PICTURE: First F-16 to
receive life extension modifications rolls out of shop
09 M
AY, 2018 - SOURCE:
FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM - BY: GARRETT REIM - LOS ANGELES
An Air Force
Thunderbird jet was the first Lockheed Martin F-16 to have a service life
extension – modifications that will add more than 4,000 flight hours to the
aircraft’s lifetime.
The aircraft is one of about 300
refurbished C and D models of the F-16s that will roll off the shop floor of
the 573rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hill AFB, Utah after receiving
structure-strengthening modifications, the USAF announced on May 3.
The F-16 service life extension
programme is aimed at keeping the fighters flying until close to 2050. The jets
became operational in 1979 and were originally deemed air worthy for up to
8,000 flight hours, but will have their life extended up to 12,000 flight hours
as part of the programme. The jets will receive a dozen structural
modifications, including changes to their bulkheads, wings and canopy.
“The Thunderbird jet presented
some challenges. This is the largest structural upgrade we’ve ever done,” said
Joe Gardenhour, civilian leader in the 573rd AMXS. “This programme moves beyond
the usual modifications into a standard package of repairs, and it is going to
bring stable workload into the depot for years to come.”
The Thunderbird jet was the
first of four F-16s that will be used as validation and verification aircraft.
Maintainers will use lessons learned from these first aircraft to better
establish the cost, workflow and timeline for the modification of future
Aircraft.
Once the final processes and
workforce are in place, the USAF’s goal is to complete each fighter in 9 months
at a cost of $2.4 million.
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