DTN News: AIRSHOW ~ U.S. Chasing Up To 200 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighter Jets Sales
*Sources: Int'l Media / Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 16, 2009: The United States is chasing opportunities to sell up to 200 F-16 fighter jets on top of an Indian tender for 126 aircraft for which the plane is among the contenders, a Lockheed Martin executive said. 
F-16 models are denoted by sequential block numbers to denote significant upgrades. The blocks cover both single- and two-seat versions. A variety of software, hardware, systems, weapons carriage, and structural enhancements have been instituted over the years to gradually upgrade the F-16 and retroactively implement the upgrades in previously delivered aircraft.
While many F-16s were produced according to these block designs, there have been many other variants with significant changes, usually due to modification programs. Other changes have resulted in role-specialization, such as the close air support and reconnaissance variants. Several models were also developed to test new technology. The F-16 design also inspired the design of other aircraft, which are considered derivatives.*
"There are something between 100 and 200 aircraft that are very near-term opportunities that we are chasing, mainly in the Middle East and Far East, excluding India," F-16 programme manager Bill McHenry said at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday.
Lockheed Martin has a backlog of 95 F-16 orders, with production assured through 2012, executives told a news briefing. The F-16 has a unit price of around $40-50 million.
F-16 models are denoted by sequential block numbers to denote significant upgrades. The blocks cover both single- and two-seat versions. A variety of software, hardware, systems, weapons carriage, and structural enhancements have been instituted over the years to gradually upgrade the F-16 and retroactively implement the upgrades in previously delivered aircraft.
While many F-16s were produced according to these block designs, there have been many other variants with significant changes, usually due to modification programs. Other changes have resulted in role-specialization, such as the close air support and reconnaissance variants. Several models were also developed to test new technology. The F-16 design also inspired the design of other aircraft, which are considered derivatives.*
"There are something between 100 and 200 aircraft that are very near-term opportunities that we are chasing, mainly in the Middle East and Far East, excluding India," F-16 programme manager Bill McHenry said at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday.
Lockheed Martin has a backlog of 95 F-16 orders, with production assured through 2012, executives told a news briefing. The F-16 has a unit price of around $40-50 million.
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