The World - News from June 2, 1987

The White House has asked Congress to approve the sale to Saudi Arabia of a more advanced model of the U.S. Maverick air-to-ground missile. Congress in 1984 approved the sale of 1,600 Maverick B missiles, but the Administration is now asking to substitute the Maverick D, which has a more sophisticated guidance system, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said. The deal is worth about $360 million. The missiles, produced by Hughes Aircraft, can be used on U.S.-made F-5 fighter planes. The Saudis have bought 2,500 of the missiles since 1974.