[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.

                          ____________________