The U.S. Air Force recently exercised a contract option associated with Phase III of the F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) by awarding Lockheed Martin $26.6 million for retrofit kits to modify 22 Block 40/42 aircraft. With follow-on options to provide kits for nearly 400 Block 40/42 F-16s in the Air Force fleet, Phase III has a potential total contract value of $396 million.

"The F-16 CCIP continues to be a model program," said John L. Bean, vice president of F-16 programs. "We have delivered kits on or ahead of schedule and were successful in accelerating kits at customer request to meet operational commitments. We are receiving glowing reports from the several squadrons who are operating the modified aircraft, and we expect even greater satisfaction when they begin receiving the full-up configuration in the field."

The F-16 CCIP is designed to provide the latest capabilities to approximately 650 Block 40/42/50/52 F-16s operated by the active USAF and Air National Guard. The resulting configuration provides a high degree of commonality in hardware and software, with attendant benefits in logistics support costs, training, operational flexibility and future upgrades. The upgrades also provide a high degree of commonality with new production F-16s for international customers and with the F-16 Mid-Life Update being performed on 400 F-16A/Bs operated by five European NATO partners.

The program is divided into phases: Phase I and IA for the initial systems to Block 50/52 aircraft; Phase II for the full modification to Block 50/52 aircraft; and Phase III for the full modification to Block 40/42 aircraft. (Phases I and II are being incrementally funded and are in work under previous contracts.)

The F-16 is the choice of 24 countries. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered, hundreds more are on order, 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 aircraft's long service life.

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