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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Canada
 
 
US oks $5.23bn FMS from Canada for 18 F/A-18E/F fighter jets
 
The US State Department yesterday approved a $5.23bn Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Canada for 18 F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on its website.
     
US ok 5 23bn FMS from Canada for 18 F A 18E F fighter jet 640 001A US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 demonstrates a fly-by during an air power demonstration for a tiger cruise aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
(Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary P. Wickline)
     
On March 2017, Canada sent a Letter of Request to the U.S. government, in which the Canadian government outlined its requirements on capabilities, schedule and economic benefits for 18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft.

With the FMS approved, Canada could now enter into a formal agreement with the U.S. government for the interim aircraft and associated elements of in-service support as early as the end of 2017 or the beginning of 2018.

According to the DSCA, Canada requested 10 F/A-18E aircraft with F414-GE-400 engines; eight F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, with F414-GE-400 engines; eight F414-GE-400 engine spares; twenty 20 AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars; 20 M61A2 20MM gun systems; 28 AN/ALR-67(V)3 Electronic Warfare Countermeasures Receiving Sets; 15 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods; 20 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems–Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS); 30 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS); 28 AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Countermeasures Systems; 130 LAU-127E/A and or F/A Guided Missile Launchers; twenty-two (22) AN/AYK-29 Distributed Targeting System (DTS); 22 AN/AYK-29 Distributed Targeting Processor (DTP);

The deal includes the following weapons package: 100 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles; 30 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); eight AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II Special Air Training Missiles (NATM); 20 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II Tactical Guidance Units; 16 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II CATM Guidance Units.

Also included in this sale are AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles (NVG); AN/ALE-47 Electronic Warfare Countermeasures Systems; AN/ARC-210 Communication System; AN/APX-111 Combined Interrogator Transponder; AN/ALE-55 Towed Decoys; Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS); AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loader (SKL); Data Transfer Unit (DTU); Accurate Navigation (ANAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation; KIV-78 Duel Channel Encryptor, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF); CADS/PADS; Instrument Landing System (ILS); Aircraft Armament Equipment (AAE); High Speed Video Network (HSVN) Digital Video Recorder (HDVR); Launchers (LAU-115D/A, LAU-116B/A, LAU-118A); as well as other technical assistance and support equipment; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total case value is $5.23 billion.

The principal contractors will be: Boeing Company, St. Louis, MO; Northrop Grumman, Los Angeles, CA; Raytheon, El Segundo, CA; General Electric, Lynn, MA; and Raytheon Missile Systems Company, Tucson, AZ. The Government of Canada has advised that it will negotiate offset agreements with key U.S. contractors.