WASHINGTON -- U.S. security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin said Tuesday that it will run a new F-16 fighter production line later this year.

The Maryland-based company said its F-16 tooling and equipment has been installed in a newly-refurbished hangar in Greenville, South Carolina. Previously, the related facilities were located in Fort Worth, Texas.

According to the company, the new production line will begin manufacturing the newest F-16 production configuration called "Block 70."

The F-16, commonly known as "Fighting Falcon", is a single engine jet fighter widely used by the United States and countries across the globe, and can carry out both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.

To date, 4,588 F-16s have been produced, and approximately 3,000 operational F-16s are in service in 25 countries, said the company.

Agencies