State Department approves possible $2 billion KC-46 tanker sale to Japan

The State Department has approved a proposed $2 billion foreign military sale to Japan of four Boeing KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency notice.

"The Government of Japan requested the sale of four (4) KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft," the Sept. 21 notice states. "Each aircraft is powered by two (2) Pratt &Whitney Model 4062 (PW4062) Turbofan engines. The sale includes one (1) additional spare PW4062 engine. Each aircraft will be delivered with GPS capability and defensive systems installed plus spares, to include: Raytheon's ALR-69A Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Raytheon's Miniaturized Airborne GPS Receiver (MAGR) 2000 (2K) to provide GPS Selective Availability AntiSpoofing Module SAASM capability, and Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system. Each LAIRCM system consists of the following components: three (3) Guardian Laser Terminal Assemblies (GLTA), six (6) Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors AN/AAR-54, one (1) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR), one (1) Control Indicator Unit Replacement, one (1) Smart Card Assembly, and one (1) High Capacity Card."

The proposed sale "increases Japan's capability to participate in Pacific region security operations and improves Japan's national security posture as a key U.S. ally," the DSCA statement reads, adding: "This proposed sale will provide Japan a needed capability to a close ally and support U.S. security interests in the region."