Polish factory creates first parts for newest F-16 Viper fighters

PZL Mielec has announced the production of the first fuselage components for the assembly of the latest Block 70/72 Viper-level F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters. Two airframe structures are ready and awaiting shipment to the USA.

Here's What We Know

PZL Mielec is a company that has been producing aircraft in Poland for a very long time. It is worth noting that the company is owned by US defence firm Lockheed Martin.

The Polish plant will produce the front and rear parts of the central fuselage. Both components will be delivered to Lockheed Martin's facility in South Carolina, where the first F-16V fighter jet upgraded to Block 70/72 was unveiled a few weeks ago.

The South Carolina plant originally had a plan to produce 127 fourth-generation aircraft. However, Jordan and Bulgaria ordered 12 and eight units respectively. As a result, the plan was increased to 147 fighters.

Technically, upgrading the Viper turns the F-16 into a Generation 4++ aircraft. It is equipped with Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-83 radar. By the way, the manufacturer recently received $128 million for radar development to upgrade the F-16 Block 40 and Block 50 aircraft.

Block 70/72 brings more than just a new radar station. The fighter received the Link 16 communications system, which allows it to exchange data with fifth-generation aircraft. Also note the presence of an enhanced electronic warfare station and the F110-GE-129 engine.

Source: wGospodarce