Dec 19/07: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Morocco’s formal request for 24 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft as well as associated equipment and services – but not weapons. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $2.4 billion. The proposed sale includes:
- 24 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft with either the F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 Increased Performance Engines (IPE), and APG-68v9 radars;
- 24 Conformal Fuel Tanks (pairs);
- 5 F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 IPE spare engines;
- 4 APG-68v9 spare radar sets;
- 30 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems (CMDS)
- 30 AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receivers (RWR)
- 60 LAU-129/A Launchers;
- 30 LAU-117 Launchers;
- 6 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems;
- 12 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper ATP, or AN/AAQ-28 LITENING advanced surveillance and targeting pods. Even the choice is surprising, as Northrop Grumman’s LITENING was jointly developed with RAFAEL of Israel; DID predicts a Sniper ATP purchase.
- 5 Tactical Air Reconnaissance Systems (TARS) or DB-110 Reconnaissance Pods (RECCE); Goodrich’s DB-110 is already integrated into Poland’s F-16s.
- 4 AN/ARC-238 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) radios with HAVE QUICK I/II;
- 4 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT);
- 2 Link-16 Ground Stations;
- 4 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Embedded GPS/ Inertial Navigation Systems (INS);
- 4 AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Systems;
- 28 AN/ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (AIDEWS); or 28 AN/ALQ-187 Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suites (ASPIS II); or 28 AN/ALQ-178 Self Protection Electronic Warfare Suites (SPEWS)
- 1 Unit Level Trainer
- Associated support equipment, software development/integration, tanker support, ferry services, CAD/PAD, repair and return, modification kits, spares and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
The principal contractors (and some of their key offerings) will be:
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX (F-16 prime)
- Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, TX (Sniper ATP)
- BAE Advanced Systems Greenlawn, New York (Electronic Warfare & IFF)
- Boeing Corporation Seattle, Washington
- Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (three locations) St Louis, MO; Long Beach and San Diego, CA
- Raytheon Company (two locations) Lexington, MA; Goleta, CA
- Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ
- Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems in Garland, TX (LITENING)
- Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems in Baltimore, MD (AN/APG-68v9)
- Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT (F100 engine)
- General Electric Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati, OH (F110 engine)
- Goodrich ISR Systems in Danbury, CT (DB-110)
- L3 Communications in Arlington, TX
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Morocco involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews/support, program management, and training over a period of 15 years.
