Lockheed Martin F-16s Fly with First Production
Conformal Fuel Tanks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2003
Fort Worth, Texas The first production F-16 conformal fuel tanks
(CFTs) recently were flown for the first time on newly produced
Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT]F-16s.
CFTs are two large external, pod-like fuel reservoirs attached to
the left- and right-side of the F-16s upper fuselage. The tanks
lower surfaces conform to the aircraft shape. Together, a shipset
holds 450 gallons, or about 3,060 pounds of JP-5/8 fuel.
The CFTs significantly increase the F-16 mission range and patrol
time on station, said John L. Bean, vice president of F-16
programs. They also provide increased air-to-ground payload
potential and greater stores flexibility. The CFTs can be utilized
throughout the F-16s full flight envelope and have little or no
effect on the F-16s renowned agility, flight performance, handling
qualities, existing stores certification, signature and
maintainability.
Development testing of the CFTs was completed in October 2002, and
the first production shipset was received at Fort Worth in January
2003. All Advanced Block 50/52 and Block 60 F-16 versions are
compatible with the new CFTs.
"Development and production of the F-16 CFTs was a major task and
involved almost all of the disciplines required for a complete
aircraft," said Bean. "We are very pleased with the final product
and consider it a tribute to all those in industry and government,
here and abroad, who made it happen."
Greeces Hellenic Air Force is the lead customer for the CFTs as
well as the Advanced Block 52 F-16 version. The production CFTs
were flown on two aircraft recently produced for Greece in the
60-aircraft Peace Xenia III Foreign Military Sales program. One
aircraft was a C model (single seat), and the other was a D model
(two-seat with weapons system operator station and dorsal avionics
compartment).
The F-16, the choice of 24 countries, is the worlds most
sought-after fighter. 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-130J, P-3,
S-3 and U-2.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. 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 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.
The D model looks cool 
