The first four of 24 new Lockheed Martin (LM) advanced Block 52 F-16s produced for the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) have left the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, en route to Morocco.

An arrival ceremony will be held in Morocco later this week.

In June 2008, the United States government awarded LM an Undefinitized Contract Authorization (UCA) for the production of 24 Advanced F-16 Block 52 aircraft for Morocco, making the Kingdom of Morocco the 25th nation to select the F-16.

Morocco will acquire a Block 52 configuration of the F-16C/D aircraft tailored to meet the specific requirements of the RMAF. The sale included the aircraft, mission equipment and a support package provided by Lockheed Martin and other U.S. and international contractors.  

The new aircraft will supplement the RMAF’s existing fleet of fighter aircraft and will contribute to the upgrade and modernization of the RMAF.

LM was then awarded a contract totaling $233.6 million to begin production of 24 aircraft, along with associated support equipment, alternate mission equipment and other support elements for Morocco.

The F-16 provides advanced technology and capability across all missions, and its operations and maintenance costs for the life of the aircraft are the best value available today.  Operating day and night in all environments and weather, the F-16 remains the safest multirole fighter in U.S. Air Force history.  The F-16 will continue to be the backbone of the U.S. Air Force for many years to come, assuring proven support and sustainment throughout the life of Morocco’s F-16 program.