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| U.S. Army photo / Capt. Kyle Abraham, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade |
The Black Hawks will
replace the Australian Army’s multi-role helicopter fleet.
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| The Lockheed Martin company, Sikorsky-built UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter. Credit: DoD photo by Gertrud Zach, U.S. Army. |
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Australia.
The estimated $1.95bn package has been approved by the US State Department.
Australia has requested 40 helicopters, 88 T700-GE 701D engines, 44 AN/AAR-57 counter missile warning systems, 96 H-764U embedded global position systems with inertial navigation, and country unique SAASM, VHF/UHF/LOS SATCOM radios, and other related equipment.
Lockheed Martin has been appointed to serve as the prime contractor for the sale.
The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters will be used to replace the Australian Army’s existing multi-role helicopter fleet.
The platform will allow the service to conduct joint operations.
In a statement, the DSCA said: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific.
“It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability.”
The US Government has also approved a FMS of Ground Command and Control to Morocco.
As part of the estimated $141.1m sale package, Morocco seeks to procure six multifunctional information distribution system joint tactical radio systems, KY-100M narrowband/wideband terminals, KIV-78 and KIV-77 cryptographic appliques, an AN/PYQ-10 simple key loader (SKL), and associated equipment.
The system will enhance the country’s defence capability by providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and target acquisition information to deter existing and future threats, according to the DSCA.
General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Leonardo are the principal contractors.
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