Greek F-16D, F-16C
(click to view full)

DID covered the F-16’s shootdown of Greece’s $6 billion Eurofighter contract. Now that sale has taken the next step, as Greece has submitted its order for the aircraft and ancillary electronics, spares, and weapons. DID readers may find it interesting to compare this list to a similar list DID has covered re: Turkey’s May 2005 F-16 upgrade program.

On October 25, 2005, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified Congress [PDF format] of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Greece of 40 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. That sale continues to move forward, item by item; the total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $3.1 billion. The latest component is a decision concerning reconnaissance pods. Greece’s full order request now features….

• 40 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft with F100-PW-229 engines and APG-68(V)9 radars (it will now be 30 planes – 20 single-seat Block 50s and 10 2-seat Block 52s);
• 42 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS – see DID coverage);
• 40 AN/AVS-9 Generation III Aviation Night Vision Goggles;
• 190 LAU-129/A Launchers;
• 48 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT, see DID coverage of MIDS & Link 16);
• 3 Link-16 Ground Stations;
• 10 LANTIRN Targeting pods (previous-generation equipment – many air forces now use LITENING pods, Sniper XR, or ATFLIR);
• 11 Reconnaissance pods (they turned out to be Goodrich DB-110s, with…);
• 2 Reconnaissance Ground Stations;
• 40 APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems;
• 43 AN/ALQ-187 Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suites;
• 6 spare F100-PW-229 engines;
• 3 APG-68(V)9 spare radar sets;
• 4 AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapons (see DID coverage of JSOW);
• 6 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM with 3 BLU-10 and 3 MK-84 bomb bodies);
• 4 Wind Compensated Munitions Dispenser (GPS/INS-guided cluster bombs);

The request also covers associated support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, capability to employ a wide variety of munitions, spares and repair parts, flight test instrumentation, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related support requirements.

The estimated cost is $3.1 billion.

The DSCA reports that this modernization will be provided in accordance with, and subject to the limitation on use and transfer provided under the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, and as embodied in the Letter of Offer and Acceptance. They also take care to note that this proposed sale will not adversely affect either the military balance in the region, or U.S. efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus questions.

The principal contractors will be:

• BAE Advanced Systems, Greenlawn, NY
• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, TX
• Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, FL
• L3 Communications, Arlington, TX
• Boeing Corporation (McDonald Douglas Corporation), St. Louis, MO
• Raytheon Electronic Warfare Systems Company, Goleta, CA
• Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, AZ
• Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems, Garland, TX
• Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems, Baltimore, MD
• Pratt & Whitney United Technology Company, East Hartford, CT

Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected. They are undetermined at this time but will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractors.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Greece.

Contracts and Ancillary Developments

Greek F-16D Block 52s
(via EPA: click to view full)

May 8/07: Goodrich will provide 2 reconnaissance pods, a ground exploitation system and aircraft integration in an initial order from the HAF. The DB-110 collects and transmits digital, real-time images from its electro-optical sensors, and will give the HAF a long-range, high-resolution, stand off imaging capability to support tactical operations. The on-board system can be operated autonomously, with the DB-110 being controlled by the pod’s reconnaissance management system. Imagery is viewed on the F-16’s cockpit video display, enabling the pilot to verify targets and conduct tasks such as battle damage assessment. The real-time display also gives the aircrew the ability to seek out targets of opportunity or select a different route to a selected target. Images can also be transmitted to analysts on the ground in real time for immediate exploitation and analysis. The DB-110 currently has orders from Poland for its F-16 C/Ds, and Japan for its P-3 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Goodrich’s Chelmsford, Massachusetts-based facility will be manufacturing and delivering the DB-110 airborne reconnaissance pods. Ground exploitation systems will be built in Goodrich’s facility in Malvern, Worcestershire, U.K. Both sites are part of the company’s ISR Systems division. Goodrich release.

Dec 21/06: Lockheed Martin Corp. in Fort Worth, TX received a $931.3 million firm-fixed-price and time and materials contract modification. This action provides for 20 operational single place F-16C Block 50 aircraft and 10 operational two place F-16D Block 52 aircraft under the Peace Xenia IV (Greece) program. This buy will be accomplished under the firm-fixed price portion of the contract; the basic undefinitized contract action was awarded for the long lead requirements only. This modification increases the undefinitized contract action to include all requirements for the production program. At this time, $485.3 million have been obligated. The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8615-06-C-6003/P00008).

Dec 8/06: The US DSCA notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Greece of F-16C/D precision munitions, as well as associated equipment and services. The total value off this additional sale, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $104 million for JSOW, JDAM, WCMD, and Enhanced Paveway precision strike weapons. See full DID coverage.

Oct 5/06: Data Link Solutions in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $6.2 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This contract is for the government of Greece (100%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by April 2009. This delivery order was competitively procured, with synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site and 3 offers received via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems E-commerce web site. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, CA issued the contract (N00039-00-D-2100).

July 2006: Greece makes its long-term spending plans clearer. They will not pick up an option for 10 F-16s, limiting their order to 30. At the same time, any purchase of alternative aircraft was put off beyond the 2011 time frame. See full DID coverage.

July 21/06: Raytheon Co. in Goleta, CA received a $96 million firm-fixed-price, time and materials contract for the foreign military sales of the advanced self protection integrated suite to the country of Greece. This electronic warfare system will be used on the F-16 aircraft being procured under a separate acquisition by the F-16 program office. Associated spares, support equipment, engineering services, flight test support and data are also being acquired under this contract. Solicitations began March 2006, negotiations were complete July 2006, and work will be complete April 2009. The Headquarters Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, GA issued the contract (FA8253-06-C-0027). See full DID coverage.

Feb 13/06: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Ft Worth, TX received a $99.7 million firm fixed price & time and materials contract. The procurement of 20 operational F-16C Block 50 aircraft and 10 operational two-seat F-16D Block 52 aircraft will be accomplished under the firm fixed portion of the contract. At this time $29.2 million has been obligated. Work will be complete by March 2010. The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8615-06-C-6003).

Jan 31/06: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in Linthicum Heights, MD receioved a $63.9 million firm fixed price contract for procurement of 33 AN/APG-68(V)9 Radar Systems. At this time, $31.7 million has been obligated. Work will be complete by March 2010. The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8615-06-C-6048).