Lockheed Martin has received a $1.2 billion contract to provide upgrades on the Republic of Korea Air Force’s fleet of F-16s. The company will upgrade 134 South Korean fighters based on the F-16V configuration, commonly known as Vipers. New systems will include the advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and an off-the-shelf avionics suite, as well as an improved pedestal display and data bus. The agreement is a foreign military sales contract originated by the Air Force, and work is scheduled to be completed by 2025.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…