Brazil is considering a phased approach to modernising its ageing fighter fleet with the proposed purchase of used Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs or additional Northrop Grumman F-5E/Fs as an interim ahead of the selection of a new F-X fighter. Chile in the meantime has chosen the General Electric F110-129 engine to power 10 F-16C/D Block 50 Plus fighters it has selected.
The Brazilian air force may have to retire its 18 elderly Dassault Mirage IIIDBR/EBRs before the F-X enters service. The F-X has been progressively delayed and even if a request for proposals is issued by the end of this year, as some expect, the aircraft would not enter service before 2005.
As a temporary measure the air force is evaluating a purchase of 20-24 secondhand fighters to replace the Mirages. The US Government is understood to have offered Brazil surplus F-16A/Bs. This is viewed with concern by competing manufacturers as it could give Lockheed Martin an edge when competing for the F-X with the F-16C/D Block 50Plus.
Boeing plans to offer the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and is seeking to block the F-16A/B with an offer of more F-5E/Fs – the company is assisting Saudi Arabia to dispose of its fleet.
The Brazilian air force recently concluded a contract with Embraer to upgrade 48 of its F-5E/Fs and it has long planned to acquire a small number of additional fighters to upgrade to the same F-5BR configuration.
Chile has selected the F110-129 engine over the competing Pratt & Whitney F110-229 to power its planned buy of an initial 10F-16C/Ds. The proposed GE deal covers 12 engines.
Chile is interested in a derated version of the 32,000lb-thrust (142kN) F110-132 engine ordered by the United Arab Emirates for its F-16 Block 60, but Washington has so far not released this engine for export. The proposed F110-129Plus would be rated at the same 29,000lb-thrust level as the -129, but offering twice the durability with an 8,000 cycle life.
Source: Flight International
