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“It’s all about F-16s” at BAE Systems

: Feb 12, 2014 - : 9:32 am

One member of the BAE Systems team explained that the company’s exhibits at the Singapore Air Show were “all about F-16s”. Uppermost in the company’s mind is Singapore’s proposed midlife upgrade (MLU) of its 60-strong F-16C/D fleet.

Lockheed Martin has traditionally dominated the upgrade market for F-16s, as original manufacturer of its own fighter. However, BAE Systems is upsetting the apple cart, especially after the company was awarded a contract to upgrade the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) F-16 fleet in 2012. South Korea also chose the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar (RACR) for its programme.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the US Congress in December of Singapore’s intention to modernise its F-16s. However, BAE Systems hopes to turn this into a two-horse competition. T.O. Hanford, an F-16 subject matter expert with BAE Systems, highlighted the fact that his company’s approach to F-16 upgrades can perform upgrades more cheaply and quickly. One reason for this is that rewiring and relocation of new components is kept to a minimum. This is reflected in key figures: each ROKAF F-16 is scheduled to take just 2.5 months to complete its overhaul, which is approximately half of what other integrators have historically achieved.

BAE Systems, which has been involved with the F-16 programme since its inception, offers the latest-generation Advanced Mission Computer. Another highlight is the cockpit’s high-resolution central screen that can be used for targeting. The company notes it can integrate any systems nominated by the customer because “a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work”.

BAE Systems is also highlighting its new Digital Light Engine Head-Up Display (DLE HUD) at the exhibition.

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