Lockheed Martin is offering "generic" export versions of the F-16 in a bid to reduce costs. Packaging popular features into a common core configuration will reduce engineering costs, says LM Tactical Aircraft Systems president Dain Hancock.
The Viper 2000 configuration is based on the improved Block 50+ F-16 and incorporates such features as modular mission computer, colour displays, conformal fuel tanks and Northrop Grumman APG-68(V)X radar.
The Viper 2100 is based on the advanced "Block 60" F-16 selected by the United Arab Emirates. It includes Northrop Grumman's active-array Agile Beam Radar and forward-looking infrared Internal Targeting System.
Greece is the first customer for the Viper 2000, announcing an order for 58. The configuration is being offered to Israel, says Hancock, while Norway is being offered the 2000 and 2100.
Until now, engineering release for a new F-16 variant was based on the previous configuration most closely matching the customer's requirements. Now variants will be based on a common core configuration "for which the engineering release task has already been done", Hancock says.
The move will save money, he says, and is part of efforts to drive down the price of the F-16, around $24 million for a baseline aircraft.
The Greek contract and a follow-on order from Egypt for 24 aircraft have closed the gap in F-16 production, Hancock says, and the company expects to build around 50 annually for the next five to seven years "at least".
Source: Flight International