Lockheed Martin Unveils Its Inaugural F-16 for Enhanced Maintenance Initiative
Lockheed Martin has successfully acquired its inaugural F-16 from the U.S. Air Force under a $900 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract awarded in December 2020 to deliver sustainment support and depot-overflow services for F-16 aircraft.
The F-16 reached the Lockheed Martin site in Greenville, South Carolina, from Edwards Air Force Base, California, on March 9, 2021, and was inducted on March 15 to commence operations.
“The introduction of this initial jet signifies the commencement of fighter sustainment activities at our facility, establishing Greenville as an F-16 Center of Excellence, dedicated to both F-16 production and sustainment endeavors,” stated Mike Fox, the site director at Lockheed Martin Greenville.
The IDIQ contract also inaugurates the first-ever U.S.-based F-16 industry depot to support government-owned facilities, including depot-level maintenance tasks, preset programmatic operations, aircraft modifications, and unexpected drop-in maintenance. As the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Lockheed Martin is exceptionally equipped to offer extensive expertise regarding the aircraft and customized sustainment solutions to enhance the F-16 fleet’s capability, readiness, and efficiency.
“We are thrilled about this opportunity to strengthen our collaboration with the U.S. Air Force and ensure the ongoing readiness and operational capabilities of the F-16 fleet,” commented Danya Trent, Vice President of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Program.
“Our dedicated team of F-16 specialists in Greenville stands ready to tackle our clients’ most pressing challenges, ensuring seamless collaboration between Production and Sustainment operations to provide comprehensive lifecycle support for the F-16,” she further noted.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon features advanced interoperable capabilities that fortify partnerships with allies globally. It has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness for decades, remaining the top choice among 4th generation aircraft due to its exceptional capabilities and cost-effective lifecycle. To date, a total of 4,588 F-16s have been manufactured and are currently in service across 25 nations.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a leading global aerospace and security firm that employs approximately 114,000 individuals worldwide, primarily engaged in the research, design, development, manufacturing, integration, and support of advanced technological systems, products, and services.
