Pentagon authorizes sale of Maverick missiles to equip Indonesian F-16 jet fighter-bombers
WASHINGTON, 26 Aug. 2012. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is authorizing the potential sale of 18 Raytheon AGM-65K2 Maverick air-to-ground missiles to the government of Indonesia for an estimated $25 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) reported this month.
The sale of the Maverick all-up-round missiles, which are to equip the Indonesian air force's Lockheed Martin F-16 jet fighter-bombers, includes related equipment, parts, training and logistical support. The DSCA works with the governments of U.S. allies help build military forces friendly to the United States throughout the world.
The AGM-65 Maverick, built by the Raytheon Co. Missile Systems segment in Tucson, Ariz., is a precision-attack munition for air, naval and marine forces in more than 33 countries, and is certified for more than 25 aircraft, including helicopters, fighters, bombers, and patrol aircraft.
More than 69,000 Maverick missiles have been produced, and more than 6,000 have been used in combat, with a 93 percent kill rate, Raytheon officials say.
The government of Indonesia asked DOD to authorize a possible sale of 18 AGM-65K2 Maverick Missiles, 36 TGM-65K2 captive air training missiles, three TGM-65D maintenance training missiles, spare and repair parts, support equipment, tool and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services and other support.
Indonesia needs these missiles to train its F-16 pilots to fire air-to-ground missiles from the Indonesian air force's fleet of 10 F-16s, as well as the 24 F-16s being provided as excess defense articles, DSCA officials say.
The proposed sale will foster continued cooperation between the U.S. and Indonesia, making Indonesia a more valuable regional partner in an important area of the world, DSCA officials say.
Configurations of the Maverick air-to-ground missile are based on three seekers — television, infrared and laser — and two warhead sizes, Raytheon officials say.
Maverick guidance software provides accuracy against fixed high-value targets, high-speed moving and maneuvering armored vehicles, ships and fast boats, and targets of opportunity. The guidance system also enables man-in-the-loop lock-on before launch.
For more information contact Raytheon Missile Systems online at www.raytheon.com/businesses/rms, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency at www.dsca.mil, or the Indonesian air force at http://tni-au.mil.id.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
