[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6402-S6404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control
Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain
proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification,
the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be
reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the
notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant
information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to
have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received.
If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is
available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations
Committee, room SD-423.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA.
Hon. Bob Corker,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-53,
concerning the Department of the Air Force's proposed
Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the United Kingdom for
defense articles and services estimated to cost $1.00
billion. After this letter is delivered to your office, we
plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this
proposed sale.
Sincerely,
J. W. Rixey,
Vice Admiral, USN, Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 16-53
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: United Kingdom
(ii)Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $780 million.
Other $220 million.
Total $1.00 billion.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Maior Defense Equipment (MDE):
Twenty-six (26) Certifiable Predator B Remotely Piloted
Aircraft (16 with option for additional 10).
Twelve (12) Advanced Ground Control Stations (GCSs) (8 with
option for additional 4).
Four (4) New Launch and Recovery Element GCSs.
Four (4) Upgrades to existing Blk 15 Launch and Recovery
Element GCSs (2 with option for additional 2).
Twenty-five (25) Multi-spectral Targeting Systems (12 + 2
spares, with option for additional 10+1 spare).
Twenty-five (25) AN/APY-8 Lynx IIe Block 20A Synthetic
Aperture Radar and Ground Moving Target Indicators (SAR/GMTI)
(12 + 2 spares, with option for additional 10 + 1 spare).
Eighty-six (86) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial
Guidance Units (EGIs) (3 per aircraft) (48 + 5 spares, with
option for additional 30 + 3 spares).
Non-MDE include: Non-MDE items include: communications
equipment, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment,
weapons installation kits, and TPE331-10YGD engines. In
addition, the package provides a unique and common spares
package, support equipment, U.S. Air Force technical orders,
country specific technical orders, Contractor Logistics
Support for two (optional three) years, contractor provided
aircraft components, spares, and accessories, training, and
other related elements of logistical and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (X6-D-SAC).
(v) 5 Commission, Fee. etc., Paid, Offered, or Armed to be
Paid: None.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Annex
Attached.
(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: November 16, 2016.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
United Kingdom--Certifiable Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft
The United Kingdom (UK) requested a possible sale of up to
twenty-six (26) Certifiable Predator B Remotely Piloted
Aircraft (16 with option for additional 10); twelve (12)
Advanced Ground Control Stations (GCSs) (8 with option for
additional 4); four (4) New Launch and Recovery Element GCSs;
four (4) Upgrades to existing Blk 15 Launch and Recovery
Element GCSs (2 with option for additional 2); twenty-five
(25) Multi-spectral Targeting Systems (12 + 2 spares, with
option for additional 10 + 1 spare); twenty-five (25) AN/
[[Page S6403]]
APY-8 Lynx IIe Block 20A Synthetic Aperture Radar and Ground
Moving Target Indicators (SAR/GMTI) (12 + 2 spares, with
option for additional 10 + 1 spare); Eighty-six (86) Embedded
Global Positioning System/Inertial Guidance Units (EGIs) (3
per aircraft) (48 + 5 spares, with option for additional 30 +
3 spares). This sale also includes communications equipment,
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment; weapons
installation kits; TPE331-10YGD engines; unique and common
spares package; support equipment; U.S. Air Force technical
orders; country specific technical orders; Contractor
Logistics Support for two (optional three) years; contractor
provided aircraft components, spares, and accessories;
personnel training; and other related elements of logistical
and program support. The total estimated program cost is $1.0
billion.
The UK is a close ally and an important partner on critical
foreign policy and defense issues. The proposed sale will
enhance U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives
by enhancing the UK's capabilities to provide national
defense and contribute to NATO and coalition operations.
This sale will improve the UK's ability to meet current and
future threats by providing improved Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage that enhances
homeland security, promotes increased battlefield situational
awareness, augments combat search and rescue, and provides
ground troop support. The Certifiable Predator B will also be
used to support the UK's armed forces and coalition forces
engaged in current and future peacekeeping, peace-enforcing,
counter-insurgent, and counterterrorism operations. The UK
already operates armed remotely piloted aircraft, the MQ-9
Reaper, and will have no difficulty transitioning to the
Certifiable Predator B.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in San Diego, California. There
are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with
this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to the UK.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 16-53
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The Certifiable Predator B (CPB) Remotely Piloted
Aircraft (RPA) is a weapons-capable aircraft designed for
medium to high altitude-long endurance Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Target Acquisition,
and Strike missions. Protector (formerly known as Scavenger)
represents the CPB as modified to a UK-specific configuration
which includes the design, development and integration of a
UK-specific weapons installation kit for employment of UK-
produced weapons (Paveway IV and Brimstone II). Building upon
the legacy of Predator B's proven success, CPB/Protector
provides up to 40 hours endurance, speeds up to 220 knots
true air speed (KTAS) and a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet.
The system is designed to be controlled by two operators
within an Advanced Ground Control Station (AGCS). The AGCS is
designed to emulate a reconnaissance aircraft cockpit, giving
users extensive means to operate both the aircraft and
sensors. CPB/Protector is able to operate using a direct
Line-of-Sight (LOS) datalink or can be operated Beyond Line-
of-Sight (BLOS) using satellite communications (SATCOM). The
design enables unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control to be
handed off between multiple AGCSs thus allowing remote-split
operations and centralized mission control with other assets.
The CPB/Protector system can be deployed from a single site
that supports launch, recovery, mission control, and
maintenance. The system also supports remote-split operations
where launch, recovery, and maintenance occur at a Forward
Operating Base and mission control is conducted from another
geographically separated location, or Main Operating Base
(MOB).
2. The United Kingdom CPB/Protector system includes the
following components.
a. A secure Advanced CGCS with workstations that allow
operators to control and monitor the aircraft, as well as
record and exploit downlinked payload data.
b. The unclassified General Atomics AN/APY-8 Block 20 Lynx
Ile Synthetic Aperture Radar and Ground Moving Target
Indicator (SAR/GMTI) system provides an all-weather
surveillance, tracking and targeting capability. The AN/APY-8
Block 20 operates in the Ku band, using an offset-fed dish
antenna mounted on a three-axis stabilized gimbal. It has a
large field of regard, produces a strip map and can image up
to a 10km wide swath. Swaths from multiple passes can be
combined for wide-area surveillance.
c. The Raytheon Multi-spectral Targeting System with Laser
Target Designator (LTD) and multi-use Electro-Optical (EO)/
Infra-Red (IR) sensor provides long-range surveillance, high-
altitude target acquisition, tracking, and range-finding with
capabilities up to and including high definition color TV,
high definition short-wave IR, medium-wave IR, and long wave
IR sensors.
d. The weapons installation kit enables the integration of
UK-produced munitions (Paveway IV and Brimstone II) onto the
Protector platform. The integration of these munitions
requires specialized non-recurring engineering work which
will be performed by the platform OEM in the United States.
3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the specific hardware or software in this
proposed sale, any information gleaned from exploitation of
hardware, publications and software could be used to develop
countermeasures (electronic, infrared, or other types) as
well as offensive and defensive counter-tactics and allow an
adversary to exploit those vulnerabilities during combat.
4. A determination has been made that the recipient country
can provide substantially the same degree of protection for
the sensitive technology being released as the US Government.
This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign
policy and national security objectives outlined in the
Policy Justification.
5. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the United Kingdom.
____
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA.
Hon. Bob Corker,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-43,
concerning the Department of the Air Force's proposed
Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Republic of Korea
for defense articles and services estimated to cost $141
million. After this letter is delivered to your office, we
plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this
proposed sale.
Sincerely,
J. W. Rixey,
Vice Admiral, USN, Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 16-43
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Republic of Korea
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $41 million.
Other $100 million.
Total $141 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of
the Republic of Korea has requested the sale and installation
of AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures
(LAIRCM) systems on up to four (4) A-330 Multi-Role Tanker
and Transport (MRTT) aircraft. Each LAIRCM system consists of
three (3) Guardian Laser Terminal Assemblies (GLTA), six (6)
Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors AN/AAR-
54, one (1) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR), one
(1) Control Indicator Unit Replacement (CIUR), one (1) Smart
Card Assembly (SCA), one (1) High Capacity Card (HHC), and a
User Data Memory (UDM) card.
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Twenty-six (26) GLTA AN/AAQ-24(V) (12 + 14 spares).
Twelve (12) LSPR AN/AAQ-24(V) (4 + 8 spares).
Fifty-four (54) UVMWS Sensors AN/AAR-54 (24 + 30 spares).
Non-MDE include: CIURs, SCAs, HHCs, UDM cards, initial
spares and repair parts, consumables, support equipment,
technical data, engineering change proposals, minor
modifications, publications, Field Service Representatives
(FSRs), repair and return, depot maintenance, training and
training equipment, contractor technical and logistics
personnel services, U.S. Government and contractor
representative support, Group A and B installation support,
flight test and certification, selective availability anti-
spoofing module (SAASM) Global Positioning System, and other
related elements of logistics support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force.
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
(vi) Sales Commission. Fee. etc., Paid. Offered. or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Annex
Attached.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: November 16,
2016.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Republic of Korea--Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM)
System
The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has requested
the sale and installation of AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft
Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems for up to four (4)
A-330 Multi-Role Tanker and Transport (MRTT) aircraft. Each
LAIRCM system consists of the following major defense
equipment (MDE): three (3) Guardian Laser Terminal Assemblies
(GLTA), six (6) Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS)
Sensors AN/AAR-54, one (1) LAIRCM System Processor
Replacement (LSPR), one (1) Control Indicator Unit
Replacement (CIUR), one (1) Smart Card Assembly (SCA), one
(1) High Capacity Card (HCC), and User Data Memory (UDM)
card. The sale includes spares bringing the MDE
[[Page S6404]]
total to twenty-six (26) GLTAs, twelve (12) LSPRs, and fifty-
four (54) UVMWS Sensors AN/AAR-54.
The sale also includes the following non-MDE items: CIURs,
SCAs, HHCs, UDM Cards, initial spares and repair parts,
consumables, support equipment, technical data, engineering
change proposals, minor modifications, publications, Field
Service Representatives' (FSRs), repair and return, depot
maintenance, training and training equipment, contractor
technical and logistics personnel services, U.S. Government
and contractor representative support, Group A and B
installation support, flight test and certification,
selective availability anti-spoofing module (SAASM) Global
Positioning System, and other related elements of logistics
support. The estimated cost is $141 million.
The ROK is procuring the LAIRCM system to defend and
protect its future aerial refueling and troop transport
capabilities. This helps the ROK Air Force become more
capable of sustaining and projecting air power across large
distances and transporting its forces and fighter aircraft
for both operational and training missions with less reliance
on foreign partners, such as the United States. The ROK will
have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed
forces.
This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and
national security of the United States. The ROK is one of the
major political and economic powers in East Asia and the
Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in
ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to
U.S. national interests to assist our Korean ally in
developing and maintain a strong and ready self-defense
capability. This sale increases the ROK's capability to
participate in Pacific regional security operations and
improves its national security posture as a key U.S. ally.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not
affect the basic military balance in the region.
This sale includes provisions for one (1) FSR to live in
Korea for up to two years. Implementation of this proposed
sale requires multiple temporary trips to Korea involving
U.S. Government or contractor representatives over a period
of up to six (6) years for program execution, delivery,
technical support, and training.
The principal contractor is Northrop Grumman Corporation,
Rolling Meadows, IL. At this time, there are no known offset
agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
There is no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 16-43
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures
(LAIRCM) is a self-contained, directed energy countermeasures
system designed to protect aircraft from infrared-guided
surface-to-air missiles. The system features digital
technology and microminiature solid-state electronics. The
system operates in all conditions, detecting incoming
missiles and jamming infrared-seeker equipped missiles with
aimed bursts of laser energy. The LAIRCM system consists of
multiple Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors
AN/AAR-54, Guardian Laser Turret Assembly (GLTA), LAIRCM
System Processor Replacement (LSPR), Control Indicator Unit
Replacement (CIUR), and a classified High Capacity Card
(HCC), and User Data Memory (UDM) card. The HCC is loaded
into the CIUR prior to flight. When the classified HCC is not
in use, it is removed from the CIUR and placed in onboard
secure storage. LAIRCM Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) hardware
is classified SECRET when the HCC is inserted into the CIUR.
LAIRCM system software, including Operational Flight Program
is classified SECRET. Technical data and documentation to be
provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
a. The set of UVMWS Sensor units (AN/AAR-54) are mounted on
the aircraft exterior to provide omni-directional protection.
The UVMWS detects the rocket plume of missiles and sends
appropriate data signals to the LSPR for processing. The LSPR
analyzes the data from each UVMWS Sensor and automatically
deploys the appropriate countermeasure via the GLTA. The CIUR
displays the incoming threat.
b. The AN/AAR-54 UVMWS Sensor warns of threat missile
approach by detecting radiation associated with the rocket
motor. The AN/AAR-54 is a small, lightweight, passive,
electro-optic, threat warning device used to detect surface-
to-air missiles fired at helicopters and low-flying fixed-
wing aircraft and automatically provide countermeasures, as
well as audio and visual warning messages to the aircrew. The
basic system consists of multiple UVMWS Sensor units, three
(3) GLTAs, a LSPR, and a CIUR. The set of UVMWS units (each
A-330 MRTT has six (6)) are mounted on the aircraft exterior
to provide omni-directional protection. Hardware is
UNCLASSIFIED. Software is SECRET. Technical data and
documentation to be provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
2. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the
information could be used to develop countermeasures or
equivalent systems which might reduce system effectiveness or
be used in the development of a system with similar or
advanced capabilities.
3. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S.
foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in
the Policy justification. Moreover, the benefits to be
derived from this sale, as outlined in the Policy
Justification, outweigh the potential damage that could
result if the sensitive technology were revealed to
unauthorized persons.
4. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of the Republic of Korea.
____________________