Lockheed Martin F-16

Even if Ukraine can push Russian forces out of the country, it is likely Moscow will continue to harbor territorial ambitions.

The ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield completed an internal critical design review, the company announced on Jan. 30.

U.S. President Joe Biden appeared to dismiss the possibility of directly providing Lockheed Martin F-16s to Ukraine.

Momentum for the handover of fighters to supplement Ukraine’s remaining air defense fleet of Soviet-era Sukhoi Su-27s and RAC MiG-29s is gradually gaining.

Col. Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for Ukraine’s Air Forces Command, said the type of aircraft likely to be provided has been determined.

The delayed milestone keeps the program on track for a rescheduled first delivery of the upgraded, single-engine fighter to the Royal Bahrain Air Force.

The Lockheed Martin’s Block 70s will be Jordan’s first new-build F-16s.

Netherlands ministers have suggested they could make F-16s available to Ukraine if Kiev requests the combat aircraft.

“We expect approval in line with our joint strategic interest,” Turkey Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavosoglu told reporters.

The European Union has said it will provide fighter jets to Ukraine as part of a €450 million ($502.3 million) support package of lethal aid.

The seat, a derivative of the company’s Mk. 18 escape system, was selected by Lockheed Martin as part of an open competition.

Turkey is reportedly looking to acquire Block 70-standard F-16s, and would upgrade around 80 of its Block 50 aircraft to the F-16V standard.

Belgium’s F-16 fleet has returned to operations after being grounded over engine problems.

The Netherlands is temporarily taking over Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) air-policing duties for Belgium following the grounding of that country’s F-16 fighter fleet.

The U.S. Air Force chief of staff envisions a 4.5-generation, or fifth generation “minus,” as the F-16 replacement.

Greece’s Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB) has carried out the post-modification test flights of its first upgraded F-16V.

A major upgrade for the Air National Guard's F-16s has reached full operational capability status a month after a jet equipped with a new radar demonstrated a new cruise missile defense role.

The F-16 Block 70/72 contract to be awarded on August 14 will use an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity format. As each foreign buyer signs an order, the Air Force will sign a task order under the ID/IQ contract to Lockheed, rather than renegotiating pricing for every foreign customer.

The F-15 fleet is expected to enter qualifications by the end of 2021, to be followed by the F-16, F-22, A-10 and B-1.

The U.S. Air Force’s fiscal 2021 budget submission shows plans to integrate Northrop Grumman APG-83 AESA radars on 330 more F-16s.