Saudi Arabia to Purchase ISR Suites and Support in Possible $257 Million Deal

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified U.S. Congress August 9 of of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for ten Link-16 capable data link systems and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) suites and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support at an estimated cost of $257 million.

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has requested a possible sale of ten Link-16 capable data link systems and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) suites for four KSA-provided King Air 350ER aircraft and associated ground support, with an option to procure, via a Foreign Military Sales, an additional four King Air 350ER aircraft with enhanced PT6A-67A engines and spare parts equipped with the same ISR suites. The ISR suites include a Com-Nav Surveillance/Air Traffic Management cockpit, RF-7800M-MP High Frequency Radios with encryption, AN/ARC-210 Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency/Satellite Communication Transceiver Radios with Have Quick II and encryption, a High Speed Data Link, an AN/APX-114/119 Identification Friend or Foe Transponder, Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigations Systems (GPS/INS) with a Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module (SAASM), AN/AAR-60 Infrared Missile Warning and AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures System, Electro-Optical Sensor, SIGINT System, Synthetic Aperture Radar. Also included are Ground Stations, Training Aids, C4I Integration, aircraft modifications, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, aircraft ferry, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $257 million.

This proposed sale of airborne ISR assets to KSA will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The RSAF needs additional ISR capability to provide persistent, real-time route surveillance, facility, infrastructure and border security, counter-terrorism and smuggling interdiction, support for naval and coastal operations, internal defense and search and rescue operations. Currently, the RSAF’s RE-3 aircraft is in depot maintenance and will not be available until after 2015. In the interim, the King AIR 350ER-ISR aircraft will allow the RSAF to perform a portion of the RE-3 mission. All systems will be compatible with and will continue to supplement the capabilities of the RSAF RE-3 aircraft. The KSA will have no difficulties absorbing and using these King Air ISR aircraft.

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

The prime contractors will be L-3 Communications, Mission Integration Division in Greenville, Texas; Hawker Beechcraft in Wichita, Kansas; Raytheon in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland; Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Harris in Rochester, New York; ATK in Ridgecrest, California; BAE Systems in Austin, Texas; and VIASAT in Carlsbad, California. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will involve annual Program Management Reviews in Saudi Arabia. Estimated U.S. participation will include up to six USAF personnel and four contractor personnel for a period of up to six weeks per year. There will be approximately six contractors in Saudi Arabia providing technical assistance on a full-time basis until these systems are delivered and integrated into the operational units. 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 and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Beech King Air 350ER-ISR

-Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) suites to be provided and installed in 4 King Air 350ER aircraft, which the Saudis themselves will provide.
-4 new King Air 350ER ISR planes with enhanced PT6A-67A engines and the same ISR suites pre-installed.
-10 Link-16 capable data link systems and associated ground support.
-Ground Stations for processing the data.
-Plus spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, aircraft delivery, and other forms of U.S. Government and contractor support.
Each ISR suite includes:

-A modern, fully qualified CNS/ATM cockpit.
-RF-7800M-MP High Frequency Radios with encryption.
-AN/ARC-210 VHF/ UHF/ Satellite Communication Transceiver Radios with Have Quick II and encryption.
-A high speed Datalink.
-An AN/APX-114/119 Identification Friend or Foe Transponder.
-Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigations Systems (GPS/INS) with a Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module (SAASM) to make jamming difficult.
-AN/AAR-60 Infrared Missile Warning and AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures defensive systems.
-An unspecified Electro-Optical Sensor.
-An unspecified SIGINT System.
-An unspecified Synthetic Aperture Radar to scan the ground.
-The estimated cost is up to $257 million, but contract prices will depend on successful contract negotiations. As the DSCA puts it:

“The RSAF needs additional ISR capability to provide persistent, real-time route surveillance, facility, infrastructure and border security, counter-terrorism and smuggling interdiction, support for naval and coastal operations, internal defense and search and rescue operations. Currently, the RSAF’s RE-3 aircraft is in depot maintenance and will not be available until after 2015. In the interim, the King AIR 350ER-ISR aircraft will allow the RSAF to perform a portion of the RE-3 mission. All systems will be compatible with and will continue to supplement the capabilities of the RSAF RE-3 aircraft. The KSA will have no difficulties absorbing and using these King Air ISR aircraft.”


Source: WASHINGTON | Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) News - 21 August 2012

Photo: The Saudi Arabian Air Force (RSAF) Beech King Air 350ER-ISR Aircraft (Photo by www.combataircraft.net)

(21.08.2012)