Egypt getting U.S. infrared countermeasures and Sniper advanced targeting pods

The United States has Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of its willingness to approve a possible Foreign Military of a Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) System for Head-of-State Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $104 million to Egypt, and Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $65.6 million.

The Government of Egypt has requested to buy one AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system to protect one Airbus 340-200 Head-of-State aircraft. Each LAIRCM system consists of three Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTA), one LAIRCM System Processor Replacement (LSPR), five Missile Warning Sensors (MWS), one Control Indicator Unit Replacement (CIUR), one Smart Card Assembly (SCA), and one High Capacity Card (HCC/User Data Memory (UDM) card.

According to the notification document, the proposed sale will include: six Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTA) (3 installed, 3 spares); four LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) (1 installed, 3 spares); ten Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) (5 installed, 5 spares). Also included are LAIRCM CIURs; SCAs; HCCs; UDM cards; simple key loaders; initial spares, consumables, and repair/return support; support and test equipment; integration and test support; personnel training, publications and technical documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $104 million.

Northrup Grumman, will be the principal contractor, and the self-protection suite will improve the survivability of the Egyptian Airbus aircraft from missile attack, says the DSCA. Furthermore, the proposed sale is intended to support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of “a Major Non-NATO Ally country that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East.”

Regarding the of Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $65.6 million, the Government of Egypt has requested to buy twenty AN/AAQ-33 Sniper ATPs. Included in the proposed sale are pylons; shipping containers; spare and repair/return parts; ground handling equipment; publications and technical documentation; software and software support; personnel training; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services; and other related elements of program and logistical support. The estimated total program cost is $65.6 million.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX.
The Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing these equipment and capability into its armed forces, and U.S. contractors will be based in Egypt for a period of one year, extendable for another two years to provide operator and maintenance support.