Lockheed Martin to Build 128 F-16V Block 72 For Export Customers

Artist’s illustration of F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft. An expert said that Lockheed Martin is investing in F-16V Block 70/72 upgrades to prepare it for possible future acquisition by the US Air Force. (L3Harris)

To support the growing demand for new F-16 aircraft from partner nations, the U.S. Air Force has teamed with Lockheed Martin Co. to open a new production line to build the F-16 Block 70/72 fighter aircraft at the company’s facility in Greenville, S.C.

Launched on Veterans Day 2019, the line is the only production facility for F-16s in the world, opening three years after the company’s long-time F-16 line in Fort Worth, Texas, wrapped up production.

“This new production line is very significant,” said Col. Brian Pearson, Integrated Product Team lead for F-16 foreign military sales, with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s (AFLCMC) Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate, which is leading the effort to build and deliver the new F-16s. “There are 25 nations operating F-16s today, and they have a lot of expertise with the airframe. The line helps us meet the global demand that a number of nations have for [F-16] aircraft and gives us the additional capability to provide the aircraft to countries interested in purchasing it for the first time.”

The first F-16s are expected to roll off the production line in 2022, and production is expected to increase after the first year. The total case value for 128 F-16, including required infrastructure for the aircraft, training and other services will be more than $14 billion.

The aircraft will be delivered to multiple foreign military partners, including Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan, and others, many of whom have expressed interest beyond the first deliveries.

More aircraft are expected to be built in the upcoming years, and there are requests for F-16s under review from additional foreign military partners.

“Since the LM production line opened, AFSAC [AFLCMC’s Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate] has seen an uptick of our partner nations requesting detailed information and requests for U.S. Government sales,” said Col. Anthony Walker, Senior Materiel Leader, International Division. “We are excited about the new workload and increased opportunity to deliver airpower capabilities that strengthen International Partnerships and advance National Security.”

In addition to leading efforts to field new F-16s, the Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate is also modernizing 405 F-16s – operated by four partner nations – with the V-Configuration, which consists of new radar and other upgrades to make them similar to the aircraft that will come off the production line.

“F-16s are operational across the globe and are a key capability fortifying the security of our international partners,” said Brig. Gen. Dale White, the Program Executive Officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft. “Every F-16 we equip our foreign partners with improves their ability to defend their interests and support our mutual security interests. The caliber and talent of our foreign military sales program office teams is top-notch, and their impact is felt globally. The F-16 is an enduring, highly capable compact fighter that will have a large role in many partner nations’ security for years to come.”

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