Lockheed Martin modernizes Korean F-16 flight trainers to F-16V standard
The UK government has announced funding for a groundbreaking project led by Honeywell, aiming to revolutionise the manufacturing of critical aerospace technologies in the UK. The project will utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) and additive manufacturing to modernise the industry.
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin, a global leader in the defence industry, has secured a contract to upgrade the Republic of Korea Air Force's F-16 Block 52 flight simulators to the advanced F-16V configuration. The F-16V configuration, similar to the new F-16 Block 70 aircraft, boasts advanced avionics, a proven Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, a modernised cockpit, and various other advancements.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of all F-16 variants, will use design and software data of the actual aircraft to deliver ground-based training experiences that closely resemble flight experiences. Since 2001, aviators from 16 allied nations have trained with Lockheed Martin F-16 training systems.
The upgrades will mirror the advanced capabilities of the F-16V aircraft, including enhanced mission capabilities and high-fidelity simulated environments. These systems can be networked together, allowing pilots to train in various scenarios.
In other news, Lockheed Martin will provide new equipment and systems integration for nine F-16 flight simulators at Seosan and Chungju Air Bases. The contract also includes continued support for contractor logistics services over a period of six years.
Elsewhere, Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, has secured an $18m contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to sustain TF33 engines.
Meanwhile, Boeing has launched a new Engineering Center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Research Park. Brookhouse Aerospace has also invested over £500,000 in additional machinery to extend its engineering capabilities.
However, a recent report suggests that the UK defence sector is failing to capitalise on transformative manufacturing capabilities that could revolutionise supply chain resilience and cut costs by £110m. Dassault Systèmes has announced that the NCC has adopted the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud and extended its use to other innovation centres within the UK High Value Manufacturing Catapult network.
These developments underscore the ongoing innovation and investment in the aerospace and defence industries, as companies and governments strive to stay at the cutting edge of technology and training.
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