On 11-14 January, a delegation of Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze (Military Aviation Works) No. 2 from Bydgoszcz visited the USA to discuss the issue of building unique competencies in advanced service of F-16 aircraft as part of the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) of the US Air Force (USAF) multi-purpose F-16 aircraft. Obtaining such a high level of competence would be an important step for WZL-2 to become a regional center of competence for the F-16 aircraft.
During the talks conducted in the form of a partnership dialogue, the important role and responsibility of WZL-2 in the implementation and implementation of the program involving F-16s was emphasized. The Bydgoszcz company has resources dedicated to the needs of the program, among others, systematically raising the qualifications and competences of its staff, has the necessary and accessible infrastructure and equipment dedicated to F-16 machines.
The meeting was held at the invitation of the U. S. side and allowed to present Military Aviation Works No. 2 as a partner with optimal potential in the program of the U. S. government implemented by the main contractor, AAR Corporation.
The Management Board hopes that as a result of the talks, it will be possible in the near future to create a kind of service center for F-16 aircraft in Bydgoszcz, the only one in this part of Europe.
– We cannot talk about all the details of the talks, but today I can assure you that the results of the meetings are very promising. It seems that we have taken another step towards becoming a recognized partner of the American company AAR Corporation in the process of servicing F-16 aircraft, not only those belonging to the resources of the Polish Air Force – says Director of the WZL-2 Press Office Mariusz Kończak.
The Bydgoszcz company has been cooperating closely with American partners for a decade. This is related to many projects implemented by WZL-2, including servicing of Polish C-130 and F-16. The beginnings of this cooperation date back to the years 2010-2011. Already today, the company has competencies, among others, in the scope of D-level repairs for landing gear, pneumo-hydraulic and electrical components for the F-16 aircraft, removal of paint coating by the blasting method, complete painting of F-16 and repairs of F-100-PW-229 engine modules.
In April 2021, Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 in Bydgoszcz completed the first 400FH Phase Inspection of the F-16C Block 52+ Advanced multi-purpose aircraft of the Poznań-Krzesiny 31st Tactical Aviation Base.
The location of the service of American F-16 aircraft in Bydgoszcz testifies to the confidence of the American side in WZL-2 and its competences as well as the strengthening of strategic Polish-American partnership relations.
