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Morocco unveils its block 52 F-16s
August 4, 2011 (by
Laura Siebert) -
The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) unveiled the first four of 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft in a ceremony today at Ben Guerrir Air Base in Morocco.
Senior representatives from the Moroccan and U.S. governments and air forces were present for the historic event.
This is Morocco's first experience with the F-16 so the package being provided by the U.S. government is comprehensive. Morocco will acquire a block 52 configuration of the F-16C/D aircraft tailored to meet the specific requirements of the RMAF.
The sale includes the aircraft, mission equipment and a support package provided by Lockheed Martin and other U.S. and international contractors. The new aircraft will supplement the RMAF's existing fleet of fighter aircraft and will contribute to the upgrade and modernization of the RMAF.
"The delivery of these aircraft places Morocco among the very elite group of air forces of the world who operate the advanced multirole F-16," said Ralph D. Heath, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics business area.
RMAF F-16C block 52 #08-8003 is touching down on the runway at NAS Fort Worth in February of 2011. [Photo by Scott Fischer]
This is Morocco's first experience with the F-16 so the package being provided by the U.S. government is comprehensive. Morocco will acquire a block 52 configuration of the F-16C/D aircraft tailored to meet the specific requirements of the RMAF.
The sale includes the aircraft, mission equipment and a support package provided by Lockheed Martin and other U.S. and international contractors. The new aircraft will supplement the RMAF's existing fleet of fighter aircraft and will contribute to the upgrade and modernization of the RMAF.
"The delivery of these aircraft places Morocco among the very elite group of air forces of the world who operate the advanced multirole F-16," said Ralph D. Heath, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics business area.
Courtesy of Lockheed Martin
Additional images:
The first four of 24 Lockheed Martin advanced block 52 F-16s produced for the Royal Moroccan Air Force have left the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth en route to Morrocco. Airframe #08-8001 is seen here during its first flight on October 11th, 2010. [Photo by David Drais]
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