May 27, 1999 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
On May 28, 1999, Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems delivered the first aircraft in Egypt's fifth F-16 procurement program, known as Peace Vector V.
The first aircraft was delivered one month ahead of contract schedule. Remaining aircraft are on, or ahead of schedule, and will deliver at a rate of two per month through May 2000. The first aircraft will remain at Fort Worth for approximately a year to support training of Egyptian Air Force maintenance technicians.
This fifth lot consists of 21 single-seat F-16C
block 40 versions. These aircraft will be used to create an additional squadron at a base in
Egypt where the Block 40 version is already operating. This program was a challenge in that Lockheed Martin had not fully assembled a Block 40 version at Fort Worth since 1993.
