Lockheed Martin Announces Successful First Flight of F-16 Block 70 Aircraft

Rhea-AI Summary

Lockheed Martin (LMT) announced the successful first flight of the F-16 Block 70 on January 24, 2023, at its Greenville, South Carolina facility. The flight lasted approximately 50 minutes and involved critical airworthiness checks. This milestone marks the commencement of delivering 16 jets to Bahrain, while the backlog stands at 128 jets. Recent contracts from Jordan and Bulgaria could increase the backlog to 148 jets. The defense contractor emphasizes its commitment to quality and national security, driven by significant advancements in development and production.

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• Successful first flight of the F-16 Block 70, marking a significant milestone.
• Backlog of 128 F-16 jets, with potential to increase to 148 following new contracts.
• Demonstrated commitment to delivering advanced capabilities for national security.

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• None.

GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today announced the successful first flight of the F-16 Block 70 at its Greenville, South Carolina site. 

The flight occurred Jan. 24 at 9:17 a.m. ET, with Lockheed Martin test pilots Dwayne "Pro" Opella and Monessa "Siren" Balzhiser at the helm. Total flight time was approximately 50 minutes and included airworthiness checks, such as engine, flight control and fuel system checks, as well as basic aircraft handling. 

"Today's successful flight is a testament of the hard work, dedication and commitment to our customers and their missions," said OJ Sanchez, vice president, Integrated Fighter Group, which includes the F-16 program. "This milestone demonstrates Lockheed Martin's commitment to advancing this program and getting this much-needed aircraft and its advanced 21^st Century Security capabilities to the warfighter."

This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 16 jets to be delivered to Bahrain. Six countries have selected Block 70/72 aircraft. In addition to the current official backlog of 128 jets to-date to be built in Greenville, Jordan last year signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for eight jets and last week signed an additional LOA for four more jets. Lockheed Martin has received a contract to begin Jordan's long-lead activities. Bulgaria has also signed an LOA for an additional eight jets for its fleet. Once these are finalized, the backlog will increase to 148.

"Lockheed Martin is fully committed to delivering quality platforms for our customers' critical missions, and I am so proud of our talented team in Greenville," said Danya Trent, F-16 Vice President and Site Lead in Greenville. "This is the culmination of significant development, design, digital engineering, supply chain and production line advances to an already proven platform that will continue to deliver decades of service in support of customers' national security."

Click here for first flight video footage.

About the F-16

The F-16 is a strategic and valuable choice for many customers around the world seeking advanced, 4th generation fighter aircraft capabilities, regional and worldwide partnerships, and affordable lifecycle costs. More than 3,000 F-16s are operating today in 25 countries. The F-16 has flown an estimated 19.5 million flight hours and at least 13 million sorties. Today's latest version, the Block 70/72, offers unparalleled capabilities and will be flown by at least five countries beginning in the mid-2020s.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

FAQ

What is the significance of the first flight of the F-16 Block 70 announced by Lockheed Martin?

The first flight of the F-16 Block 70 represents a crucial milestone in Lockheed Martin's efforts to deliver advanced fighter jets, with a backlog of 128 units potentially increasing to 148.

When did Lockheed Martin conduct the first flight of the F-16 Block 70?

Lockheed Martin conducted the first flight of the F-16 Block 70 on January 24, 2023.

Who were the test pilots for the F-16 Block 70's first flight?

The test pilots for the F-16 Block 70's first flight were Dwayne 'Pro' Opella and Monessa 'Siren' Balzhiser.

What countries are receiving the F-16 Block 70 jets?

The F-16 Block 70 jets are being delivered to Bahrain, and Jordan and Bulgaria have also expressed interest by signing contracts for additional jets.

What is the current backlog of F-16 jets for Lockheed Martin?

Lockheed Martin currently has a backlog of 128 F-16 jets, which could increase to 148 with recent orders.