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Lockheed Martin presents F-16 simulator in Bulgaria

September 1, 2005 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Lockheed Martin will present an F-16 cockpit demonstrator during the Fifth International Aviation Festival in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The show will be officially opened on September 6, 2005.
Two F-16s, which have seen actual combat, will be shown for the first time in Bulgaria.

Lockheed would like to offer the F-16C/D Block 50/52 configuration to Bulgaria, the same version that is now being produced for Chile, Oman, Poland and Israel.

Lockheed Martin stresses that Bulgaria's neighbors, Greece, Turkey, and Poland have already chosen the F-16 which comes with the full support of the United States Air Force.

Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Sweden's Gripen are expected to bid in a tender to replace Bulgaria's MiG-29s following the failure of the fleet upgrade a year ago.

In 2001 Bulgaria scrapped plans to replace some of its Russian-made military aircraft with U.S. F-16 jet fighters. They could only afford used planes which could require extensive and costly repairs. On top of that, they require different navigation and auxiliary equipment.