Thousands of AGM-114 R/K Hellfire Category III missiles are being sought by the United Arab Emirates from the United States.

The air-to-surface missiles, as well as training and technical assistance, would be acquired through a U.S. Foreign Military Sales deal worth an estimated $476 million.

The supply of the missiles, approved by the U.S. State Department, would take place in increments over three years, said the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which manages the FMS program.

"This proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a partner country, which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," it said in its notification to Congress.

"The proposed sale will improve the UAE's capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for its critical infrastructure. The UAE will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense."

Lockheed gets $321M Long Range Anti-Ship Missile contract
Washington (UPI) May 16, 2016 - Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has been awarded a $321.8 million, cost-plus-incentive-fee U.S. Navy contract for research and development in support of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile program's integration and research phase.

The integration and test phase completes all remaining hardware and software detailed design. It will also include systemically retiring any open risks, building and testing missile test articles to verify capability requirements compliance and preparing for production and/or deployment.

This phase will also entail completing full system integration and incorporating an affordable and executable LRASM manufacturing process into the existing Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile -- Extended Range production process.

The contract work will also include examining and defining the logistics footprint, designing for producibility, ensuring affordability, critical anti-tamper and cybersecurity measures and demonstrating system integration, interoperability, safety and utility.

Work will be performed in Florida and Alabama, with an expected completion date of August 2019.