Congress notified of possible helo sale to Brazil

The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Brazil under a deal worth $145 million.

Brazil would reportedly use the aircraft -- three in all -- for search-and-rescue missions and for bolstering the country's internal security capabilities.

"This procurement will upgrade its air mobility capability and provide for the defense of vital installations and close air support for ground forces," the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in its required notification to Congress of the possible sale.

The agency said the Foreign Military Sales program package is for three UH-60M Black Hawks, eight T-700-GE-701C engines, 12 M-134 7.62mm machine guns, embedded global positioning system/inertial navigation systems, and spare and repair parts.

Principal contractors if the deal passes congressional muster and final contract agreements would be Sikorsky Aircraft, General Electric Engines, and Dillon Aero Systems.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of Brazil, which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in South America," the agency said.