A possible $1.5 billion deal for the purchase of up to five specially equipped Gulfstream G550 aircraft by Australia has won U.S. State Department approval.
The G550s, obtained through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, would be equipped with airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare mission systems.
According to the U.S. Defense Cooperation Security Agency, which managers the FMS program, the proosed sale would also include secure communications, aircraft defensive systems; spares, aircraft modification and integration; ground systems for data processing and crew training; ground support equipment; and logistics.
"Australia is an important major non-NATO ally and partner that contributes significantly to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world," DCSA told Congress in its required FMS notification. "It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability."
The principal contractors for the sales package would be L3 of Greenville, Texas.
Another approach to developing flying cars
Being able to both walk and take flight is typical in nature – many birds, insects, and other animals can do both. If we could program robots with similar versatility, it would open up many possibilities: Imagine machines that could fly into construction areas or disaster zones that aren't near roads and then squeeze through tight spaces on the ground to transport objects or rescue people.
