The State Department has approved a possible $62 million deal with Oman to support operational flight profile software upgrades for its F-16 fleet.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on Friday of the foreign military sale (FMS), which also includes Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) command and control systems updates and Mode 5 secure communications equipment.

An F-16V. (Lockheed Martin photo)
An F-16V. (Lockheed Martin photo)

“The proposed sale allows the U.S. military to support the Royal Air Force of Oman, further strengthen the U.S.-Omani military-to-military relationship, and ensure continued interoperability of forces and opportunities for bilateral training and exercises with Oman’s military forces,” the DSCA said in a statement.

Oman has also requested 29 KIV-78 cryptographic/timing modules, 29 KY-100M cryptographic radio encryptors, 29 AN/APX-126 Combined Interrogator Transponders, and Classified and Unclassified Computer Program Identification Numbers (CPINS) upgrades.

The upgrades will enable Oman’s 23 F-16s to upgrade its Mode 4 IFF systems to be interoperable on Mode 5. The enhanced IFF allows Oman to conduct complimentary air operations with partner forces.

The prime contractor for the deal is Lockheed Martin [LMT] in Fort Worth, Texas.