F-16 Fighting Falcon News

March 23, 2000 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Sanders, a Lockheed Martin Company, as a teammate to Lockheed Martin Information Systems, Fla., has been selected to design and develop flight line test equipment to support 80 United Arab Emirates (U. A. E. ) F-16s being produced by the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Officials from Lockheed Martin and the U. A. E. signed a $6.4 billion agreement March 5 in Abu Dhabi for the U. A. E. 's purchase of 80 F-16 aircraft and associated equipment. Pending U.S. Congressional approval, aircraft deliveries are scheduled for 2004 through 2007. The U. A. E. 's version of the F-16 is named the Desert Falcon, and will incorporate advanced capabilities. Its equipment package consists of conformal fuel tanks for extended range, new cockpit displays, a new internal sensor, a new mission computer, and other advanced features.

The Sanders subcontract, valued at approximately $80 million, includes Sanders' Enhanced Diagnostic Aid (EDNA) which is a portable maintenance system that enables flight line personnel to load operational software into aircraft avionics processors. Sanders will also supply Radio Frequency Transmission Line Test Sets (RFTLTS) which provide automatic testing and fault detection of coaxial and waveguide transmission systems and components.

The company will design, develop and deliver new support equipment and modify existing flight line equipment for the U. A. E. 's requirements. The flight line equipment to be delivered include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic support items.