A U.S. Air Force contract with BAE will see the firm support equipment for the fleet of F-16 aircraft in “more than 25 countries” through 2031.
A news release from the company, inexplicably, doesn’t specify how many countries. Just that it’s more than 25. Could it be 26? 27? We’ll never know.
According to the news release from the company:
“BAE Systems has received an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract from the U.S. Air Force with a value of up to $600 million to supply the international fleet of F-16 aircraft with support equipment. The 10-year contract includes training, engineering support, specialized test equipment, and more than 1,200 support equipment items to ensure the availability of the F-16 fleet, one of the most versatile multi-role fighter jets.
BAE Systems also provides the I-level avionics test systems and supports the USM-464/638 for the U.S. Air Force and F-16 international users. The support equipment development and management will be operated out of the company’s Fort Worth, Texas location. In all, the company has delivered more than 100,000 support equipment and test systems.”
Meg Redlin, director of Mission Systems at BAE Systems, was quoted as saying:
“BAE Systems is a world leader in developing specialized test system products for the F-16. We also manage the full complement of support equipment required to ensure availability of the aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and allied forces. Our test product and support team ensures that all variants of this critical fighter are maintained through its lifecycle, optimizing operations.”
The contract will ensure support equipment for the fleet of F-16 aircraft in “more than 25 countries” through 2031.
“From Boresighting avionics testing and vehicle management system tests to aircraft power, hydraulics, and electrical systems support, BAE Systems’ comprehensive approach is a key enabler for F-16 sustainment worldwide. The company will enhance aircraft supportability, reduce the logistics footprint, and minimize life cycle cost through the contract, which includes obsolescence management, logistics and sustainment, and on-base support and depot development.”
Brilliant. Well done again Bae. Not only a lucrative support contract but potential access to new markets, assuming the company is not there already.
The F16 has had some lifespan, at least another 10 years too.
47 years since first flown, probably another 20 odd years as a type. It’s certainly seen many other types come and go.
The new version looks interesting if it goes ahead and the timeframe seems to fit?
“Last month, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown caused a stir when he announced the service was looking into buying a brand-new fighter jet to help replace the F-16 Viper. Such a jet doesn’t exist—yet—but thanks to new digital engineering techniques, it could actually enter service before 2030.”
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a35865601/f-36-kingsnake-air-force-next-fighter-jet-concept/
The Viper lives on!
I still think the F-16 is a great jet and a viable cheap fighter.
It doesn’t hurt that is just looks fantastic.
Digital Stealth, the way forward!
“Lockheed Martin contracts L3Harris for Viper Shield F-16V Block 70/72 electronic warfare system
The Viper Shield will have software-defined technology components that reveal digital radar threats and provide robust countermeasure capabilities in a fully-integrated, internally-mounted system, according to a company statement.”
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/lockheed-martin-contracts-l3harris-for-viper-shield-f-16v-block-7072-electronic-warfare-system