The latest version of Lockheed Martin F-16s to have Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) modifications have begun delivery on schedule.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin Corp. , provides the modification kits and field support for the F-16 CCIP modification effort. The aircraft are being modified at USAF's Ogden Air Logistics Center, Utah, the prime depot for the F-16.

The first Phase IA aircraft was completed during October and was assigned to the 57th Fighter Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for follow-on operational test and evaluation.

Most of the next aircraft to complete the modification program belong to the 389th Fighter Squadron, 366th Air Expeditionary Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, which will be the first operational squadron to convert to this latest upgrade version.

"We are pleased the F-16 CCIP continues to perform smoothly and support the war fighters," said Bill Lake, director of the USAF/EPAF F-16 program at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "I know the USAF F-16 pilots are eager to get the new capabilities on their Block 50/52 jets."

The Phase IA configuration incorporates the APX-113 air-to-air interrogator, which provides the F-16 pilot increased situation awareness and the ability to autonomously identify targets, and thus, a robust beyond- visual-range intercept capability using the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air- to-Air Missile.

The Phase IA configuration also includes two new electronics units for displays and data entry, which use commercial components that provide increased throughput, reliability and supportability.

A corresponding software change allows the aircraft to operate either the High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile Targeting System pod or a FLIR targeting pod (including the new Sniper XR Advanced Targeting Pod) from the right inlet chin station. The latter is new to USAF Block 50/52 aircraft and provides a capability to destroy ground targets using laser-guided bombs. These aircraft already were capable of employing global positioning system-guided weapons through a software upgrade made two years ago.

The F-16 CCIP provides a common, robust upgrade to the USAF fleet of approximately 650 Block 40/42/50/52 F-16s. Development efforts began in 1998, and the systems have been extensively tested on the ground and in the air.

The program is being completed in phases. Phase I deliveries began in January 2002 and included a color multifunction display set and the modular mission computer. Phase II will be fielded in July 2003 and will also incorporate the NATO-standard Link 16 data link, the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System and an electronic horizontal situation indicator.

The Phase I/IA Block 50/52 aircraft will go back through the depot mod line at Ogden to receive the additional changes. Phase III of the program involves the Block 40/42 aircraft, which will receive the entire modification all at one time, beginning in 2005.

The F-16, the choice of 23 countries, is the world's most sought-after fighter. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered, hundreds more are on order for the United States and seven 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/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. 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.

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

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company