12/17/2023 0 Comments F16 block 70 cockpit![]() ![]() ![]() Moreover, the Air Force is evaluating a reduction of the total order for the F-35 from the original 1,763 to “just” 1,050 aircraft. In 2019, the decision was made to allocate the funding for the first eight of at least 144 F-15EXs, as this would be a more practical solution than waiting for enough F-35s to be available to replace also the F-15C. However, while a first SLEP required only a replacement of the longerons to maintain structural integrity, the Eagles now need new wings, as they have long surpassed their expected service-life estimates. Something similar happened to the F-15C, that was scheduled to be retired in 2019. aircraft, together with other factors, forced the service to revise its plans and initiate, about ten years ago, a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) to keep the Viper in service at least until 2048. However, budget restraints and a slower than expected delivery of the new 5th gen. The reason for this new sustainment contract is that the F-16 was initially scheduled to be retired in 2025 and replaced by the F-35 Lightining II. ![]() “As you look at the new F-16 production line in South Carolina, that system has some wonderful upgraded capabilities that are worth thinking about as part of our capacity solution,” said Roper. In December 2020, the same facility was chosen for depot level maintenance and modernization support as part of a new 10-year F-16 Depot Sustainment Program awarded to Lockheed Martin. After that, the production line was moved in Greenville, South Carolina, where it was inaugurated in 2019 and started working on manufacturing of the F-16 Block 70/72. More than 1,300 jets are still in service in all the branches of the Air Force and they could continue to serve for a long time.Īfter the last USAF delivery, the production line in Fort Worth, Texas, went on assembling F-16s for international customers, until the last Iraqi F-16 delivery in 2017. Since that first delivery the aircraft evolved and, from the original lightweight, daytime interceptor design, the F-16 has become a multi-role, all weather, air-to-air and air-to-ground attack weapon system. This aircraft was the last of 2,231 F-16s produced for the Air Force and delivered from 1978. The last F-16C, the Block 50 CC-231 AF 01-7053, was delivered on March 18, 2005, and assigned to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. This news was recently reported by the Aviation Week Defense Editor Steve Trimble after an interview with Will Roper, former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Air Force is now considering an order for new F-16 Fighting Falcon (or Viper, as the type is dubbed in the fighter pilot community) jets. Taylor Harrison) More F-16 Vipers could be ordered together with F-15EXs, attritable aircraft and NGAD to replace older aircraft until enough F-35s are available.Īlmost 16 years after the last delivery, the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons based in the Central Command area of operations conduct armed aerial patrols in Somalia in support of Operation Octave Quartz, Jan. ![]()
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