BAE Systems Inc. plans to hire about 300 workers, many at its Fort Worth facility, to support upgrades on 130 F-16 aircraft via an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the U.S. government.
The Arlington, Va.-based company, the U.S. subsidiary of British-based BAE Systems plc, is beginning the first phase of the work under contract through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Foreign Military Sales program. While no price for the contract was released, The Guardian newspaper reports the contract is valued at about $1 billion.
“This agreement marks a significant expansion of our F-16 modernization business, and we’re eager to get to work,” said Erin Moseley, president of BAE Systems’ Support Solutions sector in a news release. “When we were chosen by the Republic of Korea last year, it showed that we are a viable and experienced provider of fighter jet upgrades and systems integration. As demonstrated by today’s important milestone, we offer cost-effective modernization solutions, customized to meet any country’s requirements.”
Under terms negotiated by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, BAE Systems will upgrade 130-plus KF-16C/D Block 52 aircraft, with computers, displays, sensors and weapons and associated equipment, training, and logistical support. Phase one of the work will begin immediately and will involve the initial design and development of the upgrade solution. Phase two of the work would begin next year and would complete the production and installation of the upgrade kits in all of the aircraft over the next several years. The work to upgrade the KF-16 fleet will be performed primarily at BAE Systems’ facility in Fort Worth, but other company sites in Florida, New York, California, and Virginia will also be involved. – Robert Francis