The State Department approved a possible $225 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) equipment, and logistics support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Feb. 23.
The possible FMS includes eight AN/AAQ-24 (V)N LAIRCM for the UAE’s C-17 aircraft. Major defense equipment (MDE) for the C-17 aircraft configuration for the LAIRCM system includes three Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA), six Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors AN/AAR-54, and one LAIRCM System Processor Replacement (LSPR).
The sale includes spares, raising the MDE total to 37 GLTA AN/AAQ-24 (V)Ns, 19 LSPR AN/AAQ-24 (V)Ns, and 74 UVMWS Sensors AN/AAR-54. Total MDE equipment is valued at nearly $83 million.
Non-MDE items in the sale include Control Indicator Unit Replacements (CIUR), Smart Card Assemblies (SCA), High Capacity Cards (HCC), User Data Modules (UDM), Repeaters, COMSEC Key Loaders, initial spares, consumables, support equipment, technical data, repair and return support, engineering design, Group A and Group B installation, flight test and certification, U.S. government manpower and services, and Field Service Representatives (FSR).
The prime contractor is Boeing [BA] with a main subcontractor Northrop Grumman [NOC].
UAE would use the equipment to provide for the protection of the country’s C-17 fleet, enhancing the safety of UAE airlift aircraft engaging in resupply and humanitarian missions, DSCA said.
“LAIRCM facilitates a more robust capability into areas of increased missile threats” the agency said in a statement.
Implementation of the FMS would require one field service representative to live in the UAE for up to two years as well as multiple temporary trips to the country by U.S. government or contractor representatives over a period of six years for program execution, delivery, technical support, and training.