Lockheed Martin, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems have signed a memorandum of understanding on future F-16 upgrade programmes.
The IAI/Lockheed Martin package is primarily intended for the Israeli air force's fleet of F-16A/Bs, but one of Lockheed Martin's roles will be to promote the upgrade to the large number of potential foreign customers. Several hundred F-16A/Bs are in service in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as the USA.
The proposed upgrade package includes cockpit systems and structural modifications which are based on enhancements that have previously been installed on Israeli air force F-16s.
Lockheed Martin is now competing for the next fighter procurement purchase of the Israeli air force, offering its F-16I against the Boeing F-15I.
Source: Flight International
