Wednesday, August 05, 2009

DTN News: US Has Contracted To Supply UAE With 362 HELLFIRE Missiles

DTN News: US Has Contracted To Supply UAE With 362 HELLFIRE Missiles *Source: DTN News / Defense Security Cooperation Agency
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, USA - August 5, 2009: The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on August 4, of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of 362 HELLFIRE Missiles, 15 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) four radar-warning receivers, and related equipment and services. The estimated cost is $526 million. The Hellfire Air-to-Ground Missile System (AGMS) provides heavy anti-armor capability for attack helicopters. The first three generations of HELLFIRE missiles use a laser seeker. The fourth generation, Longbow HELLFIRE, uses a radar frequency seeker. The first generation of Laser HELLFIRE presently is used as the main armament of the U.S. Army's AH-64 Apache and U.S. Marine Corps' AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters. The second generation currently is available for deployment. Laser HELLFIRE homes on a laser spot that can be projected from ground observers, other aircraft, or the launching aircraft itself. This enables the system to be employed in a variety of modes: autonomous, air or ground, direct or indirect, single shot, rapid, or ripple fire. The AGM-114A Basic HELLFIRE tactical missile is the originally designed Hellfire missile, which is no longer purchased by the Army. A total of 31,616 were produced by both Martin Marietta and Rockwell International since 1982. AGM-114As in the inventory are released for live-fire training when they are replaced with AGM-114Cs. The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested a possible sale of 362 AGM-114N3 HELLFIRE Missiles, 15 AAR-57 CMWS, 21 AN/APR-39A (V) four Radar Warning Receivers, eight AN/APX-118 Transponders, 19 AN/PRC-117 Radios, 15 AN/ASN-128D Doppler Radars, six AN/ARC-231 Radios, 15 Data Transfer Modules/Cartridges. Also included are engineering and installation, transportation, engineering change proposals, depot maintenance, communications equipment, repair and return, support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related support elements.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The proposed sale of the weapons will allow the United Arab Emirates to deploy aircraft to materially assist the U.S. in overseas contingency operations. The support equipment will strengthen the effectiveness and interoperability of a potential coalition partner, reduce the dependence on U.S. forces in the region, and enhance any coalition operations the U.S. may undertake. The United Arab Emirates will have no difficulty absorbing this support into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this weapon system will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be: - Science and Engineering Services, Inc (SES-I) Columbia, Md. - British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) Rockville, Md. - L3 Corporation Canton, Mass. - Boeing Aircraft Corporation Mesa, Ariz. - Lockheed Martin Corporation Orlando, Fla - Northrop Grumman Baltimore, Md - Lockheed Martin Systems Integration Owego, N.Y. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the UAE. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

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