US DoD grants contracts to Textron for Tunisian Air Force T-6C and to Lockheed Martin for Korean Air Force F-16s.

The U.S. Department of Defense on June 30 announced several contracts, among which two concern foreign air forces: Textron Aviation Defense for Tunisian Air Force T-6C training aircraft, and Lockheed Martin for F-16 fighters.

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 The latest T-6C variant will revolutionize Tunisian pilot training and will replace both the SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 for elementary/basic training and the Aero L-39s that are now used in the advanced training role. (Picture source: Textron)

Textron Aviation Defense, Wichita, Kansas, has been awarded a $90,686,042, bilateral modification (PZ0011) to previously awarded FA8617-C-21-6235 for the Tunisia T-6C aircraft procurement effort. The contract modification is for the procurement of eight T-6C aircraft, spare parts, spare engines, aircraft support equipment, FSR support, Ground-Based Training System (GBTS), Operational Flight Trainer (OFT), Computer Based Training Lab (CBT), interim contractor support, personal life support equipment, country-specific technical orders, installation of GBTS, OFT, and CBT, and ferry and support as well as digitization of the FA8617-21-C-6235 undefined contract action. Work will be performed in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2026. This modification involves Foreign Military Sales to Tunisia. Tunisia FMS funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $105,422,012. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $69,362,018 firm-fixed-price contract for F-16 Systems Program Office support. The contractor will provide Korea Peace Bridge Upgrade, Advanced Identification Friend or Foe, and Link 16 upgrade for the Republic of Korea's F-16 partial fleet. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas; Greenville, South Carolina; Edwards Air Force Base, California; and the Republic of Korea, and is expected to be complete by Oct. 31, 2026. This award is the result of a source direction. Foreign Military Sales funds of $69,362,018 are being obligated at the time of the award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8232-22-C-0006).