The Generl Dyanmics F-16 was the first aircraft ever to incorporate fly-by-wire technology. This means that every flight control input from the pilot is send to a computer which then sends a signal to the relevant flight control actuator. This not only reduces pilot workload but also manages to actually fly the aircraft since it is static instable, meaning that the aircraft has a natural tendency to drift of course. The flight controls are moved by deflecting a side stick which is located on the right side armrest in stead of between the pilots legs.

The F-16A/B uses a fly-by-wire flight control system with no mechanical linkages between the flight surfaces and side stick. On the A/B versions, the flight controls system incorporated an analog computer and was later on replaced by a digital computer and implemented on the C/D models. On the F-16, computer control is necessary as a result of the inherent negative stability of the aircraft. Due to the lack of mechanical linkages the side stick featured some unusual characteristics as it originally did not move. Instead, the control stick sensed applied pressure and translated this into control surface deflection. However, it proved to be difficult for pilots to adjust to such a small amount of movement was given (approximately 6mm in either direction).

The onboard flight control computer makes thousands of calculations and corrections each second in order to keep the aircraft flying safely and comfortably. This also gives pilots the ability to focus on tasks necessary to fulfill their intended role. Due to the important managing role the flight computer has in operating the F-16, a common refrain heard from pilots is:

"You don't fly an F-16; it flies you"

Intitially, the F-16A (single seat fighter) and F-16B (dual-seat fighter) were equipped with the AGP-66 Pulse-doppler rader and powered by the PW F100-PW-200 turbofan engine (14,670 lbf with afterburner capability).