U.s. Plans $2.8 billion upgrade of f-16 fighter

[Blacksea]

The U.S. Air Force said Thursday it plans a $2.8 billion upgrade of about 350 of its aging F-16 multi-role fighter planes to help offset slower purchases of the next-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.


The work, running into the 2020s, will extend the service life of select F-16 airframes. Other upgrades include advanced radar, sensors, cockpit display, electronic warfare and communications capabilities, the service said.


http://dailyairforce.com/925/us-plan...6-fighter.html

[Ambassador]

A question I wanted to ask... a few years ago one of our aerospace companies was contracted to perform the refurbishment and modernization programs of USAF F-16s that were deployed in the Pacific. On the other hand, the US did not permit the same aerospace companies to perform similar upgrades on our own KF-16, allowing only LM and BAE systems to compete for the tender. Does anyone know the probable cause for this ironic situation? We modernize USAF's own F-16s but not our own?

http://www.f-16.net/news_article2475.html

This comes as Lockheed Martin is locked in competition with BAE Systems over a program for avionics upgrades and weapons systems integration for 135 KF-16C/Ds for the South Korean air force (ROKAF) worth about US$1 billion.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiw.../14/2003520711

[dbamil]

A question I wanted to ask... a few years ago one of our aerospace companies was contracted to perform the refurbishment and modernization programs of USAF F-16s that were deployed in the Pacific. On the other hand, the US did not permit the same aerospace companies to perform similar upgrades on our own KF-16, allowing only LM and BAE systems to compete for the tender. Does anyone know the probable cause for this ironic situation? We modernize USAF's own F-16s but not our own?

http://www.f-16.net/news_article2475.html

I think we all know the answer as LM/BAE deploying their lobbyists judiciously. And that's why S Korea will try to produce weapons systems domestically as much as possible. S Korea needs advanced weapons probably more than any other nation and increasingly able to pay for it too. These defense contractors overcharge their own govt like there's no tomorrow so just imagine what the S Korean govt has to go through when paying them.

[xav]

F16 Blk 100 ?

[jwest21]

I wonder if they will plumb them for the saddle fuel tanks like the Sufa and F-16C Block 52+?