US Approves $141 Million Infrared Counter-measures Sale For South Korean Airbus A330 MRTTs

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved sale of Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) System, equipment, training, and support for an estimated cost is $141 million to the Republic of Korea.

The DSCA delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 16, 2016.

The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has requested the sale and installation of AN/AAQ- 24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems for up to four A-330 Multi-Role Tanker and Transport (MRTT) aircraft.

Each LAIRCM system consists of the following major defense equipment (MDE): three Guardian Laser Terminal Assemblies (GLTA), six Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors AN/AAR-54, one LAIRCM System Processor Replacement (LSPR), one Control Indicator Unit Replacement (CIUR), one Smart Card Assembly (SCA), one High Capacity Card (HCC), and User Data Memory (UDM) card. The sale includes spares bringing the MDE total to twenty-six (26) GLTAs, 12 LSPRs, and 54 UVMWS Sensors AN/AAR-54.

The sale also includes the following non-MDE items: CIURs, SCAs, HHCs, UDM Cards, initial spares and repair parts, consumables, support equipment, technical data, engineering change proposals, minor modifications, publications, Field Service Representatives' (FSRs), repair and return, depot maintenance, training and training equipment, contractor technical and logistics personnel services, U.S. Government and contractor representative support, Group A and B installation support, flight test and certification, selective availability anti-spoofing module (SAASM) Global Positioning System, and other related elements of logistics support.

This sale includes provisions for one FSR to live in Korea for up to two years. Implementation of this proposed sale requires multiple temporary trips to Korea involving U.S. Government or contractor representatives over a period of up to six years for program execution, delivery, technical support, and training.

The principal contractor is Northrop Grumman Corporation.