[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 166 (Monday, October 16, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6392-S6396]
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, Oct. 12, 2017.
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. 17-26,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $342.6 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,
Charles W. Hooper,
Lieutenant General, USA, Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 17-26
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: Government of Kuwait.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $0.0 million.
Other $342.6 million.
Total $342.6 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
Non-MDE: Non-MDE items and services for three years (with
option for two additional years) of follow-on support of two
(2) C-17 aircraft includes participation in the Globemaster
III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP), contract logistic
support, Class I modifications and kits support, in-country
contractor support, alternate mission equipment, major
modification and retrofit, software support, aircraft
maintenance and technical support, support equipment,
personnel training and training equipment, additional spare
and repair parts, technical orders and publications,
airworthiness certification support, engine spares, engine
maintenance and logistics support, inspections support, on-
site COMSEC support, Quality Assurance and other U.S.
Government and contractor engineering, logistics and program
support. Required upgrades will include fixed installation
satellite antenna, Mode 5, plus installation and sustainment,
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out, and other
related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (X7-D-QAH).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: KU-D--SAA.
(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 Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: October 12, 2017.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Kuwait--Continuation of C-17 Logistics Support Services and Equipment
The Government of Kuwait has requested three years (with
option for two additional years) of follow-on support of two
(2) C-17 aircraft, which includes participation in the
Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP),
contract logistic support, Class I modifications and kits
support, in-country contractor support, alternate mission
equipment, major modification and retrofit, software support,
aircraft maintenance and technical support, support
equipment, personnel training and training equipment,
additional spare and repair parts, technical orders and
publications, airworthiness certification support, engine
spares, engine maintenance and logistics support, inspections
support, on-site COMSEC support, Quality Assurance and other
U.S. Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and
program support. Required upgrades will include fixed
installation satellite antenna, Mode 5, plus installation and
sustainment, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out,
and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The estimated cost is $342.6 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy
and national security of the United States by helping to
improve the security of a friendly country. Kuwait plays a
large role in U.S. efforts to advance stability in the Middle
East, providing basing, access, and transit for U.S. forces
in the region.
This proposed sale is required to maintain the operational
readiness of the Kuwaiti Air Force C-17 aircraft. Kuwait's
current FMS contract supporting its C-17's will expire in
September of 2017. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing
this support.
[[Page S6393]]
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be the Boeing Company, Chicago,
IL. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset
agreement will be defined in negotiations between the
purchaser and the contractor.
There is an on-going Foreign Military Sale (FMS) case
providing C-17 sustainment services. There are currently nine
(9) contractors from Boeing Company (aircraft) in-country
providing Contractor Engineering Technical Services (CETS) on
a continuing basis.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-26
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. This sale will involve the release of sensitive
technology to the Government of Kuwait in the performance of
services to sustain two (2) Kuwaiti C-17 aircraft. While much
of the below equipment supporting the C-17 is not new to the
country, there will be replenishment spares of these
following sensitive technologies purchased to support the
fleet.
2. The Force 524D is a 24-channel Selective Availability
Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) based Global Positioning System
(GPS) receiver with Precise Positioning Service (PPS)
capability built upon Trimble's next generation GPS
technology. The Force 524D retains backward compatibility
with the proven Force 5GS while adding new functionality to
interface with digital antenna electronics to significantly
improve Anti-Jam (AJ) performance. The host platform can
select the radio frequency (RF) or Digital Antenna
Electronics (DAE) interface. In the digital mode, the Force
524D is capable of controlling up to 16 independent beams.
The hardware and software associated with the 542D receiver
card is UNCLASSIFIED.
3. The C-17 aircraft will be equipped with the GPS Anti-Jam
System (GAS-1) antenna which consists of a multi-element
Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas (CRPA) and separate
antenna electronics which is able to recognize multiple
sources of deliberate jamming and other electrical
interference allowing the navigation equipment to function
safely, accurately, and efficiently in the presence of
multiple jammers. The hardware is UNCLASSIFIED.
4. The GPS Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) is a type of
inertial sensor which uses only gyroscopes to determine a
moving aircraft's change in angular direction over a period
of time. Unlike the inertial measurement unit, IRUs are
generally not equipped with accelerometers, which measure
acceleration forces.
IRUs are used for altitude control and navigation of
vehicles with relatively constant acceleration rates, such as
larger aircraft as well as geosynchronous satellites and deep
space probes. The GPS IRU is UNCLASSIFIED.
5. Crypto applique for Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe
(IFF), which includes hardware that is UNCLASSIFIED.
6. Software, hardware, and other data/information, which is
sensitive, is reviewed prior to release to protect system
vulnerabilities, design data, and performance parameters.
Potential compromise of these systems is controlled through
management of the basic software programs of highly sensitive
systems and software-controlled weapon systems on a case-by-
case basis.
7. Kuwait is both willing and able to protect United States
Classified Military Information (CMI). Kuwaiti physical and
document security standards are equivalent to U.S. standards.
Kuwait has demonstrated its willingness and capability to
protect sensitive military technology and information
released to its military in the past. Kuwait is firmly
committed to its relationship with the U.S. and to its
promise to protect CMI and prevent its transfer to a third
party. The Government of Kuwait signed a Technical Security
Arrangement (TSA) with the USG on 01 January 1989 that
commits them to the protection of CMI.
8. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the specific hardware or software source code in
this proposed sale, the information could be used to develop
countermeasures which might reduce weapon system
effectiveness or be used in the development of systems with
similar or advanced capabilities. The benefits to be derived
from this sale in the furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy
and national security objectives, as outlined in the Policy
Justification, outweigh the potential damage that could
result if the sensitive technology were revealed to
unauthorized persons.
9. All defense articles and services listed on this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Kuwait.
____
Defense Security Cooperation
Agency,
Arlington, VA, October 11, 2017.
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. 17-47,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of the Czech Republic for
defense articles and services estimated to cost $575 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,
Charles W. Hooper,
Lieutenant General, USA, Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 17-47
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: Government of the Czech
Republic.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $335.9 million.
Other $239.1 million.
Total $575.0 million.
(iii) Description and Ouantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Twelve (12) UH-1Y Utility
Helicopters. Twenty-five (25) T-700 GE 401C Engines (twenty-
four (24) installed, one (1) spare). Thirteen (13) Honeywell
Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Inertial Navigation
System (INS) (EGI) (twelve (12) installed, one (1) spare).
Twelve (12) 7.62mm M240 Machine Guns.
Non-MDE includes: Brite Star II FLIR system, Aircraft
Survivability Equipment (ASE) (includes the AN/AAR-47 Missile
Warning and Laser Detection System, AN/ALE-47 Counter Measure
Dispensing System (CMDS) and the AN/APR-39 Radar Warning
Receiver (RWR)), Joint Mission Planning Systems, Helmet
Mounted Displays, communication equipment, small caliber gun
systems including GAU-17A and GAU-21, electronic warfare
systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 4/5
transponder, support equipment, spare engine containers,
spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical
data and publications, personnel training and training
equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering,
technical, and logistics support services, and other related
elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy.
(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 Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: October 11, 2017.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Czech Republic--UH-1Y Utility Helicopters
The Government of the Czech Republic has requested the
possible sale of twelve (12) UH-1Y utility helicopters,
twenty-five (25) T-700 GE 401C engines (twenty-four (24)
installed, one (1) spare), thirteen (13) Honeywell Embedded
GPS/INS (EGI) (twelve (12) installed, one (1) spare), and
twelve (12) 7.62mm M240 Machine Guns. This request also
includes Brite Star II FLIR system, Aircraft Survivability
Equipment (ASE) (includes the AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning and
Laser Detection System, AN/ALE-47 Counter Measure Dispensing
System (CMDS) and the AN/APR-39 Radar Warning Receiver
(RWR)), Joint Mission Planning Systems, Helmet Mounted
Displays, communication equipment, small caliber gun systems
including GAU-17A and GAU-21, electronic warfare systems,
Identification Friend or Foe (1FF) Mode 4/5 transponder,
support equipment, spare engine containers, spare and repair
parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and
publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S.
government and contractor engineering, technical, and
logistics support services, and other related elements of
logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $575
million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by helping to improve
the security of a NATO partner that is an important force for
ensuring peace and stability in Europe. The proposed sale
will support the Czech Republic's needs for its own self-
defense and support NATO defense goals.
The Czech Republic intends to use these helicopters to
modernize its armed forces and strengthen its homeland
defense and deter regional threats. This will contribute to
the Czech Republic's military goal of updating its
capabilities while further enhancing interoperability with
the United States and other NATO allies. The Czech Republic
will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its
armed forces.
This proposed sale of equipment and support will not alter
the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron,
Fort Worth, Texas; and General Electric Company, Lynn,
Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed
in conjunction with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple
trips by U.S. Government and contractor representatives to
participate in program and technical reviews plus training
and maintenance support in country, on a temporary basis, for
a period of twenty-four (24) months. It will also require
three (3) Contractor Engineering Technical Service (CETS)
representatives to reside in country for a period of two (2)
years to support this program.
[[Page S6394]]
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-47
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 following components and technical documentation for
the program are classified as listed below:
a. The UH-1Y-model has an Integrated Avionics System (IAS)
which includes two (2) mission computers and an automatic
flight control system. Each crew station has two (2) 8 x 6-
inch multifunction liquid crystal displays (LCD) and one (1)
4.2 x 4.2-inch dual function LCD display. The communications
suite will have COMSEC ARC-210 Ultra High Frequency Very High
Frequency (UHF/VHF) radios with associated communications
equipment. The navigation suite includes Honeywell Embedded
Global Positioning System (GPS) Inertial Navigation System
(INS) (EGI) w/Precise Positioning Service (PPS), a digital
map system, a low-airspeed air data subsystem, and an AN/APX-
123/A(V) IFF Transponder.
b. The crew is equipped with the Optimized Top Owl (OTO)
helmet-mounted sight and display system. The OTO has a Day
Display Module (DDM) and a Night Display Module (NDM). The
UH-1Y has survivability equipment including the AN/AAR-47
Missile Warning and Laser Detection System, AN/ALE-47 Counter
Measure Dispensing System (CMDS) and the AN/APR-39 Radar
Warning Receiver (RWR) to cover countermeasure dispensers,
radar warning, incoming/on-way missile warning and on-
fuselage laser-spot warning systems.
c. The following performance data and technical
characteristics are classified as follows for the UH-1Y
Airframe: countermeasure capability--up to SECRET, counter-
countermeasures capability--SECRET, vulnerability to
countermeasures--SECRET, vulnerability to electromagnetic
pulse from nuclear environmental effects--SECRET.
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 which
might reduce weapon system effectiveness.
3. The consequences of the loss of this technology to a
technologically advanced or competent adversary could result
in the compromise of equivalent systems, which in turn could
reduce those weapons systems' effectiveness, or be used in
the development of a system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
4. A determination has been made that the Czech Republic
can provide substantially the same degree of protection for
the sensitive technology being released as the U.S.
Government. This sale of the UH-1Y helicopter and associated
weapons will further U.S. foreign policy and national
security objectives.
5. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of the Czech Republic.
____
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency
Arlington, VA, Oct. 11, 2017.
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. 17-46,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of the Netherlands for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $53 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,
Charles W. Hooper,
Lieutenant General, USA, Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 17-46
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: The Government of the
Netherlands.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $48 million.
Other $5 million.
Total $53 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Twenty-six (26) AIM-120 C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-
Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
One (1) AMRAAM Spare Guidance Section.
Non-MDE: Twenty (20) AMRAAM Captive Air Training Missiles
(CATM), missile containers, control section spares, weapon
systems support, test equipment, spare and repair parts,
publications and technical documentation, personnel training,
training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, logistics, technical support services, and other
related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (X7-D-YAE).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: NE-D-YME for two hundred
(200) AIM-120B.
(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 Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: October 11, 2017.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Government of the Netherlands--AIM-120 C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-
to-Air Missile (AMRAAM)
The Government of the Netherlands has requested a possible
sale of twenty-six (26) AIM-120 C-7 Advanced Medium Range
Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), one (1) AMRAAM Guidance Section
Spare (MDE items), twenty (20) AMRAAM Captive Air Training
Missiles (CATM), missile containers, control section spares,
weapon systems support, test equipment, spare and repair
parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel
training, training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, logistics, technical support services, and other
related elements of logistics and program support. The
estimated total case value is $53 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by helping
to improve the security of a NATO ally which continues to be
an important force for political stability and economic
progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve the Netherland's
capabilities for mutual defense, regional security, force
modernization, and U.S. and NATO interoperability. This sale
will enhance the Royal Netherlands Air Force's ability to
defend the Netherlands against future threats and contribute
to current and future NATO operations. The Netherlands
maintains the AIM-120B in its inventory and will have no
difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the
basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems,
Tucson, AZ. 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 personnel or
contractor representatives to the Netherlands.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-46
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. AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile
(AMRAAM) is a radar-guided missile featuring digital
technology and micro-miniature solid-state electronics.
AMRAAM capabilities include look-down/shoot-down, multiple
launches against multiple targets, resistance to electronic
counter measures, and interception of high flying, low
flying, and maneuvering targets. The AMRAAM is classified
CONFIDENTIAL, major components and subsystems range from
UNCLASSIFIED to CONFIDENTIAL, and technology data and other
documentation are classified up to SECRET.
2. If a technologically advanced adversary obtains
knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the
information could be used to develop countermeasures or
equivalent systems that might reduce weapon system
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with
similar or advanced capabilities.
3. A determination has been made that the Government of the
Netherlands can provide substantially the same degree of
protection for the sensitive technology being released as the
U.S. Government. This proposed sale is necessary to the
furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national security
objectives outlined in the policy justification.
4. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of the Netherlands.
____
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Arlington, VA, Oct. 6, 2017.
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. 17-28,
concerning the Missile Defense Agency's proposed Letter(s) of
Offer and Acceptance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for
defense articles and services estimated to cost $15 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,
Charles W. Hooper,
Lieutenant General, USA Director.
Enclosure.
transmittal no. 17-28
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: Saudi Arabia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $ 9 billion.
Other $ 6 billion.
Total $15 billion.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
[[Page S6395]]
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Forty-four (44) Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
Launchers.
Three hundred sixty (360) THAAD Interceptor Missiles.
Sixteen (16) THAAD Fire Control and Communications Mobile
Tactical Station Group.
Seven (7) AN/TPY-2 THAAD Radars.
Non-MDE:
Also included are THAAD Battery maintenance equipment,
forty-three (43) prime movers (trucks), generators,
electrical power units, trailers, communications equipment,
tools, test and maintenance equipment, repair and return,
system integration and checkout, spare/repair parts,
publications and technical documentation, personnel training
and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor
technical and logistics personnel support services,
facilities construction, studies, and other related elements
of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Departments: Missile Defense Agency (XX-I-
W1B, XX-I-WIC); Army (XX-B-TFP, XX-B-BDP, XX-B-ZAO, XX-B-DAH,
XX-B-ZAQ, XX-B-OZY, XX-B-HFA); NSA (XX-M-AAG).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: SR-I-WIA Basic, 2 February
2015; Amendment 1, 25 August 2016.
(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 Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: October 6, 2017.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
policy justification
Saudi Arabia--Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Related Support
Equipment and Services
The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible
sale of forty-four (44) Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
(THAAD) launchers, three hundred sixty (360) THAAD
Interceptor Missiles, sixteen (16) THAAD Fire Control and
Communications Mobile Tactical Station Group, seven (7) AN/
TPY-2 THAAD radars. Also included are THAAD Battery
maintenance equipment, forty-three (43) prime movers
(trucks), generators, electrical power units, trailers,
communications equipment, tools, test and maintenance
equipment, repair and return, system integration and
checkout, spare/repair parts, publications and technical
documentation, personnel training and training equipment,
U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics
personnel support services, facilities construction, studies,
and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The estimated cost is $15 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a friendly country. This sale
furthers U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,
and supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the
Gulf region in the face of Iranian and other regional
threats. This potential sale will substantially increase
Saudi Arabia's capability to defend itself against the
growing ballistic missile threat in the region. THAAD's exo-
atmospheric, hit-to-kill capability will add an upper-tier to
Saudi Arabia's layered missile defense architecture and will
support modernization of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force
(RSADF). Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing this
equipment into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors for the THAAD system are Lockheed
Martin Space Systems Corporation, Dallas, TX, Camden, AR,
Troy, AL and Huntsville, AL; and Raytheon Corporation,
Andover, MA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require one
hundred eleven (111) contractor representatives and eighteen
(18) U.S. Government personnel in country for an extended
period of time.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
transmittal no. 17-28
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 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD)
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System contains classified
CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET components and critical/sensitive
technology. The THAAD Fire Unit is a ground-based, forward
deployable terminal missile defense system that represents
significant technological advances. The THAAD system
continues to hold a technology lead over other terminal
ballistic missile systems. THAAD is the first weapon system
with both endo- and exo- atmospheric capability developed
specifically to defend against ballistic missiles. The higher
altitude and theater-wide protection offered by THAAD
provides more protection of larger areas than lower-tier
systems alone. THAAD is designed to defend against short,
medium, and intermediate range ballistic missiles. The THAAD
system consists of four major components: Fire Control/
Communications, Radar, Launchers, and Interceptor Missiles.
2. The THAAD BMD System contains sensitive/critical
technology, primarily in the area of defense and production
know-how and primarily inherent in the design, development
and/or manufacturing data related to certain critical
components. Information on operational effectiveness with
respect to countermeasures and counter-countermeasures, low
observable technologies, select software documentation and
test data are classified up to and including SECRET.
3. The THAAD BMD System contains Controlled Cryptographic
Items (CCI) that are used for both system internal links and
for external communications. These items consist of key
loading devices, network encryptors, secure telephones, voice
radios, tactical data radios, and mission data radios.
Specific CCI used for the Saudi Arabia case will be
determined through the COMSEC Release Request (CRR) process,
initiated through USCENTCOM once an interoperability
requirement has been established. NSA will identify
releasable items, in parallel with staffing and validation of
the CRR by the Joint Staff. The Committee for National
Security Systems (CNSS) reviews and provides final approval
of the items and quantities.
4. AN/VCR-90, AN/VCR-91, AN/VCR-92 are different
configurations of the Single Channel Ground and Airborne
Radio System (SINCGARS) family. SINCGARS is a tactical radio
providing secure jam-resistant voice and data communications
of command, control, targeting, and technical information for
the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system. The
spread-spectrum frequency hopping Electronic Counter-Counter
Measures (ECCM) technology resident in the radio is sensitive
but UNCLASSIFIED. While sensitive, the frequency-hopping
algorithms used to generate the ECCM waveform are unique to
the country of ownership and cannot be manipulated by
potential adversaries for use or interference with other
countries possessing SINCGARS technology. Should a potential
adversary come into possession of one of these radios, they
would have the potential to intercept operational command,
control, and targeting information. This potential problem is
mitigated by the fact that the customer can secure
information passed over the radio network using a commercial
grade security capability equivalent to an Advanced
Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption system whose
keys are controlled by the customer country.
5. As with the SINCGARS family of radios, the AN/PRC-117 is
a tactical radio providing ECCM jam-resistant secure
communications for exchange of command, control, and
targeting information within the THAAD system tactical radio
network. ECCM capabilities are sensitive but UNCLASSIFIED and
algorithms for these jam-resistant waveforms are unique to
the customer country. Unlike the SINCGARS radios, the AN/PRC-
117 uses Type 1 encryption. When loaded with U.S. crypto
keys, the system is then CLASSIFIED up to SECRET. Should a
potential adversary come into possession of one of these
radios, the customer country can quickly remotely rekey
remaining radios, preventing potential adversaries from
understanding received command, control, and targeting
information.
6. The Defense Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS)
Receiver (DAGR) is a handheld GPS location device with map
background displaying the user's location. Unlike commercial
grade GPS receivers capable of receiving Standard Positioning
Signals (SPS) from GPS satellites, the DAGR is capable of
receiving Precise Positioning Signals (PPS). PPS satellite
signals provide significantly more accurate location data
than do SPS signals. This capability within DAGRs is possible
due to the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module
(SAASM). The SAASM is an encrypted device permitting both
receipt of PPS signals and the benefit of preventing
potential adversaries from spoofing the system to display
incorrect location information. The SAASM capability within
the DAGR is sensitive but UNCLASSIFIED. The SAASM
capabilities are sensitive due to the system's ability to
access restricted PPS GPS satellite signals and to prevent
spoofing. While sensitive, the ability of potential
adversaries to exploit the system is limited.
7. The same SAASM capabilities resident in the DAGR are
also resident in the THAAD GPS timing system. The THAAD
system requires highly precise timing hacks in order
accurately track and engage targets. The PPS signals
generated by GPS satellites provide this precise timing
information. The SAASM device resident in the timing system
permits receipt of this precise PPS timing data. The SAASM is
an encrypted device permitting both receipt of PPS signals
and the benefit of preventing potential adversaries from
spoofing the system to display incorrect data. The SAASM
capability within the timing system is sensitive but
UNCLASSIFIED.
8. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of specific hardware, the information could be used
to develop countermeasures which might reduce weapons system
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with
similar or advanced capabilities.
9. A determination has been made that Saudi Arabia can
provide substantially the same degree of protection for
sensitive technology being released as the U.S. Government.
This proposed sustainment program is necessary to the
furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national security
objectives outlined in the policy justification.
[[Page S6396]]
10. All defense articles and services listed on this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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