In a recent development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., based in Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a significant contract worth $177,048,070. This firm-fixed-price contract also includes a maximum amount with a time and material ceiling of $100,000. The contract is designed to provide support for Foreign Military Sales to the Chilean Air Force, specifically related to their F-16 M6.6 Operational Flight Program and Systems Upgrade. Work on this project will take place across multiple locations, including Fort Worth, Texas, Greenville, South Carolina, and Chile. The anticipated completion date for this project is November 30, 2032. Notably, this contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Chile and is classified as a sole source acquisition.
Chile's air force currently operates a fleet of 44 F-16s. This fleet comprises 10 Block 50 models acquired in the early 2000s, alongside 36 older models that were purchased second-hand from the Netherlands. While reports of Chile's intention to upgrade their existing F-16 fleet emerged in 2017, the final details had not been publicly disclosed until now. Additionally, analysts have speculated that Chile may consider procuring a small number of new F-16s to complement its existing fleet.
The upgrades encompassed within this potential sale are comprehensive and include a range of advanced equipment. These enhancements consist of 19 Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS), six inert MK-82 (500LB) general purpose bomb bodies, two MXU-650KB Air Foil Groups (AFG), 44 LN-260 Embedded GPS/INS (EGI), and 49 Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radios (MIDS JTRS). Furthermore, the upgrades extend to avionics equipment, software improvements, new radios, upgraded IFF transponders, secure communications equipment, and various other essential components.
Recent developments also reveal that the Chilean F-16s are expected to be equipped with Israeli Python 4 and Derby missiles, as well as JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition). It is worth noting that these upgraded F-16s will not include the standard TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) system, as it is deemed unnecessary for operations in South America. Moreover, the airframes of these aircraft lack the capability to fire AMRAAM or HARM missiles, in compliance with U.S. regulations. This adaptation to the MLU (Mid-Life Update) configuration is consistent across the fleet.
It is essential to highlight that Link 16 terminals, which are common in many F-16s, are absent on the new Chilean F-16s. Additionally, these terminals are removed in the MLU airframes upon delivery. However, in later years, the usage of both AMRAAM and HARM missiles was approved by the U.S. Congress and introduced into the inventory of the Chilean Air Force (FACh).
For low-level navigation purposes, the Chilean Air Force acquired 25 GEC-Marconi Atlantic pods from the Netherlands. Although 60 of these pods were purchased in the nineties, they were never put into operational use due to a shift in operational tactics, replacing low-level flying within NATO with medium and high-level flying, prompted by changed operational circumstances.
This significant contract and the associated upgrades underscore the commitment of the F-16 Systems Program Office to supporting the Chilean Air Force's efforts to enhance its air capabilities and maintain a modern and robust fleet. The collaboration between Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. and the Chilean Air Force represents a vital step in this journey towards bolstering defense and security.
As Chile takes these strides in modernizing its F-16 fleet, the support provided by the F-16 Systems Program Office remains pivotal in ensuring that the country's air force remains at the forefront of technology and capability. This partnership will undoubtedly contribute to Chile's continued commitment to fostering a strong defense ecosystem.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. and the Chilean Air Force reflects the ongoing efforts to support and advance the capabilities of Chile's F-16 fleet. These upgrades signify a significant step towards bolstering national defense and security, keeping Chile at the forefront of military aviation technology.
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Air Force