Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin Corp. , recently delivered the first in a new lot of modernized F-16s for the U.S. Air Force.

The new aircraft will be used in the suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) mission area and to sustain the Air Force's overall multirole fighter force structure. The 14 F-16s, procured in Fiscal Year 2000 (10 aircraft) and FY 2001 (four aircraft), will be delivered at a rate of one or two per month through December 2002. The last previous F-16 delivery to the Air Force was in April 2001, under an FY 1999 order.

The aircraft are the latest Block 50 single-seat versions with General Electric F110-GE-129 engines. Features include the modular mission computer, color cockpit displays and recording equipment, on-board oxygen generating system, and the APX-113 advanced electronic interrogator/transponder. These production aircraft have common configurations with the Block 50 F-16s being modified in the first phase of the USAF F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP). The first of the CCIP-modified aircraft was delivered last January.

"The U.S. Air Force has been our main customer for the F-16, with 55 percent of all deliveries to date. F-16s will continue to be a large portion of the USAF fighter force for many years. Lockheed Martin is pleased to continue to support the Air Force mission with new F-16s," said John L. Bean, vice president of F-16 programs at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "Incorporating many of the CCIP upgrades in production reduces the retrofit effort and speeds up introduction of new capabilities to the operating squadrons."

The F-16, the world's most sought-after fighter, is the choice of 22 countries. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered, hundreds more are on order for the United States and six other countries, 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., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, 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-22, JSF, F-117, C-5, C-27J, C-130, P-3 and U-2.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corp., headquartered in Bethesda, Md. Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. Employing about 125,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales of $24 billion.

The press release and photo have been uploaded to the external site at the following URL: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/news/programnews/combat_air/f16/f16_02/f16pr020508.html

F-16 is a registered trademark of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

For information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

For information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company