Contributor - UK

David Donald

In a round of notifications to the U.S. Congress issued on July 6, the State Department has approved the potential sales of aircraft equipment to France (Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye), Indonesia (Bell Boeing MV-22B Block C Osprey) and Lithuania (Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk).

 


France signaled its intentions to buy the E-2D airborne early warning aircraft as a replacement for its current E-2C Hawkeyes in September 2019. The potential sale is estimated at “around $2 billion” and covers three completely equipped aircraft, plus four spare Rolls-Royce T56-427A engines, spare communications systems, and a joint mission planning system. The deal also includes two Common Systems Integration Laboratories, one to be established in France with the other at Northrop Grumman’s facility at Melbourne, Florida, where the Advanced Hawkeyes are manufactured. Engineering and logistics support is included, along with documentation and crew training.

 


France’s Marine Nationale currently has three E-2Cs, of which two are normally assigned to the air wing aboard the navy’s sole aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. The third is normally ashore to acts as a spare and for training. The small fleet is operated by Flottille 4F, based at Lann-Bihoué in Brittany, which stood up to operate the type in 2000. French E-2Cs were employed operationally over Afghanistan and Libya, and were upgraded with NP2000 propellers.

 


Although externally similar, the incoming E-2Ds introduce a new avionics suite with an APY-9 radar that has three electronically-scanned antenna arrays in a rotating rotodome. If the sale proceeds as expected, France will become the second overseas operator of the E-2D, following the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-10-04/more-hawkeye-exports-us-navy-introduces-enhancements">Japan Air Self-Defense Force</a>. The French navy often conducts joint carrier operations with the U.S. Navy, and in 2018 both E-2Cs and Rafale M fighters operated from USS George H.W. Bush while Charles de Gaulle was in dock for a refit.

 


Also with an estimated value of $2 billion is the potential sale of eight MV-22B tiltrotor aircraft&nbsp;and associated equipment to Indonesia. Included is a total of 24 Rolls-Royce AE1107C engines, and the Ospreys would be equipped with AAQ-27 forward-looking infrared, AAR-47 missile warning systems, APR-39 radar warning receiver sets, and ALE-47 chaff/flare dispensers. Planned armament comprises the FN America M240D 7.62mm machine gun and the Browning GAU-21 0.5inch heavy machine gun. A support package is also included. The Ospreys would provide Indonesia’s armed forces with greater defensive reach in the increasingly tense Asia-Pacific region.

 


In recent years Jakarta has increasingly turned to the U.S. for weapons, following the lifting of an arms embargo in the mid-2000s. The air force’s primary fighter is the Lockheed Martin F-16, of which an initial batch of 12 F-16A/Bs was acquired in the mid-1980s. During the embargo, Indonesia turned to Moscow, which supplied a number of Sukhoi Su-27/30s, but in the mid-2010s the air force acquired 24 ex-USAF F-16C/D Block 25s, which were upgraded to near-Block 52 standard prior to delivery.

 


Indonesia had signed to buy <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-02-20/indonesia-places-firm-order-11-su-35-multirole-fighters">11 Sukhoi Su-35s</a>, but this barter deal was terminated in March this year as a result of stalled negotiations with Russia, and political pressure from Washington. The acquisition of more F-16s—probably to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-10-31/indonesia-wants-two-squadrons-f-16-block-72s">F-16V standard</a>—seems likely in the near future.

 


Lithuania’s approved request covers the supply of six UH-60Ms in standard U.S. Government configuration with AAR-57 common missile warning system, FLIR Systems Talon MMS electro-optic turret, and two M240D door guns per aircraft. The country’s small air force currently relies on Soviet-era Mil Mi-8s for its air mobility capability.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

U.S. Approves Hawkeyes for France and Ospreys for Indonesia

The latest round of U.S. State Department approvals of Foreign Military Sales includes a prospective deal to supply MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors to Indonesia.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

City officials and a local university are working with manufacturer Electra 

Helsinki Evaluates Hybrid-electric Flight Connections

Platform offers 100 kilogram payload and 300 nm range 

Zuri Prepares to Fly Hybrid-electric Cargo Drone 

Broker says new aircraft production rates and tax changes are key drivers

Jetcraft Bullish on Preowned Business Aircraft Market

Amy Wilder

Aircraft flew Jacksonville to San Diego nonstop

SyberJet SJ30-2 Sets Unofficial Transcontinental Record

Hanneke Weitering

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

More In Aircraft