FMS: Switzerland Requests F/A-18C/D Upgrade 25 Program

Released on Tuesday, December 18, 2007

WASHINGTON, December 18, 2007 � The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Switzerland of the F/A-18C/D Upgrade 25 Program as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $535 million.

The Government of Switzerland has requested a possible sale of "Upgrade 25 Program" equipment to enhance survivability and communications connectivity and to extend the useful life of 33 Swiss Air Force (SAF) F/A- 18C/D aircraft. This phase of the F/A-18C/D "Upgrade 25 Program" will include: (20) AN/ASQ-228A(V) Advanced Tactical Forward Looking Infrared Radar (ATFLIR) Pods; (44) AN/ALR-67(V)3 Electronic Warfare Countermeasures Receiving Sets. The proposed sale also includes improvements to the cockpit display systems, image, capture, handling, transmit, and receipt capability, Global Positioning System (GPS), and voice/data/video recording. Aircraft modifications will include integration of the AN/AAQ-228 LITENING Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Pod. Operational support for these modifications will be provided through upgrades to the mission data system through the purchase of the Joint Mission Planning System. Also included: engineering change proposals, system integration and testing, software development, integration, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering support services, and other related elements of logistics and program management support. The estimated cost is $535 million.

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 which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

The Swiss Air Force has extensive experience operating the F/A-18C/D aircraft and should have no difficulty incorporating the upgraded capabilities into its forces. The SAF needs this upgrade to keep pace with high tech advances in sensors, weaponry, and communications.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be:

The Boeing Company, McDonnell Douglas Corporation, of St. Louis, Missouri; Northrop Grumman Corporation of Rolling Meadows, Illinois; Raytheon Corporation of El Segundo, California; Raytheon Corporation of Goleta, California; Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems of Archbald, Pennsylvania

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 in-country. However, it is estimated that 20 U.S. Government and 20 contractor representatives will participate in program management and technical reviews in-country for one-week intervals twice annually.

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; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded