Korean Falcons Ready for Upgrade

摘要

The first two Korea Aerospace Industries KF-16 Fighting Falcons of the Republic of Korea Air Force have arrived in the United States to be upgraded by BAE Systems, in partnership with the US Air Force. The work is being carried out at Alliance Airport, Fort Worth, Texas, under the terms of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract. A total of 134 KF-16C/D Block 52 aircraft will be fitted with advanced weapons and avionics, including advanced mission computers, new cockpit displays, targeting sensors and the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar. Phase 1 of the project covers detailed design of the hardware and software and is funded by a FMS announced on November 25, 2013 (see KF-16 Upgrade Progressing, January, p7). Phase 2 funds the completion of the systems integration and flight test activities, followed by production and installation of the upgrades. It is expected to begin before the end of the year, after the changes to the aircraft have been accepted.