Lockheed Martin has 131 Orders for F-16 Block 70/72 Fighter Aircraft

Lockheed Martin's F-16 project continues to advance steadily, with the aerospace company securing a total of 131 orders from Bahrain, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Taiwan, Jordan, and an undisclosed country.

At Lockheed's Greenville facility, assembly and testing operations for the  F-16 are in full swing. The facility serves as a hub where components from 470 suppliers spanning eight countries are integrated, highlighting the extensive multinational collaboration behind the F-16 program.

During a recent visit by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency team, insights into the project's progress were gleaned from discussions with sales and production managers.

Aimee P. Burnett, Vice President of Aviation Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin Integrated Combat Aircraft Group, revealed that eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft have completed testing at the Greenville facility and are now ready for operational deployment.

Burnett also disclosed that Lockheed Martin is steadily approaching its production target of four aircraft per month. However, meeting the current order backlog, which includes deliveries to nine countries, is anticipated to span approximately three years.

The latest iterations of the F-16, particularly the Block 70 and 72 series are equipped with radar technology akin to that utilized in the F-35, these aircraft offer enhanced situational awareness for pilots, bolstering mission effectiveness and survivability. The F-16’s Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS) and autonomous safety systems mitigates risks during maneuvers and emergencies, thereby enhancing pilot safety.

Mike McSpadden, Project Director and Chief Engineer with extensive experience in the F-16 program, spoke about the enhancements incorporated into the Block 70 variant. Structural improvements have increased the aircraft's service life to 12,000 flight hours, representing a 50% improvement over previous generations. McSpadden emphasized that these enhancements not only elevate the aircraft's performance but also contribute to reduced operational costs.