Can you
guess which fixed-wing aircraft in military service is most popular today? In
other words, which fixed wing aircraft in military service has the largest
global fleet? The answer is rather simple and straightforward. It is the F16
aircraft produced by The General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin). Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a
single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by
General Dynamics. As of 2015, it is the world's most numerous fixed-wing aircraft
in military service. In its Global fleet, there are 2,242 combat aircraft and
the remainder 242 trainers. Besides use by armed forces of United States, as
many as 25 nations have the aircraft as their mainstay in the air forces.
Maryland,
USA-based aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has now announced that all future
wings of the F16 for the global market, outside of the US, will be built in
India by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL). Manufacturing is scheduled to begin in couple
of years or in late 2020. Lockheed says however that the TASL deal will not
affect the US market, which would be supplied from Lockheed’s American
operations. Times of India has reported that Lockheed has also offered to move
its entire F-16 manufacturing base for global markets to India.
Lockheed
and TASL are already cooperating in two projects. TASL has started
manufacturing Sikorsky S92 Helicopter Cabin Assembly along with manufacture of
detailed parts. TASL is also making for Lockheed
Martin C-130J aircraft, Empennage &
Center Wing-Box Assembly.
TASL is
fast emerging as a major defense manufacturer with several new projects, such
as manufacture of Boeing AH64 Apache Fuselage along with secondary structures, Boeing
CH47 ChinookAft Fuselage Panels and
General Electric LEAP Engines Parts. TASL says that a subsidiary of TASL has
won the tender for supply of 49 mini UAVs to Indian Army having qualified
through a competitive bidding process. It has received the supply order from
Northern Command for its system Aquilon, which is the largest such order for
mini UAVs by Indian Army till date.
6th
September 2018
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