On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Lockheed Martin-owned company PZL Mielec announced that it had delivered the first aft fuselage of the F-16 Block 70/72 multirole aircraft to the final assembly plant in Greenville, South Carolina, where it was mated with the rest of the structure.
Photos: PZL Mielec, Lockheed Martin
As we can read in the press release “PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful mating of its first locally manufactured aft fuselage for the F-16 Block 70/72 (…) This marks the first time a PZL-built aft fuselage has been integrated into an aircraft on the production line, underscoring Poland’s growing role in global defense manufacturing and its economic impact.”
The production of the aft fuselage at PZL Mielec was completed in August 2023, after which it was shipped to Greenville.
The mating process, which involves the precise alignment and secure attachment of the rear section of the F-16 to the main fuselage, is a critical stage in the aircraft’s construction. This delicate procedure, carried out by highly skilled technicians, ensures the jet’s structural integrity and performance. Successful completion of this process allows the F-16 to move along the assembly line, culminating in rigorous testing and final delivery to international clients.
“This milestone is a proud moment for the entire team at PZL Mielec,” said Janusz Zakręcki, President and General Director of PZL Mielec. “Our dedicated workforce, which includes some of the most skilled technicians in the industry, has demonstrated Poland’s capability to contribute meaningfully to the global defense landscape. This achievement not only enhances our national defense capabilities but also strengthens our position as a key player on the world stage.”
“This achievement is a testament to the strong partnership between Lockheed Martin and PZL Mielec,” added OJ Sanchez, vice president, Integrated Fighter Group, Lockheed Martin. “The successful integration of this aft fuselage is not only a technical milestone but also a clear demonstration of Poland’s growing capabilities in advanced defense manufacturing. This collaboration enhances our global production network and strengthens the strategic role Poland plays in supporting 21st Century Security for our international customers.”
We can read further: “Beyond its defense significance, this milestone represents a major economic boost for Poland. PZL Mielec, employing over 1,650 skilled workers, is at the forefront of Poland’s industrial growth, contributing significantly to local job creation and the economy. The collaboration between Lockheed Martin and PZL Mielec has already seen over $170 million invested in modernization efforts, further solidifying Poland’s reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing.”
On November 22, 2021, it was announced that PZL Mielec would produce and supply components and assemblies for the construction of F-16 aircraft. Consequently, in 2022, plant personnel underwent specialized training in the USA, and on March 30, 2023, the completion of the first two structures was reported. Ultimately, the Mielec plant is set to supply the aft fuselage, central fuselage, cockpit structure, and its side panels with the forward bay for all newly produced F-16s.
Meanwhile, on October 22 of this year, the first of 16 F-16C/D Block 70 multirole aircraft ordered by Bulgaria had its maiden flight. Bulgaria will be the second country in Europe to receive brand-new F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft, following Slovakia, which ordered 14 units.
Orders for brand-new F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft total 148 units. Besides Bulgaria and Slovakia, Bahrain (16 units, three delivered), Jordan (12 units), Morocco (25 units), and Taiwan (66 units) have opted to purchase them. On January 26 of this year, Turkey received approval to purchase 40 brand-new F-16C/D Block 70s and an upgrade package for 79 of its older aircraft to the F-16V standard. Additionally, the aircraft are being offered to India (as the F-21 variant), Ukraine, the Philippines, and, more recently, Colombia and Vietnam.
The latest variant of the F-16 was announced at the Singapore Airshow in 2012. The prototype F-16 Block 70 had its maiden flight on October 16, 2015. It was equipped with the new APG-83 SABR radar featuring an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) antenna. The aircraft received a new mission computer with a Center Pedestal Display (CPD) LCD screen. It also features upgraded avionics components, a high-bandwidth Ethernet data bus, and enhanced electronic warfare equipment (EW). Additionally, it can carry the Sniper Extended Range (XR) targeting pod.