Lockheed Martin will build 16 F-16Vs for Bahrain
The newly established F-16 production line in Greenville, South Carolina will soon be manufacturing 16 F-16Vs for the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF).
The production contract worth $1.1 billion was awarded by the Pentagon to Lockheed Martin on Jun. 22.
The work is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2023, according to Release No: CR-119-18.
RBAF F-16Vs will be the first Vipers to be built in Greenville, South Carolina. As we have previously explained Lockheed Martin has decided last year to move the F-16 production line from Forth Worth, to Greenville to make more room for F-35 line in Texas. Because of the move about two years were required to start the F-16 production in South Carolina.
According to Lockheed Martin, having served with 28 customers around the world, the F-16 continues to prove itself as the world’s most successful, combat-proven multi-role fighter aircraft. Currently the F-16V, an option for both new production F-16s and F-16 upgrades, is the latest and most advanced F-16 on the market. The F-16V configuration includes numerous enhancements designed to keep the F-16 at the forefront of international security.
The F-16V provides advanced combat capabilities in a scalable and affordable package. The core of the F-16V configuration is the APG-83 AESA radar, a modern commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based avionics subsystem, a large-format, high-resolution display; and a high-volume, high-speed data bus. Operational capabilities are enhanced through a Link-16 Theater Data Link, Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, advanced weapons, precision GPS navigation, and the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).
Photo credit: Lockheed Martin
