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The Brazilian government has requested 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters under a possible US foreign military sale approved by the US State Department.
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The US Congress was notified of the possible sale by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 24 May. The helicopters, logistics, and program support are worth an estimated $950 million, including initial acquisition of $450 million in major defence equipment, and up to $500 million in other equipment and services.
Under the deal, Brazil would receive 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, 34 T700-GE-701D engines, 28 EAGLE-M Embedded Global Position Systems with inertial navigation or functional equivalent, 24 AN/ARC-231A radio systems, AN/PYQ-10 simple key loader, KIV-77 common identification friend or roe crypto appliques, APX-123A identification friend or foe transponders, AN/ARC-231 radio systems, ARC-201D Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System, ARC-220 high frequency airborne communication systems or functional equivalents with KY-100M, VRC-100 advanced high frequency ground/vehicular communications systems, ARN-147 navigation receivers, and ARN-149 low frequency automatic direction finders.
It also includes ARN-153 advanced digital tactical airborne navigation receiver-transmitters, APN-209 radar altimeter systems, AN/ARC-210 Gen 6 very high frequency/frequency modulation radios, AN/AVR-2B(V) laser warning systems (provisions only); Airspace Concept Evaluation System, M-134D-H minigun, mount, power supply, and ammunition handling systems gun and mount accessories package, contractor-provided gun and mount accessories, including spare parts, in support of the M-134D-H minigun systems, Aviation Mission Planning System, aviation ground support equipment, HGU-56/P rotary wing helmets, advanced sight display computers, common display interface units, wide color day display module, wide color night display module, ADS-B Out ability, integrated area navigation, RDR-7000 weather radar systems, external rescue hoists, Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems.
In addition, the deal also covers Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System, EBC-406HM emergency locator transmitters, aircrew combat equipment, Internal Auxiliary Fuel Tank System, technical assistance and logistics support services, publications and other related elements of logistics and program support.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important regional partner that is a force for political stability and economic progress in South America,” according to a statement published by the DSCA.
“This proposed sale of UH-60 helicopters will increase Brazil’s capability to provide troop transport, border security, medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue, and peacekeeping support. This proposed sale will also promote the US and Brazil’s goal of greater military interoperability. Brazil will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin and implementation of the proposed sale would require approximately 15 to 30 US government and/or contractor representatives to travel to Brazil.
