The US State Department has approved a possible $2-billion sustainment package for Australia’s F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare (EW) aircraft.
Canberra requested sustainment equipment and services for its Boeing-made Super Hornet and Growler fleet, including 60 Global Lightning – Joint Tactical Terminal – Transceivers, 40 advanced EW systems, and 24 Next Generation Electronic Attack Units.
The foreign military sale also involves AN/PYQ-10C simple key loaders, inline network encryptors, AN/ALE-47 EW countermeasures systems (common carriage), Joint Mission Planning System software, as well as spare and repair parts and related support services.
In addition, it will require 25 US government and 15 contractor representatives to visit the Western Pacific country to oversee the program.
This sustainment package is intended to “improve Australia’s capability to support coalition operations and contribute to mutual security goals in the region.”
In April, Washington also approved a $1-billion sale of up to 200 each of AIM-120C and AIM-120D air-to-air missiles to Canberra, meant for improving aircraft survivability and the country’s overall defense posture.
The Super Hornet and Growler are compatible launching platforms for the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile.
