US approves US$4.92b AEW&C aircraft sale to S. Korea
THE Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the State Department’s approval of a possible sale of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft along with accompanying equipment to South Korea.
The potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) for four Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, 10 CFM56 engines and other equipment that South Korea requested to procure is estimated to cost US$4.92 billion.
A DSCA release read, “the Republic of Korea (ROK) has requested to buy four (4) E-7 AEW&C aircraft; ten (10) CFM56 jet engines (8 installed, 2 spares); seven (7) Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) (4 installed, 3 spares); eight (8) AN/AAR-57 AN/AAQ 24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) System Processor Replacements (LSPR) (4 installed, 4 spares); ten (10) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) – or M-Code receiver (8 installed, 2 spares); and six (6) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems with Tactical Targeting Network Technology (MIDS JTRS TTNT) (4 installed, 2 spares). The following non-MDE items will also be included: AN/ARC-210 radios; digital radar warning receivers; AN/ALE-47 electronic countermeasure dispensers; LAIRCM control interface units; missile warning sensors; AN/APX-119 identification friend or foe (IFF) transponders; KY100M narrowband/wideband terminals; KIV-77 Mode 4/5 IFF cryptographic appliqué; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; KG-175 Link encryptors; communications security (COMSEC) cables and other COMSEC devices and equipment; communications equipment; precision navigation; Computer Program Identification Numbers (CPINS); user data module cards; testing and test equipment; major and minor modifications and maintenance support; aircraft components, parts, and accessories; training aids and devices, and spare parts; instruments and lab equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; aircraft ferry and transportation support; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support”.
“This proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and airborne early warning and control capabilities. It will also increase the ROK Air Force’s command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) interoperability with the United States. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces”.
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) currently operates four units of the aircraft, while the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and Turkish Air Force also operate the platform. -shp/adj/dl (Pix:BOEING)