FMS: Australia Seeks Weapons Package for F/A-18E/F Super Hornets

This release replaces a previous news release dated October 4, 2007 (transmittal no. 08-12) because it

contained inaccuracies. WASHINGTON, October 11, 2007 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a

possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of weapons for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft as well as

associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $617

million.

The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of 47 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles, 20 Captive

Air Training Missiles (CATMs), 16 Special Air Training Missiles (NATMs), 4 Tactical WGU-51/B Guidance

Units, 8 CATM-9X WGU-51/B Guidance Units, 50 AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW), 18 AN/ASQ-

228 (V2) Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) Pods, 24 AN/ALQ-214 Radio Frequency

Countermeasures, 90 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS), 32 AN/PVS-9 Night Vision Goggles

(NVG), 16Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT), system integration and testing, software development/integration, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair

parts, publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other

related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $617million.

Australia is an important ally in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic

power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia’s efforts in

peacekeeping and humanitarian operations have made a significant impact to regional political and economic

stability and have served U.S. national security interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives

and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.

Australia recently purchased 24 F/A-18E/F aircraft, notified to Congress under Section 36(b) of the Arms

Export Control Act on 6 February 2007. These weapons systems will be integrated on Australia’s F/A-18E/F

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

The principal contractors will be The Boeing Company, St. Louis, Missouri, General Electric Aircraft Engines,

Lynn, Massachusetts, and Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements

proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this sale will require approximately eight contractor representatives to provide technical and

logistics support in Australia for two years. U.S. Government and contractor representatives will also

participate in program management and technical reviews 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.

Source: Australia - Weapons for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Aircraft (correction)

Resources

ATFLIR - Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared
CATM - Captive Air Training Missile
DSCA - Defense Security Cooperation Agency
FMS - Foreign Military Sale
JHMCS - Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems
JSOW - Joint Stand-Off Weapon
MIDS-LVT - Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal
NATM - Special Air Training Missiles
NVG - Night Vision Goggles

Weapons : AGM-154A JSOW
Weapons : AIM-9X Sidewinder
Components : AN/ALQ-214 IDECM
Components : AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR
Aerospace Forces : F/A-18F Super Hornet
Components : JHMCS

Australia