Lockheed Martin, a global aerospace and defense company, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful flight of the first Slovakian F-16 Block 70 fighter jet. The momentous flight took place on September 29 at 9:30 a.m. EST at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Greenville, South Carolina. Test pilot Ryan ‘Cujo’ Blake led the flight, conducting a series of rigorous system tests to validate the aircraft’s performance and supersonic capabilities.
This achievement marks a major step forward for Slovakia, as it becomes the first European country to receive the advanced F-16 Block 70 aircraft, a testament to the nation’s commitment to enhancing its air defense capabilities. Slovakia is set to receive a total of 14 F-16 Block 70 aircraft as part of this program. The country signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for these aircraft in December 2018, marking its commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities with state-of-the-art fighter aircraft.