The State Department approved a possible $400 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to the United Kingdom for continued C-17 logistics support services, and equipment.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale Jan. 23.

C-17. Photo: Air Force.
C-17. Photo: Air Force.

The request includes continued logistics support for eight C-17 aircraft. This includes contract labor for sustainment engineering, on-site COMSEC support, Quality Assurance, support equipment repair, supply chain management, spares replenishment, maintenance, back shop support, centralized maintenance support/associated services, additional spare and repair parts, and publications/technical documentation.

The FMS also includes upgrades of fixed installation satellite antenna, Mode 5+ installation and sustainment, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out, Communications Modernization (CNS/ATM) Phase II, Replacement Heads-Up Display, and three special operations loading ramps.

The primary contractor is Boeing [BA].

The U.K. would use these services to maintain the operational readiness of the Royal Air Force because its current contract supporting their C-17 aircraft will expire in Sept 2017.

Implementation of the sale will requires about an additional three U.S. government and 55 contractor representatives to be assigned to the U.K.