
The U.S. Air Force authorized extending the service life of the F-16 to from 8,000 to 12,000 Equivalent Flight Hours, producer Lockheed Martin [LMT] said Wednesday.This authorization came after the company and Air Force completed the F-16 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) structural modifications that allow the Air Force to safely operate block 40-52 aircraft past 2048. Lockheed Martin highlighted it and the Air Force also were able to reduce service life costs for this fleet.The flight hour limit validation…