The State Department approved a possible $1 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to the United Kingdom (U.K.) for Certifiable Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, equipment, training, and support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Nov. 16.
The sale request includes up to 26 Certifiable Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (16 with option for additional 10); 12 Advanced Ground Control Stations (GCSs) (eight with option for additional four); four New Launch and Recovery Element GCSs; four Upgrades to existing Blk 15 Launch and Recovery Element GCSs (two with option for additional two); 25 Multi-spectral Targeting Systems (12 + two spares, with option for additional 10 + one spare); 25 AN/APY-8 Lynx IIe Block 20A Synthetic Aperture Radar and Ground Moving Target Indicators (SAR/GMTI) (12+ two spares, with option for additional 10 + one spare); 86 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Guidance Units (EGIs) (three per aircraft) (48 + five spares, with option for additional 30 + three spares).
The FMS also includes communications equipment, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment; weapons installation kits; TPE331-10YGD engines; unique and common spares package; support equipment; U.S. Air Force technical orders; country specific technical orders; Contractor Logistics Support for two (optional three) years; contractor provided aircraft components, spares, and accessories; personnel training; and other related elements of logistical and program support.
The primary contractor is General Atomics.
The U.K. will use the Predator B capability to improve the country’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing improved Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage. This enhances homeland security, promotes increased battlefield situational awareness, augments combat search and rescue (CSAR), and provides ground troop support, DSCA said.
“The Certifiable Predator B will also be used to support the U.K.’s armed forces and coalition forces engaged in current and future peacekeeping, peace-enforcing, counter-insurgent, and counterterrorism operations,” the agency said in a statement.
DSCA highlighted that the U.K. already operates the MQ-9 Reaper so the country will have no issues transitioning to the Certifiable Predator B.
Implementation of the sale does not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to the U.K.