- Memory: 16 GB and more
- Video Card: DirectX 11 level video card or higher and drivers: Nvidia GeForce 1060 and higher, Radeon RX 570 and higher
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 75.9 GB (Full client)
- OS: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0 or newer
- Processor: Core i5, minimum 2.2GHz (Intel Xeon is not supported)
- Memory: 6 GB
- Video Card: Intel Iris Pro 5200 (Mac), or analog from AMD/Nvidia for Mac. Minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p with Metal support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 22.1 GB (Minimal client)
- OS: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0 or newer
- Processor: Core i7 (Intel Xeon is not supported)
- Memory: 8 GB
- Video Card: Radeon Vega II or higher with Metal support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 62.2 GB (Full client)
- OS: Most modern 64bit Linux distributions
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.4 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 660 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months; the minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 22.1 GB (Minimal client)
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 64bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Memory: 16 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 1060 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD (Radeon RX 570) with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 62.2 GB (Full client)
The F-16XL is a variant of the F-16 featuring a delta wing, increased fuel capacity, and an expanded number of hardpoints. In 1981, the F-16XL lost the competition to the F-15E Strike Eagle; in 1988, the two prototypes that had been built were transferred to NASA, where they were used during the 1990s for supersonic laminar flow research. Get this unique aircraft, complete with a special camouflage, a loading screen, and themed decals in the Space Program aircraft event!
, earn mission points in Air Battles, unlock stages and receive rewards!
In the game, the F-16XL stands out as one of the most unusual variants of the Fighting Falcon family. The aircraft features increased weight compared to production models, a lengthened fuselage, and a unique wing design. While its acceleration is less dynamic, its performance in tight turns has improved. Its armament options include two AIM-9L and four AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, as well as up to six AGM-65B Maverick air-to-surface missiles and bombs for ground strikes.
Among the rewards in the event is also this chest. When opened, there is a chance to receive one of the following items:
- 50,000 - 100,000 Silver Lions
- Silver Lion and Research Point boosters
- Random Wagers and Orders
- Universal Backups (1 - 3)
- A random camouflage for a vehicle you own
- 1 day of Premium Account
How to get all rewards
Each stage can be achieved for 45,000 mission points, every new stage achieved will give you a new reward.
Please note: After finishing a stage, you need to collect the reward manually. To do this, click on your name in-game, go to “Space Program” and click the “Get Reward” button.
You’re able to earn mission points in Air Battles at Rank III or above in Arcade, Realistic and Simulator Battles. The number of mission points to complete a stage depends on the game mode and the maximum Rank of the vehicle that you use in battle. There’s a multiplier for earning mission points, which is shown in the task description in-game. Points are only awarded at the end of the battle.
You can also earn mission points by using event vehicles of Rank I and II. Event vehicles that can be used have the name of the event that they were obtainable in on their stat card.
Rewards are given when you complete a specific number of stages
- For 1 Stage: trophy with a random reward
- For 2 Stages: one of the decal rewards
- For 3 Stages: “Military Survival Kit” silver chest
- For 4 Stages: one of the decal rewards
- For 5 Stages: trophy with a random reward
- For 6 Stages: F-16XL loading screen
- For 7 Stages: “Military Survival Kit” silver chest
- For 8 Stages: non-tradable coupon for the F-16XL
- For 9 Stages: unique camouflage and four random modifications for the F-16XL
Discounts for purchasing stages using Golden Eagles
Unfinished stages can be purchased for Golden Eagles, but if you’re very close to completing a stage, its price will be significantly reduced.
Let’s say you have earned 85% of the required mission points to complete a stage, then the price of purchasing this stage will be halved. If you’re near the finish line for a stage and are at 95% progress, then the price will be reduced by five times. For example, if you’ve scored , then the price to unlock this stage will be . If you’ve scored , then you’ll only need . Remember to keep this in mind if you cannot complete a stage on time!
The Upgrade for a coupon
When you complete 8 stages, you’ll receive a non-tradable coupon for the F-16XL, using it will immediately activate the vehicle onto your account. If you don’t want the vehicle and would like to sell the coupon on the Market, you’ll need the “Upgrade for coupon” item.
The “Upgrade for coupon” item can be earned in parallel with the stages throughout the event for 750,000 mission points.
After receiving the “Upgrade for coupon” item, you can convert a non-tradable coupon for the vehicle into a tradable one and sell it on the Market. The tradable coupon can be sold after 6 days from the moment it’s created.
To make a tradable coupon, select the “Coupon F-16XL (USA)” in your inventory and click the “Modify” button.
The “Upgrade for coupon” item is usable . Until then, you can use it or exchange it for War Bonds. Afterwards, it’ll disappear from your inventory.
Tracking your progress
You can track the progress of completing stages and the “Upgrade for coupon” item by clicking on your Nickname > Achievements > Space Program. If you don’t manage to complete a stage on time or would like to purchase a stage, you can do so with Golden Eagles until September 25th from the Achievements window, which will give you the corresponding rewards.






Comments (65)
Comments will be premoderatedwhy do you guys keep upping the mission score used to be 32k originally was 25k now 45 wtf?
Please check this 2,5 year old article: https://warthunder.com/en/news/8704-development-introducing-war-thunders-new-event-cycle-en)
Great time to be unemployed
So I usually never post, but I do have a question with this. With this being added, is there a likelihood that we'll see vehicles of the same variety. (F16-MATV) (F-18-HARV) (F-15-STOL-MTD) Type aircraft as I would like to see test vehicles like this from America and from other nations as well to come into the game. Weather has event vehicles or dreams come true. As well, America has been lacking a true top tier for a while stuck at 14.3 can you share anything with us on this for this update?
Why does it have such a pitiful air to air armament? I'm not an F-16XL expert I'm not saying it's unrealistic, I'm just asking in general, was it really limited to only a few air to air missiles? Also does it get HMD?
Please give it IR mavericks, The AGM-65B is TV guided and a total pain to try to get the TV mavs to lock onto anything. IR is far easier to use. Surely some documentation can show that IR mavericks were being used during these years F-16XL was being tested and flown.
Wow now THAT is an event vehicle. Genuinely unique, not too unique. Really nice addition.
The F-16XL can theoretically carry six AIM-120 missiles, so why does it only have four?
Cool event almost perfect but the decals are terrible. should have given us some historical Test and Evaluation Squadron decals
Wait, why no Aim-9M?
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