Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
The US Air Force has asked Lockheed Martin for pricing on 30 additional Block 50/52 F-16C/Ds to extend domestic production of the fighter to late 2003, while finalising the sale of 25 surplus F-16A/Bs and 20 accompanying upgrade packages to Portugal.
According to the manufacturer, the USAF is seeking pricing estimates for 15 F-16s in fiscal year 2000 and a second batch of 15 the following year. The air force has a requirement for more fighters for the suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) role to equip its 10 planned Air Expeditionary Forces scheduled to become operational in 2000.
While it is unclear where the USAF intends to allocate the 30 new F-16s, it needs attrition replacements and aircraft to supplant up to 75 Block 10/15 F-16s with the Air National Guard. Deliveries of new F-16s to the USAF will resume this month after an 18-month interval which resulted from funding shortages in FY1995. It has 31 Block 50 F-16s left on order for delivery by early 2001. One additional F-16 is approved for FY1999, but not yet on contract.
"It's very important for us to get continued USAF procurement to support the international market," says Lockheed Martin. The company's backlog extends to 2001, with 3,800 aircraft delivered out of the 4,000 ordered. Finalisation of an order for 80 Block 60 F-16C/Ds from the United Arab Emirates is being delayed by wrangling over access to electronic warfare (EW) system software source code.
Portugal, in the meantime, has signed a letter of offer and acceptance to buy 25 USAF Block 15 F-16s stored at Davis Monthan AFB. The aircraft will replace its remaining Vought A-7P/TA-7Ps and are in addition to 20 new F-16A/Bs delivered in 1994-6. The $268 million deal includes kits to upgrade 16 F-16As and all four tandem-seat Bs, with the remaining aircraft to be used for spares.
Enhancements will include the Falcon-Up structural upgrade, uprated Pratt & Whitney F100-220 turbofan and the mid-life update of avionics and cockpit improvements ordered by Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. The Portuguese aircraft will also feature a dedicated EW databus, more chaff/flare expendables and provision for a missile warning system.
Elements of the mid-life update will be incorporated into USAFF-16s starting with the six due for delivery in 2000, including new colour cockpit displays and a modular mission computer.
Under its Common Configuration Implementation Programme these and other changes, including a helmet-mounted cueing system and Link 16 information distribution system, will be retrofited to 700 existing USAF Block 40/50 by 2004.
A consortium of Israeli defence companies headed by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) has officially launched an upgrade programme for the Lockheed Martin F-16A/B. The Israeli air force will be the first customer. A prototype will fly in 2000.
IAI has teamed with Elbit Systems, Elop, Rafael and Elta to build the prototype, with the intention of offering the upgrade. The Israeli air force will co-operate with the upgrade design team .
A memorandum of understanding signed between the consortium and Lockheed Martin may also lead to co-operation on upgrading F-16s of foreign air forces.
The upgrade package will include a new Elta radar, cockpit displays, a mission computer and a weapon delivery system.
Source: Flight International
