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HAI delivers 1st F-16 to USAF after CCIP upgrade

March 20, 2008 (by Asif Shamim) - Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) delivered the first structurally upgraded F-16 under CCIP/STAR program to the USA Air Force during a ceremony at the companies Tanagra facility.
In attendance were officials from the U.S. Government, USAFE & Lockheed Martin.

During the ceremony the Chairman of the Board of HAI, Mr. Kyriakos Linakis said "Today HAI is delivering the first of the 94 aircraft. HAI is committed to work under the same consistency and professionalism until the program is completed, and at the same time keep its focus on becoming one of the most competitive and productive companies in the field".

A speech from the CEO of HAI, Mr Tassos Philippakos went on to say "The CCIP/STAR program award to HAI placed the company at the lead of international competition, considering the fact that more European companies had submitted proposals".

Representing the USAFE, Colonel Dorothy Silvanic said "We are the grateful recipients of the efforts of Hellenic Aerospace Industry as you perform the Falcon Star and CCIP modifications on USAFE’s F-16 aircraft. There was a tremendous amount of hard work on the part of HAI and System Program Office at Hill Air Force Base and it is wonderful to see that hard work pays dividends".

From Hill Air Force Base, Mrs. Dawn Sutton also addressed the event stating that "HAI did an outstanding job, accomplishing this complex modification, on an aggressive time schedule”.

The scope of the Common Configuration Implementation Program / STAR program involves the structural and avionics upgrading of 94 USAFE F-16 fighter aircraft and it was awarded to HAI in April 2007. The first airframe handed over after the upgrade was F-16D block 50 #91-0474 from 23 FS. The program is contractual due for completion in 2013.