The Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $835 million contract for 18 F-16 Block 52 aircraft for the Iraqi air force, announced the Defense Department on Monday. Under a foreign military sales arrangement, Iraq will receive 12 F-16Cs and six two-seat F-16Ds to reconstitute its fledgling air arm’s fighter force. The first Iraqi F-16 pilots already are undergoing training in the United States. Arrival of the first Iraqi F-16 is not expected before late 2013, USAF officials have said. Lockheed, which builds the F-16 in Fort Worth, Tex., also will provide support equipment and logistics support under the terms of this contract. Iraqi officials have said they are interested in up to 36 F-16s. (Monday’s list of major DOD contracts)
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.