Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1493095
WZL 2: SLEP BEGINS FOR THE US F-16C/D FIGHTING FALCONS NOVEMBER 14TH 2022 HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT DATE FOR THE WZL NR 2 SA FACILITY IN BYDGOSZCZ. STORY BY: Borys Kulka PHOTO: Borys Kulka On that date, a formal ceremony took place, related to the transfer of the frst Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon MRCA that would undergo the SLEP (Service Life Extension Program) overhaul. The above refers to a USAF jet. The ceremony mentioned above results on the ground of the conclusion of a long-term, multi-lateral agreement by and between the US State Department, and the AAR Government Services Inc. company that, meanwhile, partnered up with the WZL Nr 2 S.A. [WZL stands for Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze, Military Aviation Works] facility - a part of the PGZ Group. The Polish participation in the project has been divided into two phases, each of which is fve years long, whereas the second fve years (until 2032) are said to be optional. Ultimately, the whole upgrade program regarding the USAFE F-16C/D fleet could cost even up to USD 365 million. The long-term contract remains valid until late 2032. Apart from the US- based entity, and the Polish company, the consortium also involves businesses seated in other European states. The US military currently has three F-16C/D Fighting Falcon squadrons in Europe - these units are stationed in Aviano (Italy), and Spangdahlem (Germany). The November event was accompanied by the frst F-16C Fighting Falcon jet that undergoes a major overhaul at the facility in Bydgoszcz - the above refers to the jet with a reg. no. 89-2035, received by USAF in August 1990. Back in March 2022, it was damaged when landing at Aviano AB in Italy. It was transported to Bydgoszcz via the road network. Up until now the experts at WZL Nr 2 managed to remove the paint coat at the Plastic Media Blasting hall, erected within the framework of a programme aimed at the establishment of local capabilities and competency in maintaining the F-16s - this happened a decade ago. The airframe structure was also inspected. Another F-16C with the 91-0360 registration number landed at EPBY, arriving from the Spangdahlem AB back in November. Here we are dealing with an airframe that was delivered to USAF in May 1993. The said aircraft took part in combat operations over Afghanistan (Enduring Freedom), Libya (Odyssey Dawn), and Iraq and Syria (Inherent Resolve). The third F-16 airframe, when this article was being written, was to be delivered to Bydgoszcz in December. It cannot be ruled out that the cooperation launched would result in further, interesting projects, given the fact that the maintenance potential regarding the F-16 jets in Western Europe is getting diminished, as the design is becoming more and more popular among the CEE user group. One should remember that F-16s are also operated by Poland (48 examples of Block 52+ Advanced airframes, expected to receive V MLU package soon), Romania (17 examples of F-16AM/BM jets, and 32 ex-Norwegian F-16AM/BM aircraft). F-16 Block 70/72s have also been ordered by Slovakia and Bulgaria. One cannot rule out a situation in which the regional user group is expanded even further. AVIATON