Lockheed Martin stands by F-16

...terms it the multi-role fighter of choice

BY A CORRESPONDENT
February 22, 2006

ASIAN AEROSPACE SHOW 206, SINGAPORE Go Air orders 20 Airbus 320 planes for $1.2 billion Dubai Aerospace to tap Indian aviation market Air India signs $2 billion deal for GE Aviation engines Airbus plans Indian JV Dassault Rafale to compete for IAF plane order Boeing hopes to sell Super Hornets to India Apache helicopters at Aerospace Show India has greatest potential: IATA Honeywell power systems for Airbus 350 SpiceJet to buy 10 Boeings Lockheed Martin stands by F-16 Lockheed Martin F-22 and F-35 Air-India, Indian Airlines may be merged Eurofighters to enter race for IAF plane buy Embraer to present Super Tucano trainer Boeing readies for Asian Aerospace 2006 Bombardier brings business, regional jets Airbus A380 display flights Go Air plane order likely Alabama delegation looks for talent Lockheed Martin at Singapore Air show 2006 Embraer Legacy 600 at Asian Aerospace Show in Singapore Asian Aerospace show moves to Hong Kong next year McGraw Hill Aerospace to be media partner for Changi Airshow from 2008 Asian Aerospace show countdown: Organisers expect a record show Paramount Air to buy 15 jets from Embraer Singapore Airlines A380 to be on display at Asian Aerospace 2006 <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Continued orders and the infusion of advanced technologies in the Lockheed Martin F-16, particularly in the Block 52 and Block 60 variants, keep the F-16 Fighting Falcon the multirole tactical fighter of choice for nations around the world. Lockheed Martin is highlighting the F-16 this week at the Asian Aerospace air show, the region's foremost aerospace and defense technology exhibition.

"The F-16 is known as the world's most capable, supportable, affordable, interoperable and proven multirole fighter available today," said June Shrewsbury, Lockheed Martin vice president for F-16 programs. "The program has evolved to meet the growing demands of our customers and continues to employ the latest technologies making it viable for many years to come."

Currently, the company is delivering two advanced versions of the F-16 and has firm deliveries scheduled through 2009. "We also see the potential for 100-200 additional F 16 sales over the next few years," said Shrewsbury. "The F-16 has a bright future and continues to provide great value and capability to our customers."

Most recently - in December - Greece announced its decision to purchase 30 new
F-16C/D aircraft with an option for 10 more. This purchase represents the 50th repeat order from an existing F-16 customer. "Repeat orders are a clear indicator of customer satisfaction," said Shrewsbury.

Aircraft now being produced for Chile, Oman, Poland, Israel and Greece are the Advanced Block 50/52 F-16C single-seat configuration and the F-16D two-seat configuration. The United Arab Emirates was the launch customer for the Block 60 F 16 version, which is also produced in single-seat (F-16E) and two-seat (F-16F) configurations. Known as Desert Falcon, the Block 60 aircraft is the latest and most advanced version of the F-16.

Shrewsbury said Lockheed Martin is also committed to the modification and sustainment of the worldwide F-16 fleet over its service life. "The F-16 has a proven worldwide support infrastructure that includes a logistics network operating from air bases around the world. With its robust sustainment and upgrade options, the F-16 will be in service for at least 40 more years, making its supportability very reliable and cost effective."

In addition to sharing technologies with the F-22 and F-35, the world's only 5TH Generation fighters, the F-16 offers a variety of solutions to meet customers' economic, technical and industrial needs with an unrivaled record in meeting and exceeding industrial participation commitments, said Shrewsbury.

"For over 25 years, the F-16 has represented the largest and most successful industrial cooperation production programs in the world with the development and implementation of industrial cooperation programs tailored to meet customers' needs. Production lines have been operated successfully in five countries, including Korea," said Shrewsbury. "We understand that the F-16 is about more than the airplane, it's about meeting the needs and requirements of our customers at all levels."