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LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16 FIGHTS ON

25 years after its maiden flight the F-16 is among the fighter classics: Over 4,000 are on order, and the Fighting Falcons have been in action for over seven million hours in 19 countries. With further improvements, the multi-role fighter will be an attractive proposition even after the year 2000.

After 18 years and 4,000 flight hours in the F-16 Major Michael J. Brill of the USAF,s 466th Fighter Squadron at Hill AFB (Utah) is still enthusiastic. The Fighting Falcon "is a great electronic fighter [with Fly-by-Wire Steering]. It is fun to fly. The engines have more thrust. It has more and better avionics. It can take on board the latest weapons. It was super when it was first introduced and 20 years later its still stat of the art", explained Brill at the end of August, when he was the first pilot to reach this milestone.

Evaluations like this are very welcome at Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems in Fort Worth (Texas). Tight defence budgets throughout the world and the emergence of new European fighters of the fourth generation like the Saab JAS 39 Gripen or the Eurofighter EF2000 (Typhoon) make the marketing of this bestseller more and more difficult.

It was thus seen as a big success when - with a lot of pomp - the United Arab Emirates announced their decision in May to acquire the "Block-60" version of the F-16. It incorporates the latest technical advances, including a radar with electronic beam movement, FLIR (which is integrated in thenose), three big LCD-Colour screens in the cockpit, new computers and big additional tanks on the back of the fuselage.

However, contracts for 80 aircraft have not yet been signed. They will cost the impressive sum of around $7 billion, inclusive of support, spare parts and weapons. One problem seems to be technology transfer. The reason being that - for the first time - the USA is selling a version of the F-16 which is even better than its own aircraft. Nevertheless the Lockheed Martin "Fighter Enterprise" hopes that negotiations will be complete by the end of the year.

Because work is still necesarry to develop the aircraft, the hand over of Fighting Falcons to the UAE will not start before 2002 and continue until 2004. This could lead to a disruption in production, because currently the last delivery of an F-16 built in Fort Worth is scheduled for the spring of 2001.

Comprehensive rationalisation measures and the introduction of "commercial practices" have reduced the delivery time of a standard aircraft from between 36 and 42 months, to only 24 months. However this still means that the marketing people must hurry up to land new contracts. The following countries are especially targeted right now:

• Greece, where 40 to 60 new fighters are needed. This country is already using F-16s and one might decide on a mix of additional Fighting Falcons (10-20) and a new plane like the Boeing F-15, Eurofighter or Su-27. A decision is not expected before the beginning of 1999.
• Israel is also thinking of a "mixed purchase" in order to complete its F-16 and F-15 fleets. Offers are being put forward until the end of the year, and a decision is expected in the spring of 1999. Orders are expected for up to 60 Fighting Falcons.
• Norway is acquiring between 20 and 40 aircraft, and is deciding between the F-16 and the Eurofighter. However, offers have to be extremely detailed, because of high-quality offset and industrial cooperation requirements. A decision is not expected before the spring of 2000.

Furthermore the Falcon is competing for business in the Philippines and Chile. Each country is interested in taking between 12 and 24 aircraft. After the Asia Crisis and the evident repercussions, governments have either shelved or postponed the programs.

Lack of funds is also a problem for some countries aspiring to join NATO, among them Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. After extremely expensive marketing activities, which now go on for years, all bidders have finally recognised the fact that second hand aircraft will probably be a first step. Here the F-16 is in a good position, because at the Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona hundreds of F-16A/B's which have been taken out of service, are waiting for new users. Because delivery to Pakistan had been embargoed by the US Government, there are even 28 brand new F-16C/Ds available.

Despite the current unfavourable market conditions, the decision-makers at Lockheed Martin are confident that they will be able to sell about another 500 F-16s. Possible purchasers might include Saudi Arabia (50-100) and Brazil (50).

The manufacturer sees more than half of the sales potential with existing users like Egypt (30-50) or Turkey (70-100). Already the Fighting Falcon can boast 30 repeat orders from 14 Air Forces. This is, according to the manufacturer, impressive proof of the fighter's qualities, which despite better opponents is said to be four times more capable in combat today than at the beginning of its career.

Most of all the F-16 is unbeatably cheap to buy. Comprehensive programs to lower the price of the aircraft have brought down the Fly-away price to a little less than 20 million Dollars, (value in 1994). This is about half the cost of the Eurofighter.

No matter how the Fighting Falcon performs in future sales competitions, one thing is for sure: It will be one of the world's most popular fighter planes well into the 21st century.

From page 12 of FLUG REVUE 12/98