War Thunder

War Thunder has launched a new aircraft event for September 2026, and its headline reward is one of the most unusual members of the Fighting Falcon family. The Space Program event gives players the opportunity to unlock the experimental American F-16XL, a Rank VIII event jet distinguished by its enlarged delta wing, lengthened fuselage, extensive weapon options, and historical connection with NASA.

The event officially runs from September 3 at 11:00 GMT until September 21 at 11:00 GMT. During that period, players can earn mission points in Air Battles, complete event stages, collect cosmetic rewards, and ultimately obtain the F-16XL.

For players interested in the aircraft, the most important thing to understand is that this is a mission-point event rather than a traditional research grind. Each stage requires a considerable amount of progress within a limited two-day window, so players who have less time to complete the event may also consider Cheap War Thunder Boosting Service as an alternative way to reduce the pressure of progression. Here is what you need to know about the Space Program, its progression system, and the F-16XL itself.

War Thunder Space Program Event Schedule

The Space Program is built around a series of stages. Each stage requires players to earn 45,000 mission points, and stages change every two days.

Players can earn the required mission points in Air Arcade, Air Realistic and Air Simulator Battles, generally using aircraft of Rank III or higher. Eligible Rank I and Rank II event vehicles can also contribute. The exact mission-point multiplier depends on the game mode and the highest vehicle Rank used in battle, and points are credited when the battle ends.

The stages change at 11:00 GMT on September 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19, meaning players effectively receive a two-day window for each 45,000-point stage.

One important detail is easy to overlook: stage rewards must be collected manually. After completing a stage, players need to open the Space Program menu and select "Get Reward."

What Can You Earn From the Space Program?

The F-16XL is naturally the biggest attraction, but the event also includes decals, chests, a loading screen, a special camouflage and aircraft modifications.

The progression works as follows:

• 1 Stage: Trophy containing a random reward

• 2 Stages: One event decal

• 3 Stages: Military Survival Kit silver chest

• 4 Stages: Another event decal

• 5 Stages: Trophy containing a random reward

• 6 Stages: F-16XL loading screen

• 7 Stages: Military Survival Kit silver chest

• 8 Stages: Non-tradable F-16XL coupon

• 9 Stages: Unique F-16XL camouflage and four random F-16XL modifications

The themed cosmetic rewards include an "F-16XL" decal, a "Space" decal, the F-16XL loading screen and the "Ship No.1" camouflage.

The Military Survival Kit chests can also provide useful account rewards. Possible contents include 50,000 to 100,000 Silver Lions, Silver Lion and Research Point boosters, wagers, orders, one to three Universal Backups, a random camouflage for an owned vehicle, or one day of Premium Account.

Most importantly, players do not need all nine stages to obtain the aircraft. Completing eight stages is enough to receive the F-16XL coupon.

Meet the F-16XL

The F-16XL is much more than a visually modified F-16. Gaijin describes it as an American Rank VIII event jet fighter, and its unconventional aerodynamic configuration gives it noticeably different characteristics from other Fighting Falcons.

The aircraft uses a large delta wing and an elongated fuselage. Compared with conventional F-16 variants, the F-16XL is heavier and has reduced acceleration, while retaining an engine derived from the earlier members of the family.

The trade-off comes in its unusual maneuvering characteristics.

According to the developer, the delta wing provides strong performance during sharp extreme turns, good banking capability and improved stall stability. However, maneuvering can cause the aircraft to lose speed rapidly, and its sustained turning performance differs significantly from conventional Fighting Falcons.

Gaijin summarizes its main characteristics as:

• Excellent maneuverability in extreme turns

• High maximum speed

• Large fuel capacity

• Versatile weapon configurations

• Active radar homing missiles

• Strong air-to-ground potential

• Slightly reduced acceleration compared with more conventional F-16 configurations

That combination should make energy management particularly important. The F-16XL can perform aggressive defensive maneuvers, but repeatedly throwing the aircraft into demanding turns comes at the cost of speed.

F-16XL Weapons: AMRAAMs, Mavericks and Bombs

One of the strongest reasons to obtain the F-16XL is its versatility.

The aircraft has 13 hardpoints, giving players considerable freedom when building a loadout. Gaijin specifically describes the aircraft as versatile but with an emphasis on ground attack.

For air-to-air combat, confirmed options include:

• 2 AIM-9L Sidewinders

• Up to 4 AIM-120A AMRAAMs

The AIM-120A gives the F-16XL active radar homing missile capability and makes it suitable for beyond-visual-range engagements. Gaijin has even highlighted the aircraft as an opportunity for players who have not yet researched another AMRAAM-equipped aircraft to gain experience with BVR combat.

Its air-to-ground arsenal is equally important.

The F-16XL can carry up to six AGM-65B Maverick air-to-surface missiles, while its numerous hardpoints allow it to carry a substantial selection of ground-attack weapons. Gaijin says the aircraft can carry up to four tons of free-fall bombs.

This means the Space Program reward is not simply another F-16 optimized exclusively for air combat. Its combination of AMRAAMs, Sidewinders, Mavericks and bombs gives it a genuine multi-role identity.

Why Is the F-16XL an Event Vehicle?

Gaijin has also explained why the F-16XL is being introduced through an event rather than simply being added to the regular American aviation research tree.

Its flight characteristics are sufficiently different from conventional F-16s that the developers did not want to place it in the normal research line. Instead, the Space Program provides a way to introduce the unusual aircraft as a collectible Rank VIII event vehicle.

Its visual options reinforce that collectible appeal. Gaijin says the F-16XL will appear with its recognizable testing scheme, a gray military scheme and a NASA livery.

That NASA connection is also central to the "Space Program" name.

The Real History Behind the F-16XL

The real F-16XL began as General Dynamics' Supersonic Cruise and Maneuvering Prototype, or SCAMP.

The redesigned aircraft featured a wing with roughly twice the area of a standard F-16 wing. One of the project's goals was to enable supersonic cruise without relying on afterburners. The first prototype made its maiden flight on July 3, 1982.

The F-16XL subsequently competed against McDonnell Douglas' F-15E as part of the U.S. Air Force effort to select a replacement for the F-111. The F-15E ultimately won.

The two F-16XL prototypes nevertheless accumulated substantial testing experience, completing 437 and 361 test flights respectively, although the intended supersonic cruise capability was never achieved.

Their story did not end there.

During the late 1980s, the aircraft were transferred to NASA, where they were used for research into laminar flow at supersonic speeds. The F-16XL made its final flight in 1999, and both aircraft were eventually decommissioned in 2009.

That unusual transition from fighter development program to NASA research aircraft helps explain why War Thunder's event uses the Space Program theme and NASA-inspired cosmetics.

Can You Sell the F-16XL Coupon?

Completing eight stages gives players a non-tradable F-16XL coupon. Using it immediately activates the aircraft on the player's account.

Players who instead want a tradable coupon face a much larger mission-point target.

During the September 3 to September 21 event period, players can simultaneously work toward an "Upgrade for coupon" by accumulating:

750,000 mission points.

Once obtained, the upgrade can convert the non-tradable F-16XL coupon into a tradable version. The resulting coupon can be sold on the Market after a six-day waiting period from the time it is created.

The coupon upgrade remains usable until September 25 at 11:00 GMT. Until that deadline, players can use it for the F-16XL coupon or exchange it for War Bonds. Afterward, it disappears from the inventory.

What If You Miss a Stage?

Missing part of a stage does not necessarily end your chances of obtaining the F-16XL.

Incomplete stages can be purchased with Golden Eagles, and the price falls substantially when a player has already completed most of the required mission points.

Gaijin provides two examples:

39,000 mission points → 499 Golden Eagles

43,000 mission points → 199 Golden Eagles

According to the official event rules, reaching approximately 85% completion cuts the purchase price roughly in half, while reaching 95% can reduce it by about five times. Stages remain available for purchase through the Achievements window until September 25.

Is the Space Program Worth Following?

For players interested in high-tier American aviation, the Space Program stands out because its main reward is not simply a familiar production fighter with a new camouflage. The F-16XL brings an unusual aerodynamic configuration, AMRAAM capability, extensive ground-attack options and a real-world history stretching from an American fighter competition to NASA research.

The most important target is eight completed stages, while players seeking the special camouflage and additional modifications can continue through the ninth. Those interested in a tradable coupon face the significantly larger 750,000-point requirement.

With the Space Program running only until September 21 at 11:00 GMT, players who want the F-16XL will need to keep an eye on the two-day stage schedule and the 45,000 mission points required for each stage. For War Thunder collectors and pilots looking for something genuinely different from the standard Fighting Falcon experience, the F-16XL gives this September event a particularly distinctive reward. If limited playtime makes progression difficult, players can also Buy War Thunder Boosting Service on Z2U to save time and work toward their in-game goals more efficiently.