The State Department approved a possible $3 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) request to Japan for V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Tuesday.
The primary contractors would be Bell Helicopter [TXT] and Boeing [BA].
The requested FMS would include 17 V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft, 40 AE1107C Rolls- Royce Engines, 40 AN/AAQ-27 Forward Looking InfraRed Radars, 40 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 40 AN/APR-39 Radar Warning Receivers, 40 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Systems, 40 AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe Systems, 40 AN/APN-194 Radar Altimeters, 40 AN/ARN-147 VHF Omni-directional Range (VOR) Instrument Landing System (ILS) Beacon Navigation Systems, 40 629F-23 Multi-Band Radios (Non-COMSEC), 40 AN/ASN-163 Miniature Airborne Global Positioning System (GPS) Receivers (MAGR), 40 AN/ARN-153 Tactical Airborne Navigation Systems, 80 Night Vision Goggles, Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) with unique planning components, and publications and technical documentation.
The sale would also include aircraft spares and repair parts, repair and return, aircraft ferry services, tanker support, support and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, software, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, logistics and technical support services, and other elements of technical and program support.
Japan would use the aircraft to better support its defense and special mission needs as it modernizes its transport fleet, DSCA said. “The proposed sale of V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft will greatly enhance the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations”
The sale would also promote burden sharing and interoperability with U.S. forces.
Implementation of the FMS would require additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to travel to Japan on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight.