The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a $1.9bn potential sale of KC-46A aerial refuelling aircraft to Japan.

Under the sale, Japan has requested four KC-46A aircraft, as well as related equipment, training, and support.

The sale will also cover one additional spare PW4062 engine for the tanker aircraft.

Each aircraft will be delivered with GPS capability and defensive systems installed, as well as spares, such as Raytheon's ALR-69A radar warning receiver (RWR), Raytheon's miniaturised airborne GPS receiver (MAGR) 2000 (2K) and Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-24(V) large aircraft infrared countermeasures (LAIRCM) system.

Each LAIRCM system has three Guardian laser terminal assemblies (GLTA), six ultra-violet missile warning system (UVMWS) sensors AN/AAR-54, one LAIRCM system processor replacements (LSPR), a control indicator unit replacement, smart card assembly, and a high-capacity card.

Japan has also requested twelve AN/ARC-210 UHF radios, six APX-119 identification friend or foe (IFF) transponders, initial spares and repair parts, consumables, support equipment, technical data, engineering change proposals, publications and Field ServiceRepresentatives (FSRs).

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The procurement will increase the country's capability to participate in Pacific region security operations and improves its national security posture as a key US ally.

"The procurement will increase the country's capability to participate in Pacific region security operations and improves its national security posture as a key US ally."

Boeing Corporation will serve as the principal contractor for the sale.

Powered by two Pratt &Whitney Model 4062 (PW4062) Turbofan engines, the KC-46A is a multirole tanker that can refuel all US, allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refuelling procedures.

It can detect and defeat threats using multiple layers of protection and carry passengers, cargo and patients.


Image: Boeing KC-46A prototype in flight. Photo: courtesy of Ken Fielding.