Korean Air to provide service life extension work for USAF F-16 jets

Korean Air will deliver service life extension and depot level maintenance for US Forces in Korea and Japan’s F-16 fighter jets. Credit: Korean Air.

The US Department of Defense has awarded a KRW290bn ($261.9m) contract to Korean Air for service life extension and depot level maintenance of F-16 fighter jets.

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Work will be performed on jets that are deployed to the US Forces in Korea and Japan for a ten-year period commencing this month.

The programme will involve the highest level of aircraft maintenance, which includes reliability verification of the main parts of the fuselage and wings of the F-16 fighter jets.

It also includes disassembly, inspection and corrosion prevention processes to boost the lifespan of the aircraft and main structures replacement.

This is expected to allow the aircraft to operate for an additional 4,000 hours.

The USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon is a fighter jet that is equipped with a turbofan engine and close-range air combat capabilities.

Since 1978, the company has delivered depot maintenance for the US military and conducted depot maintenance and performance improvement for aircraft, fighter jets and helicopters.

In a statement, Korean Air said: “Korean Air’s new contract will further enhance the reputation and credibility of the airline’s aircraft production and maintenance capabilities.

“Moreover, the contract will help Korean Air to expand its business in military aircraft modification and other maintenance projects.”

Earlier this month, the USAF deployed the F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 480th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany to the Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.