Saudis Request Super Herks: The Pentagon notified Congress of a $6.7 billion potential sale of 25 Super Hercules transport aircraft to Saudi Arabia, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced last Friday. Saudi Arabia requested the purchase 20 stretched C-130J-30 airlifters as well as five specially configured KC-130J aerial refueling tankers, according to the DSCA’s release. “Saudi Arabia needs these aircraft to sustain its aging fleet, which faces increasing obsolescence,” agency officials stated in the release, Nov. 9. The Saudi air force currently operates legacy Hercules, but acquiring newer J-models “will provide a modern configuration, improve reliability and enhance the Royal Saudi Air Force’s ability to effectively field, support, and employ these aircraft,” they added. Under the proposed Foreign Military Sales deal, Lockheed Martin would supply 20 spare Rolls Royce engines, as well as spares, training, support equipment, and contract technical support, according to the release. (DSCA release)
RTX, parent of Raytheon, Collins and Pratt & Whitney, is getting out of the space prime business and focusing on its "strengths" as a maker of space sensors, buses, and components, company COO Chris Calio said during an earnings call.