First F-16 Block 70 Fighters Head to Bahrain

The Persian Gulf island country is the first Gulf Cooperation Council member to operate the jets, Lockheed Martin said.

Wednesday, March 06, 2024 at 03:42 PM ET

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Preflight checks are completed on Bahrain's F-16 Block 70 single-seat fighter jet in preparation for its ferry flight from Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday. [Courtesy: Lockheed Martin]

Key Takeaways:

The first Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighter jets have departed the U.S. for Bahrain, marking Bahrain as the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member to operate these advanced aircraft.
These 4.5 generation fighters feature significant upgrades, including APG-83 AESA radar, advanced avionics, modernized cockpits, conformal fuel tanks for extended range, and an automatic ground collision avoidance system.
Lockheed Martin expects to deliver 19-21 F-16 Block 70s this year, with five already produced for Bahrain and additional aircraft in various stages of testing and production.

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The first Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70s departed the U.S. for Bahrain on Wednesday, making the Persian Gulf island country the first Gulf Cooperation Council member to operate the fighter jets.

The ferry cell of aircraft left Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday, and are among the 19-21 jets produced at the facility that the company anticipates delivering this year.