New U.S. F-16 Facility to Manufacture 128 Jets Worth $14 billion for Foreign Customers Our Bureau 813
New F-16 manufacturing plant in Greenville, South Carolina
The U.S. Air Force has teamed with Lockheed Martin Corp. to open a new production line to build the F-16 Block 70/72 fighter aircraft at the company’s new facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
Recently, and on behalf of five foreign military customers, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin Corp. approximately $14 billion, to build 128 F-16s at the facility through 2026.
The first F-16s are expected to roll off the production line in 2022, and production is expected to increase after the first year. The aircraft will be delivered to multiple foreign military partners, including Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan, and others, many of whom have expressed interest beyond the first deliveries.
The Aerial Port Exoskeleton helps aerial porters perform their duties with less strain.
“Aerial ports have a high injury rate in the Air Force,” said Tech. Sgt. Landon Jensen, Air Mobility Command innovations, systems and future command manager. “That’s why we are looking into this kind of solution to help porters perform their duties more safely while also helping reduce the risk of injuries, so they are not suffering later in life.”
Travis AFB is currently serving as the test base for the new exoskeleton equipment. If the equipment proves to be beneficial, it will be utilized throughout the Air Force.
The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $14 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to build new F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets for five countries through 2026.
Air Force Opens New F-16 Production Line for Foreign Military Sales
To support the growing demand for new F-16 aircraft from partner nations, the U.S. Air Force has teamed with Lockheed Martin Co. to open a new production line to build the F-16 Block 70/72 fighter aircraft at the company’s facility in Greenville, S.C.
Launched on Veterans Day 2019, the line is the only production facility for F-16s in the world, opening three years after the company’s long-time F-16 line in Fort Worth, Texas, wrapped up production.
Recently, and on behalf of five foreign military partners, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin approximately $14 billion, to build 128 F-16s at the facility through 2026.