Lockheed Martin has secured a contract to modernize the Republic of Korea Air Force’s F-16 Block 52 flight simulators, upgrading them to the advanced Viper configuration. The contract involves updating nine simulators located at Seosan and Chungju air bases with new equipment and systems, supported by six years of contractor logistics services.
“Maximum accuracy and realism in ground-based flight training is foundational to pilot safety and mission readiness,” Todd Morar, vice president of air and commercial solutions at Lockheed, said in a statement. He emphasized that the company’s access to proprietary F-16 design and software data allows its training systems to remain aligned with aircraft improvements.
In September, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a $98 million contract for the F-16 training upgrades in South Korea, with work expected to continue through December 2031. At the time of the award, $91.4 million in Foreign Military Sales funds was allocated.
The F-16V configuration features advanced avionics, a modernized cockpit, an active electronically scanned array radar and new weapons systems. With the upgrade, South Korea’s simulators will enable crews to practice missions with a fidelity comparable to operating the latest F-16 Block 70 airframes.
Lockheed Martin has supported South Korea’s defense and civil programs for over 30 years, including more than two decades of F-16 co-production with Korea Aerospace Industries.
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