Poland Announces Decision to Purchase 48 Lockheed Martin
F-16 Aircraft
Fort Worth, Texas The government of Poland today declared ay
Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] the winner in the fighter competition
to supply the Polish Air Force with 48 advanced multirole aircraft.
Poland selected Lockheed Martins advanced Block 52 F-16C/D over
Dassaults Mirage and the SAAB/BAE Systems Gripen.
"Lockheed Martin is truly honored to be entrusted by the government
of Poland to provide its forces with new fighter aircraft, said
George Standridge, Lockheed Martins F-16 campaign director in
Poland. We look forward to working with the Ministry of Economy
and Polish industry to immediately begin new, long term business
relationships with our worldwide F-16 industrial team.
By selecting the advanced Block 52 F-16C/D, Poland has ensured its
air force will be equipped with the most capable multirole fighter
in NATO. Additional elements of the winning package include the
most advanced U.S. weapons, training performed by the U.S. Air
Force, and long-term support of the aircraft. The U.S. government
has also provided a low interest loan to help the Polish government
finance the purchase.
I would also like to add my personal thanks to the U.S. Embassy in
Warsaw for its very strong support and guidance during this
campaign effort, and the excellent teamwork of U.S. government
agencies in Washington, said Standridge. "Our team worked very
hard to show the advantages of the F-16. We believe it is the best
fighter in the world and it continues to prove itself in military
operations daily. Polands ever-growing strategic relationship with
the United States and the F-16s proven capabilities made the U.S.
fighter a logical choice. In joining the F-16 family, Poland has
chosen to secure its place in NATO while establishing a clear path
towards the future.
The F-16 has proven to be the most popular and successful modern
fighter in the world market today with over 4,350 under contract.
Poland will become the ninth European country and the 24th in the
world to fly the F-16. Poland joins a NATO force of over 1,000
other F-16s throughout the region. Powered by Pratt & Whitney
engines, the 48 Polish F-16s are projected to be in service for
more than 30 years.
The F-16, the worlds most sought-after fighter, is the choice of
24 countries. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered,
hundreds more are on order for the United States and seven other
countries, and production is expected to continue beyond 2010.
Major upgrades for all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep
the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircrafts long
service life.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., headquartered in Fort Worth,
Texas, is a leader in the design, development, systems integration,
production, and support of advanced military aircraft and related
technologies. Its customers include the military services of the
United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products
include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130,
C-130J, P-3 and U-2.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corp.,
headquartered in Bethesda, Md. Lockheed Martin is a global
enterprise principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology
systems, products and services. Employing about 125,000 people
worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales of $24 billion.
http://www.lmaeronautics.com/news/programnews/combat_air/f16/f16_02/f16pr021227.html
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Hmmm, it got selected over the Gripen??? I tot Gripen was supposed
to be 4th Gen while Block 52 is just upgrade of 3rd Gen. , whats
all this Gen thing about anyway? Other then the point in time at
which the aircraft were developed, what qualifies an aircraft as
3rd Gen. or 4th Gen?