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Lockheed Martin awarded upgrade contract for 145 RoCAF F-16s

October 1, 2012 (by Laura Siebert) - Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract valued up to $1.85 billion by the U.S. Government to initiate the upgrade of 145 block 20 F-16A/B aircraft for the Republic of China (RoC).

RoCAF vipers are flying by the camera at Sungshan AFB on September 2nd, 2007. [Photo by Martin Fenner]

This retrofit program will include the addition of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, embedded global positioning, as well as upgrades to the electronic warfare and other avionics systems of Taiwan's F-16s.

Lockheed Martin has a proven track record of upgrading more than 1,000 existing F-16s for a combination of the U.S. Air Force and international customers. Most recently, Lockheed Martin was named the prime integrator to upgrade the USAF F-16 fleet. Both new upgrade programs will be based on the F-16V configuration announced by Lockheed Martin earlier this year.

"Lockheed Martin looks forward to a continued partnership with the Republic of China in upgrading their F-16s," said Jeff Babione, vice president and general manager of the F-16/F-22 Integrated Fighter Group. "Based on elements of the F-16V configuration, Taiwan's air force will receive the most advanced F-16 upgrades. This program reinforces the strong value proposition associated with commonality between the USAF F-16 program and the worldwide F-16 user community."

The F-16 is the choice of 26 nations. More than 4,500 aircraft have been delivered worldwide from assembly lines in five countries. The F-16 program has been characterized by unprecedented international cooperation among governments, air forces and aerospace industries. Major upgrades to all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft’s long service life.


Courtesy of Lockheed Martin

Additional images:

RoCAF F-16A block 20 #6673 from the 5th TFG is parked on the flightline at Taitung AFB on August 25th, 2007. [Photo by Martin Fenner]

RoCAF F-16A block 20 #6627 from the 22nd TFG is taking off from Gangshan AFB on September 1st, 2007. [Photo by Martin Fenner]