Get The F-16XL In War Thunder: 🚀 Master The New Jet 🔥

Get the F-16XL in War Thunder is the goal for a large slice of the community over the coming weeks. Moreover, this is one of the most peculiar fighters ever added to the game.

The campaign starts on September 3 and ends on September 21. Therefore, anyone hoping to get the F-16XL in War Thunder needs to understand the stage system before jumping into battle without a plan.

Here is the essential summary: you accumulate 45,000 mission points per stage in Air Battles, and reaching eight stages secures the aircraft coupon. The ninth stage unlocks the “Ship No.1” camouflage plus four random modifications.

It is worth stressing that stages rotate every two days. Consequently, falling behind on one block means losing that window permanently, unless you pay with Golden Eagles afterwards.

Get The F-16XL In War Thunder: What You Actually Need To Do

The path is straightforward, yet it hides traps that catch players every single event. Therefore, start by understanding exactly where the finish line sits.

The Minimum Requirement To Claim The Jet

Here is the sequence that matters:

1. Accumulate 45,000 mission points in Air Battles to complete a stage.
2. Claim the reward manually, by clicking your name and opening the event tab.
3. Repeat through stage eight, which delivers the non-tradable coupon for the aircraft.
4. Use the coupon to activate the jet immediately on your account.

Note that the coupon only appears at stage eight. Consequently, anyone stopping at stage seven walks away with cosmetics and chests only.

What Changes Between Stage Eight And Nine

The ninth stage is optional for players who simply want to fly. Even so, it delivers two meaningful items.

You receive the exclusive “Ship No.1” camouflage, inspired by the real prototype used by NASA. Additionally, you get four random modifications already installed on the aircraft.

Those modifications save a considerable amount of research time. Therefore, if you are close to the ninth stage, the extra effort pays off.

Space Program Event: How The Campaign Works

The Space Program event follows the same format as previous vehicle campaigns. However, the scoring details shift depending on the mode and the Rank you use.

Where To Earn Mission Points

The accumulation rules are specific:

• Points come exclusively from Air Battles
• Aircraft at Rank III or above count normally
• Arcade, Realistic, and Simulator modes are all valid
• Event vehicles at Rank I and II also generate points
• The multiplier appears in the task description inside the game
• Points only register at the end of a battle

That last point deserves emphasis. Leaving before the battle concludes wipes out everything you accumulated in that match.

The Stage Calendar

In practice, you get roughly 48 hours for each block of 45,000 points. Furthermore, anyone falling behind can still buy stages at a progressive discount as they approach the target.

New Fighter In War Thunder: The F-16XL Story

This new fighter in War Thunder is not a game invention. It genuinely existed, though only as a prototype.

From A Lost Contest To NASA

The aircraft was developed to compete for a military contract against the F-15E Strike Eagle. In 1981, it lost that competition.

The two prototypes built were transferred to NASA in 1988. There, they were used for supersonic laminar flow research throughout the following decade.

That connection to the space agency is exactly what gives the event its name. Therefore, the themed decals and camouflage fit the narrative perfectly.

What Changed Structurally

The differences compared to a production F-16 are highly visible:

• A delta wing replacing the conventional design
• A lengthened fuselage compared to production models
• Higher weight than the series versions
• Expanded internal fuel capacity
• A greater number of weapon hardpoints

Notice the combination of extra weight with a larger wing. Consequently, flight behavior changes significantly.

Better Turn Performance: What That Means In Practice

Better turn performance is the main argument in this jet’s favor. However, it comes with a clear cost.

The Trade Between Acceleration And Maneuvering

According to the official description, acceleration is less dynamic than on production F-16 variants. In exchange, performance in tight turns improved.

That paints a very specific flight profile:

• Less efficient in pure high-speed pursuits
• More capable in extended turning fights
• Longer endurance, thanks to the expanded fuel tank
• More versatile in payload, because of the extra hardpoints

In practice, it is not the interceptor that climbs fast and chases everything. Instead, it works better as a fighter-bomber that holds its own once combat drops into the turning game.

How To Fly The Delta Wing Properly

Delta wings generate plenty of lift at high angles, yet they bleed energy quickly. Therefore, energy management becomes the central skill here.

A few practical guidelines:

1. Enter fights with altitude to spare, since recovering speed costs more than on a standard F-16.
2. Avoid long turns against lighter fighters, because bleeding energy without a kill is the worst outcome.
3. Use the extra fuel to your advantage, keeping margin to reposition instead of returning to base early.
4. Exploit the hardpoints, carrying mixed loadouts whenever the map offers ground targets.

Keep in mind that the official battle rating was not disclosed in the announcement. Therefore, adjust your matchmaking expectations only once the jet enters service.

AIM-9L And AIM-120 Missiles: The Full Arsenal

The weapon set is what sustains the aircraft’s versatility. The AIM-9L and AIM-120 missiles cover the air-to-air side, while Mavericks handle ground work.

Air-To-Air And Air-To-Ground Loadout

The detail that sparked the most community discussion was the AIM-120 count. Four missiles is a modest number for the top of the progression.

What To Expect From The Package

With two AIM-9L and four AIM-120, the air-to-air package is functional yet not dominant. Therefore, every shot needs more calculation than on fighters carrying larger loads.

On the other hand, the ability to carry up to six Mavericks opens a real advantage. Few jets in this bracket combine decent air-to-air capability with guided ground attack this way.

Consequently, the aircraft’s value depends heavily on how you play. In mixed battles, that flexibility pays off far more than in pure air duels.

Is The F-16XL Worth The Grind?

This is the practical question that decides whether you join the race. The answer depends on your profile.

The Time Math

Completing all nine stages requires 405,000 mission points across 18 days. That works out to roughly 22,500 points per day.

Translated into real matches:

• Consistent player: 4,000 to 5,000 points per battle clears it in five or six daily matches
• Average player: around 2,000 points per battle doubles the time needed
• Casual player: below 1,500 points per match makes full completion unrealistic

Remember that multipliers alter this calculation. Therefore, game mode and aircraft Rank weigh heavily on the outcome.

Who It Makes Sense For

The jet appeals to three profiles in particular. First, players who enjoy historically unusual aircraft and value rarity in the hangar.

Second, anyone who plays plenty of mixed battles and benefits from guided ground ordnance. Third, players who treat event vehicles as long-term Market investments.

On the other hand, if your focus is purely dominating top-tier air duels, options with larger missile loads exist. In that case, the effort may not be worth it.

How Do You Farm Points Faster?

Events reward consistency rather than heroics. Meanwhile, players who force risky plays usually finish with fewer points per hour.

Pro Tips For The Grind

• Fly the aircraft you actually master: a high multiplier does not offset bad matches, and steady performance earns more per hour.
• Consider Arcade if you die early in Realistic: with multiple respawns you keep accumulating instead of spectating.
• Mix kills with ground attack: versatile aircraft collect points from more sources than pure fighters.
• Do not research a new vehicle during the event: a stock airframe drags down your performance exactly when it matters most.
• Save stage purchases for the very end: at 95% progress, the Golden Eagle cost drops fivefold.

Common Mistakes During The Event

1. Not claiming the reward: the stage completes, yet the item requires manual collection. Fix: open the event tab after every closed stage.
2. Leaving everything to the final week: stages rotate every 48 hours and do not stack retroactively. Fix: spread the effort from day one.
3. Quitting matches early: points only register when the battle ends. Fix: finish even the bad matches.
4. Confusing the standard coupon with the tradable one: selling on the Market requires the extra 750,000-point item. Fix: decide early whether you will fly the jet or sell it.

Is Ping Costing You Matches?

Here is a factor almost nobody considers during a race against the clock. Every match lost to instability is time you cannot recover inside a 48-hour window.

High-tier air combat is even more sensitive. Radar locks, long-range missiles, and high-speed maneuvers all depend on immediate server response.

How ExitLag Helps In War Thunder

ExitLag is not a VPN. Instead, it is a game connection optimizer that tests multiple network routes in real time and sends your traffic down the fastest, most stable path available.

For competitive air battles, that shows up exactly where it matters:

• Real-time Optimization: Lower delay and reduced packet loss, so launches and maneuvers respond when you input them.
• Multipath Technology: Packets travel several routes at once, so a single failing hop does not disconnect you mid-match.
• Traffic Shaper: Game traffic takes priority over downloads and streaming competing for the same bandwidth.
• PC Boost: Frees RAM and trims background processes, which helps on large maps packed with aircraft.

The service supports over 4,000 titles across more than 1,500 servers in 190 countries. Furthermore, it handles over 18 million optimizations weekly for a base above 30 million players.

Is ExitLag Safe To Use?

Yes. ExitLag does not modify game files, does not inject code, and does not interact with anti-cheat systems in any way.

That applies to War Thunder and every other supported title. One caveat though: do not run it alongside a VPN, because the two work against each other.

If your connection wavers during long matches, grab the PC version of ExitLag here and test it during the opening stages.

Get The F-16XL In War Thunder: Your Plan Through September 21

With a short window and a fixed target, organization beats scattered playtime. Therefore, build your routine before the first stage opens.

Your Priority Checklist

1. Pick the aircraft you score best in, not the one with the biggest multiplier.
2. Set aside daily time for those 22,500 points instead of stacking everything on the weekend.
3. Claim each reward manually right after completing a stage.
4. Decide upfront whether you will simply use the coupon or chase the extra 750,000 points.

The Bottom Line

The package appeals to players who value unusual aircraft and enjoy payload flexibility. On the other hand, four AIM-120 missiles limit its potential in pure top-tier air duels.

That is exactly why planning how to get the F-16XL in War Thunder from day one makes a difference. Set your routine, secure your connection, and the jet lands in your hangar without a last-minute scramble.

All game images used in this blog post belong to Gaijin Entertainment. They are used for informational and educational purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with the rights holders.