The State Department approved a possible $462 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) request to Lebanon for six A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on June 5.
The primary contractors would be Sierra Nevada Corp. [SNC], BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney of United Technologies Corp. [UTX], Terma A/S, and L-3 Communications [LLL].
The requested FMS would include six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, eight PT6A-68A Turboprop engines (six installed and two spares), eight ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensing Systems, 2000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems, eight AN/AAR-60(V)2 Missile Launch Detection Systems, and non-SAASM Embedded Global Positioning System/Initial Navigation System (EGIs).
The sale would also include spare and repair parts, flight testing, maintenance support, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, ferry support, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
Lebanon would use the aircraft for Close Air Support (CAS) to meet challenges posed by internal and border security threats, DSCA said.
Implementation of the FMS would not require U.S. government or contractor personnel to be posted to Lebanon, but periodic travel would be required on a temporary basis for program reviews and technical support.
The A-29 Super Tucano is produced by Embraer [ERJ].