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WASHINGTON: Lockheed Martin Corp. has been awarded a $931.3 million U.S. Air Force contract modification for work on advanced F-16 C/D fighter aircraft bound for Greece, the Defense Department said Thursday.
The underlying government-to-government deal for 30 F-16s was announced a year ago. At the time, Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed estimated its part of the overall program at $1.2 billion.
The Defense Department, in its daily contract summary, said the procurement of 20 single-place F-16 C Block 52 aircraft and 10 two-place F-16D Block 52 aircraft would be accomplished under a fixed price portion of the contract.
The initial contract was awarded for the “long lead” requirements only, the notice said. Such items typically include raw materials and tooling.
The latest Pentagon action represents “basically another payment to continue long lead tasks toward production of these airplanes,” said Joe Stout, a Lockheed spokesman.
Greece is to take delivery of the new aircraft in 2009. They will supplement the existing Greek Air Force F-16 fleet. Under the government-to-government deal announced last December, Greece has an option for another 10 F-16s.
In a separate U.S. Air Force action announced simultaneously, Lockheed Martin is being awarded a $379.6 million contract modification for long lead work on F-22 fighter aircraft, the Pentagon said.
