RBAF F-16Vs will be the first Vipers to be produced in newly established F-16 production line in Greenville

RBAF F-16Vs will be the first Vipers to be produced in newly established F-16 production line in Greenville

By Dario Leone
Jun 27 2018
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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


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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