US DSCA Approves $1 Billion Sale Of General Atomics’ Predator B UAVs To UK

The US State Department has approved sale of Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, equipment, training, and support for $1 billion to the United Kingdom.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 16, 2016, DSCA said in a startement Thursday.

The United Kingdom had requested a sale of up to 26 Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (16 with option for additional 10); 12 Advanced Ground Control Stations (GCSs) (8 with option for additional 4); four New Launch and Recovery Element GCSs; four Upgrades to existing Blk 15 Launch and Recovery Element GCSs (2 with option for additional 2); 25 Multi-spectral Targeting Systems (12 + 2 spares, with option for additional 10 + 1 spare); 25 AN/APY-8 Lynx IIe Block 20A Synthetic Aperture Radar and Ground Moving Target Indicators (SAR/GMTI) (12+ 2 spares, with option for additional 10 + 1 spare); 86 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Guidance Units (EGIs) (3 per aircraft) (48 + 5 spares, with option for additional 30 + 3 spares).

This sale also includes communications equipment, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment; weapons installation kits; TPE331-10YGD engines; unique and common spares package; support equipment; U.S. Air Force technical orders; country specific technical orders; Contractor Logistics Support for two (optional three) years; contractor provided aircraft components, spares, and accessories; personnel training; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

The Predator B will also be used to support the UK’s armed forces and coalition forces engaged in current and future peacekeeping, peace-enforcing, counter-insurgent, and counterterrorism operations. The UK already operates armed remotely piloted aircraft, the MQ-9 Reaper, and will have no difficulty transitioning to the Certifiable Predator B.

The principal contractors will be General Atomics.