Home Air US approves $70m Tactical Combat Training System sale to UK

RAF F-35 jets train with USAF Stealth Bombers — A United States Air Force B2 Spirit, currently deployed to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, flies above the English countryside near Dover with two RAF F-35 jets. For the first time, Royal Air Force F-35 Lightning jets have been conducting integration flying training with the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers of the United States Air Force as part of their deployment to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK. The USAF deployment of the B-2s from the Bomber Task Force Europe is long-planned. Whilst deployed to the UK the aircraft will conduct a series of training activities in Europe. During this deployment, RAF F-35B Lightning fighters are conducting sorties with the USAF B-2 bombers. Both are 5th generation aircraft and this is the first time that USAF B-2s have trained with non-US F-35s. RAF Fairford routinely hosts deployments and exercises by US strategic aircraft. These regular deployments reinforce the US Air Force Europe and the Royal Air Forces unique and complementary partnership and our collective contribution to NATO. Imagery captured by a USAF Exchange Pilot.

US approves $70m Tactical Combat Training System sale to UK

November 28, 2024

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $70 million Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom for forty-six Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS II) units.

According to a press release issued on November 18, 2024, the proposed sale includes TCTS II systems along with containers, integration and test support, spare and repair parts, technical publications, personnel training and training equipment, and additional logistics and program support.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of this proposed sale.

The State Department made clear the strategic value of the sale, stating: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a key NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”

The integration of TCTS II systems will improve live, virtual, and constructive combat training for the Royal Air Force (RAF), bolstering interoperability between the U.S. and UK during operational training. The State Department added: “The United Kingdom will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”

The sale, handled by Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Leonardo DRS Systems in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, will not “disrupt the military balance in the region or affect U.S. defence readiness”. Additionally, the implementation of this deal will not require U.S. personnel to be stationed in the UK, and no offset agreements are associated with the transaction.

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