WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Data link systems and ISR suites for use on King Air 350ER aircraft are being sought from the United States by Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said sale of the 10 Link-16 capable data link systems and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, along with associated equipment, is worth an estimated $257 million.
"The Royal Saudi Air Force needs additional ISR capability to provide persistent, real-time route surveillance, facility, infrastructure and border security, counter-terrorism and smuggling interdiction, support for naval and coastal operations, internal defense and search and rescue operations." The agency said in its notification to Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sales.
"Currently, the RSAF's RE-3 aircraft is in depot maintenance and will not be available until after 2015. In the interim, the King AIR 350ER-ISR aircraft will allow the RSAF to perform a portion of the RE-3 mission."
Prime contractors for the deal would be L-3 Communications, Hawker Beechcraft, Raytheon and Rockwell Collins, Harris Corp., ATK, BAE Systems and VIASAT.
