Lockheed Martin’s
Evolving F-16 Maintains Warfighter’s Edge in Modern Combat
19 June 2003
PARIS, June 19, 2003 – Lockheed
Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] F-16 Fighting Falcon
continues its historic evolution, honing its
edge in meeting new operational requirements
both in the defense marketplace and in combat,
according to John Bean, Vice President for
Lockheed Martin F-16 programs.
Bean said at the Paris Air Show today the
F-16 is still the most modern, capable and
sought-after international production fighter
today. It has been proven in combat time after
time, including recent operations in Bosnia,
Kosovo, Afghanistan and both wars in Iraq.
“Our F-16s respond to modern conflict by
employing the latest precision munitions and
providing effective air defense suppression,”
Bean said. “As a multi-role fighter, the F-16
provides battle commanders with dependability
and excellent mission flexibility.”
In Operation Desert Storm, the F-16 was known
as “the workhorse of the war,” and its
combat-proven tradition continued in Operation
Iraqi Freedom, as F-16s flew some 4,000 sorties
in continuous, all-weather operations that
accomplished precision-strike, time-critical
mission objectives.
In addition to its unmatched battlefield
capabilities, the F-16 stays on the cutting edge
of ever-changing operational requirements. The
Advanced Block 50/52 and Block 60 F-16 fighters
incorporate the latest technologies and
capabilities, most notably advanced radars and
additional precision weapons, which, in
combination, provide true, autonomous,
adverse-weather strike capability. Other
features include higher thrust engines, upgraded
avionics, advanced internal Electronic Warfare
suites and conformal fuel tanks, which provide
the F-16 with a mission radius and loiter time
equivalent to or better than any other fighter
available.
In addition to the F-16 production programs,
Lockheed Martin continues to develop and
integrate upgrade programs for existing F-16
aircraft. Upgrades such as the Mid-Life Update
(MLU) and the Common Configuration
Implementation Program (CCIP) join older models
with new production aircraft, forming Lockheed
Martin’s Roadmap of Convergence, merging into a
common path and plan that result in maximum
commonality throughout the fleet.
“This convergence in roadmaps for fielded
aircraft and new aircraft provides an
opportunity for F-16 operators to benefit from
the latest developments in technology and
capabilities for fighter aircraft,” Bean said.
“This synergy will parallel technology and
provide a transition into the F/A-22 and F-35
programs.”
In the immediate future, the F-16 will still
be in demand as the world’s most advanced and
dependable multi-mission fighter today. Firm
orders will provide production line work until
at least 2008, with anticipated new orders and
deliveries lasting through 2011. Since 1999,
nine new countries have joined the F-16 family,
giving Lockheed Martin the largest firm backlog
of fighter aircraft in the world, with the
potential for 200-400 new or follow-on aircraft.
“The F-16 international family marks its 25th
anniversary this year,” Bean said. “Since 1979,
partnerships with our allies and coalition
countries have grown to 24, including the United
States. And we have every reason to believe that
our international family will continue to grow.
With a win rate of 100 percent in competitions
for authorized programs, the F-16 proves time
and again it is the world’s most sought-after
fighter jet.”
The F-16 is the choice of 24 countries. More
than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered,
hundreds more are on order, and production is
expected to continue beyond 2010. Major upgrades
for all F-16 versions are being incorporated to
keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over
the aircraft’s long service life.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business
area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the
design, development, systems integration,
production and support of advanced military
aircraft and related technologies. Its customers
include the military services of the United
States and allied countries throughout the
world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35
JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3
and U-2.
# # #
Media Contacts: Liz
Brannan, 817-935-4833 or 817-762-1441; e-mail,
liz.brannan@lmco.com
Sam Grizzle, 770-494-3211;
e-mail,
sam.c.grizzle@lmco.com
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