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Norway extends F-16 life
Published on Monday, 19th December, 2011 at 09:41
The Norwegian military is continuing its F-16 life extension programme and replacing wings on all of its planes.
Although the cost if the new parts is to remain a secret, the planes are to receive the modification in order to enable them to stay in use. These new wings will increase the lifespan of the planes by 10 years.
The 57 F-16s are expected to be grounded in 2023 with the arrival of the new F-35 aircraft. These will not be delivered until 2018.
“We have already changed the wings on 20-25 of the planes and need to replace the wings on the rest. We do this in order to take better care of the fuselage”, Lieutenant Colonel Jørn Hoelsæther explained to Aftenposten.
This is not the first time that the F-16’s have received an upgrade. The engines were replaced in the 1990’s. Most of the instruments have also been modernised.
“We’ve got a bit of a worn out Golf, a serviceable engine, and the best stereo system,” said the Lt. Col.
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