Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon News and Developments

Change to Viva la VISTA VENOM Viper
 
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F-15EX timeline: first order July 2020, first flight February 2021, first delivery March 2021, all followed by an IOC in July 2024.

In that case it didn't take very long to get the first lot of eight tails into USAF hands. The key point was just to get that handful of developmental/validation jets into testers hands quickly. Much less time sensitivity after that.

So if the Viper G were to happen, and follow the same timeline, perhaps we'd see a contract award in calendar 2028, first delivery in 2029, IOC around 2032. Maybe with the ANG Viper unit they have in South Carolina already, since that's close to both the factory and all the expertise at Shaw? Would be poetic to sign the contract around the F-16's 50th IOC anniversary in August '28, and since the budget cycle is so horribly out of whack, IMO "next year's" budget and FYDP seem like they won't become a congressionally authorized budget for quite a while.
 
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books said:
F-15EX timeline: first order July 2020, first flight February 2021, first delivery March 2021, all followed by an IOC in July 2024.

In that case it didn't take very long to get the first lot of eight tails into USAF hands. The key point was just to get that handful of developmental/validation jets into testers hands quickly. Much less time sensitivity after that.

So if the Viper G were to happen, and follow the same timeline, perhaps we'd see a contract award in calendar 2028, first delivery in 2029, IOC around 2032. Maybe with the ANG Viper unit they have in South Carolina already, since that's close to both the factory and all the expertise at Shaw? Would be poetic to sign the contract around the F-16's 50th IOC anniversary in August '28, and since the budget cycle is so horribly out of whack, IMO "next year's" budget and FYDP seem like they won't become a congressionally authorized budget for quite a while.
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F-16 production is sold out for I believe the next four years but given delayed deliveries, see post #881 above, who knows when the USAF would actually be able to get their hands on airframes.
 
My guess is that they'd horse trade with the respective customers to get just a few tails (that is, just the test jets) into USAF hands faster. Say, a two-for-one deal on some FMS purchases an int'l customer might currently be negotiating, or free spare parts for a couple years, or a diplomatic concession, ect ect.

Some kind of method where customers aren't spooked by arm twisting behavior or discouraged from making future purchases
 
books said:
My guess is that they'd horse trade with the respective customers to get just a few tails (that is, just the test jets) into USAF hands faster. Say, a two-for-one deal on some FMS purchases an int'l customer might currently be negotiating, or free spare parts for a couple years, or a diplomatic concession, ect ect.

Some kind of method where customers aren't spooked by arm twisting behavior or discouraged from making future purchases
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Many of the current new customers are suffering badly from the delays already. Makes you wonder, whether they would accept another slow down and delay of deliveries. It may even translate into cancelation of contracts for non-fulfillment.
 
how many remaining F-16s are there in the queue? Bulgaria, Slovakia, Peru and Taiwan's orders?
 
helmutkohl said:
how many remaining F-16s are there in the queue? Bulgaria, Slovakia, Peru and Taiwan's orders?
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“Lockheed Martin says the order backlog for its F-16 Block 70/72 has reached 119 aircraft”

https://defence-industry.eu/lockhee...-broad-weapon-integration-to-combat-missions/

Here’s one on Bulgaria’s troubles:

https://thedefensepost.com/2026/08/19/bulgaria-f-16-delays/amp/

edited to add a Taipei Times article on their F-16 order for 66 aircraft that was supposed to start delivering in 2023, but is only about to start now, with TT reporting however that most of the rest should arrive this year or next:

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2026/06/16/2003859168
 
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