Aircraft
BAE Challenges Lockheed Martin for F-16 Upgrade Work
The Republic of Korea Air Force will evaluate rival bids from Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems to upgrade its fleet of F-16s. (Photo: Chris Pocock)
The Republic of Korea Air Force will evaluate rival bids from Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems to upgrade its fleet of F-16s. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

BAE Systems is competing against Lockheed Martin to be the prime contractor for Korea’s forthcoming upgrade of some 130 F-16s. Attention has focused largely on the competition between Northrop Grumman and Raytheon to supply the AESA radar. But the Korean request for proposals also invited non-OEMs to bid as system integrator. Taiwan and the U.S. are also planning a similar upgrade to some 140 and 300 aircraft, respectively. Other F-16 operators may follow, making this a multibillion-dollar market.