The US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of its approval of a potential $2 billion mission system upgrade sale for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s airborne warning and control system (AWACS) fleet.
The proposal for the upgrade was delivered on 12 August to Congress, which will now decide whether or not to authorise the sale. The modifications to the Royal Saudi Air Force’s five-strong Boeing 707-derived E-3A Sentry fleet would be provided as a Foreign Military Sale.
Saudi Arabia has requested five Block 40/45 mission computing upgrade systems and 20 UPX-40 next-generation identification friend-or-foe (IFF) systems. Communication equipment, a mission planning system and spares would also be provided, as well as US government and Boeing logistics and technical support services.
Boeing
Saudi Arabia has operated its AWACS fleet since the mid-1980s. During that time the fleet has received several upgrades, including radar and Link 16 datalink modifications. The proposed mission computing upgrades are a continuation of efforts to maintain interoperability with US and coalition forces, the DSCA says.
The modernisation effort would extend the life of the aircraft "for the foreseeable future", while expanding the operational scope of the fleet, including the ability to identify friendly aircraft earlier with the next-generation IFF system.
This proposed upgrade follows an 8 August announcement that Boeing has been contracted to provide a $250 million flightdeck upgrade to NATO’s AWACS fleet.
Engineering, manufacturing and development work for the upgrade had been carried out on one NATO aircraft at the time of the contract award, and flight testing with the modifications is due to commence in the fourth quarter of this year, with the asset to be returned to use in December 2015.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
