Iraq requests Hellfire and Captive Air Training missiles

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of AGM-114K Hellfire missiles and 114K M36E9 Captive Air Training missiles to the government of Iraq.

The proposed foreign military sale includes 5,000 AGM-114K/N/R/ Hellfire missiles, 10 114K M36E9 Captive Air Training missiles, and supporting equipment and services for an estimated $800 million.

The U.S. Defense and Security Cooperation Agency in its required notification to Congress said the sale will support Iraq's armed forces in their fight against the Islamic State, Sunni militants also identified as Daesh and by the acronyms ISIS and ISIL. The agency added Iraq's forces will have no difficulty using the missiles, citing the Iraq Security Forces already have Hellfire missiles in their arsenal.

The AGM-114 Hellfire is a Lockheed Martin-built air-to-surface missile that can be deployed from both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. It can also be launched from sea and ground platforms.

Lockheed Martin would serve as the principal contractor.