LOCKHEED MARTIN Tactical Aircraft Systems is positioning itself to offer a re-winged F-16 "Falcon 2000" to the US Air Force if the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) programme is delayed or cancelled.
"We are ready to start cutting metal on this aircraft," says programme manager John Bean, who adds that private-venture design of the delta-winged aircraft has been under way for about 18 months.
The company is also offering the aircraft, as the F-16U, alongside an upgraded "Block 60" version of the basic F-16, for the United Arab Emirates' 80-aircraft fighter requirement, competing against aircraft such as the F-15E, Dassault Rafale and Sukhoi Su-35. A decision is expected before the end of this year.
The Falcon 2000 has a 65m2 delta wing with 52¡ leading-edge sweep, and a 1.4m fuselage extension. The new wing planform offers 20 hardpoints, compared with the standard aircraft's 13 and together, with the fuselage stretch, offers an internal fuel-capacity of more than 7,200kg - more than double that of the F-16C/D. The Falcon 2000 "can equal or exceed" the 4,450km (2,400nm) range of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E, says Bean. "We have prototyped all the things that are on this aircraft," he adds.
Lockheed Martin sees a market for the aircraft emerging within three to four years, as an alternative to further USAF F-15E acquisitions. The company says that it could begin deliveries within three and a half years of a programme launch.
The US Congress, meanwhile, is beginning to show signs of support for further USAF F-16 acquisitions, with the House National Security Committee approving funds for the procurement of six aircraft in the defence budget for fiscal year 1996.
Air Combat Command chief Gen. Michael Loh says that the USAF needs 120 additional F-16s, and has outlined technology improvements required for the aircraft under its Fighter Configuration Plan.
Source: Flight International
