The US Navy will fly Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs from July, after a gap of more than 10 years, with the reactivation of 14 stored fighters once ordered by Pakistan but not delivered because of a US arms embargo.
The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis Monthan AFB has started restoring to airworthy condition 10 F-16A Block 15OCUs and four two-seat Bs under a $3 million contract. The remaining 14 fighters completed before the order was cancelled are being acquired by the US Air Force to replenish its fleet of F-16 test aircraft.
USN F-16 programme manager Capt Charles Kode says the aircraft will be delivered to NAS Fallon, Nevada, to re-equip part of the adversary fighter force. The aircraft will replace a similar number of Boeing F/A-18A Hornets, which are nearing structural life limits. Between 1987 and 1991 the USN flew F-16Ns in the adversary role, but retired the aircraft because of fatigue problems.
The stored aircraft have flown on average fewer than 10h per airframe and are a more cost-effective alternative to acquiring used USAF F-16A/Bs, says Kode.
The USN is spending $25 million to put the aircraft into service, which includes acquiring and upgrading six spare USAF Pratt & Whitney F100-220E engines. The USN hopes to operate the fighters for at least 10 years, says Kode.
Source: Flight International
