The State Department approved a possible $1.75 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to Norway for P-8A Poseidon Aircraft and associated support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sales on Dec. 20.

The FMS of up to five P-8A Patrol Aircraft with each including Commercial Engines, Tactical Open Mission Software (TOMS), Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IO) MX-20HD, AN/AAQ-2(V)1 Acoustic System, AN/APY-10 Radar, ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures.

Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. Photo. U.S. Navy
Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. Photo. U.S. Navy

It also includes 11 Multifunctional Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS JTRS); eight Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N; eight System Processors for AN/AAQ-24(V)N; 42 AN/AAR- 54 Missile Warning Sensors for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N; 14 LN-251 with Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs); and 2,000 AN/SSQ-125 Multi-Static Active Coherent (MAC) Source Sonobouys.

Associated equipment in the sale also contains spares; spare engine; support equipment; operational support systems; training; maintenance trainer/classrooms; publications; software; engineering and logistics technical assistance; Foreign Liaison Officer support; contractor engineering technical services; repair and return; transportation; aircraft ferry; and other associated training and support.

The primary contractor is Boeing [BA] while additional contractors include Air Cruisers Co, LLC; Arnprior Aerospace; AVOX Zodiac Aerospace; BAE Systems; Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)/EMS; Compass David Clark; DLS/ViaSat [VSAT]; DRS; Exelis [XLS]; GC Micro; General Electric [GE]; Harris Corp. [HRS]; Joint Electronics; Martin Baker; Northrop Grumman Corp. [NOC]; Pole Zero; Raytheon [RTN]; Rockwell Collins [COL]; Spirit Aero [SPR]; Symmetries Telephonies; Terma; Viking; and the WESCAM unit of L-3 Communications [LLL].

DSCA highlighted Norway requires an offset agreement, but it will be defined in future negotiations between the purchaser and prime contractor.

Norway will use the sale to recapitalize, modernize, sustain, and maintain its Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) capability after it retires its set of P-3C MPAs.

DSCA said in a statement that the sale “will strengthen collective NATO defense and enhance Norway’s regional and global allied contributions.”

Norway has previously procured and operated P-3 Orion MPAs for over four decades, maintaining a close acquisition and sustainment relationship with the U.S. Navy, the agency said. The P-3 is built by Lockheed Martin [LMT].

Implementation of the sale will require about five contractor personnel to support the program in Norway, DSCA said.