What You Need to Know: The U.S. Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcon, a global mainstay in air superiority for over 50 years, has always lacked a built-in boarding ladder, limiting operations in austere settings. This design choice, driven by the famed "Fighter Mafia" to reduce weight, left pilots reliant on pre-positioned ladders.

Recently, Major Nicholas "Trapper" Atkins devised the Agile Combat Employment Ladder, a six-pound, foldable ladder that fits in the cockpit's map case, winning the 2024 Spark Tank competition.

This innovation could soon allow F-16 pilots easier access to their aircraft without compromising the fighter’s design priorities.

The United States Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcon first took flight more than 50 years ago, and it has been employed in operations around the globe. It has proven to be nearly unstoppable in the air, seeing service with dozens of allied and partner nations.

Yet, operators may be quick to point out it has one notable flaw – one that is part of its original design. Climbing into the Fighting Falcon isn't all that easy, as it lacks a built-in boarding ladder. That has limited where it can operate and how pilots are able to get into the cockpit. While other fighters were designed to land and be serviced from austere locations with limited support, this hasn't been the case for the F-16.

However, one innovative pilot has worked on a solution – and soon the Air Force........

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