Lockheed Martin Facing Possible F-16 Production Gap

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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Lockheed Martin's plant in Fort Worth may soon not have any more F-16 fighter jets to build. The company said Wednesday morning that there could be a possible production gap by late next year.

The gap could hit after the delivery of F-16 planes to Iraq in late 2017. However, the company is working to secure new orders.

Aviation Week, which first reported this story, said that no layoffs are expected. A company vice president explained that the gap should be just temporary. Any mechanics impacted by it should be able to move over and work on F-35 projects.

Lockheed Martin officials said that, even if production stops on the F-16 line for a while, they plan to restart it quickly. This is a much different situation than shutting down a line -- as Lockheed Martin did with the F-22 jets.

In this case, the company is trying to keep parts suppliers and employees ready to go for when a new order is made. Officials added that the new contracts being pursued for the F-16 aircraft could extend production through 2019.