[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2257-S2258]
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. 18-06, 
     concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Mexico for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $1.2 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,

                                           Gregory M. Kausner,

                                           (For Charles W. Hooper,
                               Lieutenant General, USA, Director).
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 18-06

     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 Mexico.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment * $.8 billion.
       Other $.4 billion.
       Total $1.2 billion.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Eight (8) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters, equipped with:
       Twenty (20) T-700 GE 401 C Engines (16 installed and 4 
     spares).
       Sixteen (16) APS-153(V) Multi-Mode Radars (8 installed, 8 
     spares).
       Ten (10) Airborne Low Frequency System (ALFS) (8 installed 
     and 2 spares).
       Twelve (12) AN/AAS-44C Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems 
     Forward Looking Infrared Systems (8 installed, 4 spares).
       Twenty (20) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial 
     Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-
     Spoofing Module (16 installed and 4 spares).
       Thirty (30) AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Devices.
       One thousand (1,000) AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys.
       Ten (10) AGM-114 Hellfire Missiles.
       Five (5) AGM-114 M36-E9 Captive Air Training Missiles.
       Four (4) AGM-114Q Hellfire Training Missiles.
       Thirty eight (38) Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System 
     (APKWS) II Rockets.
       Thirty (30) Mk -54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedoes (LHTs).
       Twelve (12) M-240D Machine Guns.
       Twelve (12) GAU-21 Machine Guns.
       Non-MDE: Also included are twelve (12) AN/ARC-220 High 
     Frequency radios; fourteen (14) AN/APX-123 Identification 
     Friend or Foe Transponders (8 installed and 6 spares); spare 
     engine containers; facilities study, design, and 
     construction; spare and repair parts; support and test 
     equipment; communication equipment; ferry support; 
     publications and technical documentation; personnel training 
     and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor 
     engineering, technical and logistics support services; and 
     other related elements of logistical and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Navy (MX-P-SAA).
       (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: April 18, 2018
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

                Mexico--MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters

       The Government of Mexico has requested to buy eight (8) MH-
     60R Multi-Mission Helicopters, equipped with: twenty (20) T-
     700 GE 401 C engines (16 installed and 4 spares); sixteen 
     (16) APS-153(V) Multi-Mode radars (8 installed, 8 spares); 
     ten (10) Airborne Low Frequency Systems (ALFS) (8 installed 
     and 2 spares); fourteen (14) AN/APX-123 Identification Friend 
     or Foe transponders (8 installed and 6 spares); twelve (12) 
     AN/AAS-44C Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems Forward Looking 
     Infrared Systems (8 installed, 4 spares); twenty (20) 
     Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation 
     Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing 
     Module (16 installed and 4 spares); thirty (30) AN/AVS-9 
     Night Vision Devices; one thousand (1,000) AN/SSQ-36/53/62 
     Sonobuoys; ten (10) AGM-114 Hellfire missiles; five (5) AGM-
     114 M36-E9 Captive Air Training missiles; four (4) AGM-114Q 
     Hellfire training missiles; thirty eight (38) Advanced 
     Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) II rockets; thirty (30) 
     Mk 54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedoes (LHTs); twelve (12) M-240D 
     machine guns; twelve (12) GAU-21 Machine Guns. Also included 
     are twelve (12) AN/ARC-220 High Frequency radios; spare 
     engine containers; facilities study, design, and 
     construction; spare and repair parts; support and test 
     equipment; communication equipment; ferry support; 
     publications and technical documentation; personnel training 
     and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor 
     engineering, technical and logistics support services; and 
     other related elements of logistical and program support. The 
     total estimated value is $1.20 billion.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security of the United States by helping to improve 
     the security of a strategic regional partner. Mexico has been 
     a strong partner in combating organized crime and drug 
     trafficking organizations. The sale of these aircraft to 
     Mexico will significantly increase and strengthen its 
     maritime capabilities. Mexico intends to use these defense 
     articles and services to modernize its armed forces and 
     expand its existing naval and maritime support of national 
     security requirements and in its efforts to combat criminal 
     organizations.
       The proposed sale will improve Mexico's ability to meet 
     current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The MH-
     60R Multi-Mission Helicopter will enable Mexico to perform 
     anti-surface and antisubmarine warfare missions and secondary 
     missions including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, 
     and communications relay. Mexico will use the enhanced 
     capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to 
     strengthen its homeland defense. Mexico 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 contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and 
     Mission Systems in Owego, New York. There are no known offset 
     agreements in connection with this potential sale.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will require the 
     assignment of additional U.S.

[[Page S2258]]

     Government and/or contractor representatives to Mexico.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 18-06

     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 MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter focuses primarily on 
     anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions. The MH-60R 
     carries several sensors and data links to enhance its ability 
     to work in a network centric battle group as an extension of 
     its home ship/main operating base. The mission equipment 
     subsystem consists of the following sensors and subsystems: 
     an acoustics systems consisting of a dipping sonar and 
     sonobuoys, Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) with integral 
     Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogator, Electronic 
     Support Measures (ESM), Integrated Self-Defense (ISD), and 
     Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS). Also, Night Vision 
     Devices (AN/AVS-9) for CONOPS and interoperability with USN. 
     It can carry AGM-114A/B/K Hellfire missiles, as well as Mk 
     46/54 torpedoes to engage surface and sub-surface targets. 
     The Mexican MH-60R platform will include provisions for the 
     Mk 54 light weight torpedo. The MH-60R weapons system is 
     classified up to SECRET. Unless otherwise noted below, MH-60R 
     hardware and support equipment, test equipment, and 
     maintenance spares are UNCLASSIFIED except when electrical 
     power is applied to hardware containing volatile data 
     storage. Technical data and documentation for MH-60R weapons 
     systems (including sub-systems and weapons listed below) are 
     classified up to SECRET. The sensitive technologies include:
       a. The AGM-114 HELLFIRE missile is an air-to-surface 
     missile with a multi-mission, multi-target, precision strike 
     capability. The HELLFIRE can be launched from multiple air 
     platforms and is the primary precision weapon for the United 
     States Army. The highest level for release of the AGM-114 
     HELLFIRE is SECRET, based upon the software. The highest 
     level of classified information that could be disclosed by a 
     proposed sale or by testing of the end item is SECRET; the 
     highest level that must be disclosed for production, 
     maintenance, or training is CONFIDENTIAL. Reverse engineering 
     could reveal CONFIDENTIAL information. Vulnerability data, 
     countermeasures, vulnerability/susceptibility analyses, and 
     threat definitions are classified SECRET or CONFIDENTIAL.
       b. Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) II laser 
     guided rocket to counter the fast attack craft and fast 
     inshore attack craft threat. APKWS hardware is UNCLASSIFIED.
       c. The light-weight hybrid air launched torpedo (Mk 54 LHT) 
     is for surface and subsurface targets. The acquisition of Mk-
     54 LHT will include ancillary equipment and publications.
       d. Communications security devices contain sensitive 
     encryption algorithms and keying material. The purchasing 
     country has previously been released and utilizes COMSEC 
     devices in accordance with set procedures and without issue. 
     COMSEC devices will be classified up to SECRET when keys are 
     loaded.
       e. Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) (KIV-78) contains 
     embedded security devices containing sensitive encryption 
     algorithms and keying material. The purchasing country will 
     utilize COMSEC devices in accordance with set procedures. The 
     AN/APX-123 is classified up to SECRET.
       f. GPS/PPS/SAASM--Global Positioning System (GPS) provides 
     a space-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that 
     has reliable location and time information in all weather and 
     at all times and anywhere on or near the earth when and where 
     there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS 
     satellites. Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module 
     (SAASM) (AN/PSN-11) is used by military GPS receivers to 
     allow decryption of precision GPS coordinates. The GPS 
     hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. When electrical power is applied, 
     the system is classified up to SECRET.
       g. Acoustics algorithms are used to process dipping sonar 
     and sonobuoy data for target tracking and for the Acoustics 
     Mission Planner (AMP), which is a tactical aid employed to 
     optimize the deployment of sonobuoys and the dipping sonar. 
     Acoustics hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. The acoustics system is 
     classified up to SECRET when environmental and threat 
     databases are loaded and/or the system is processing acoustic 
     data.
       h. The AN/APS-153 multi-mode radar with an integrated IFF 
     and Inverse Synthetic Aperture (ISAR) provides target 
     surveillance/detection capability. The AN/APS-153 hardware is 
     unclassified. When electrical power is applied and mission 
     data loaded, the AN/APS-153 is classified up to SECRET.
       i. The AN/ALQ-210 (ESM) system identifies the location of 
     an emitter. The ability of the system to identify specific 
     emitters depends on the data provided by the Mexican Navy. 
     The AN/ALQ-210 hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. When electrical 
     power is applied and mission data loaded, the AN/ALQ-210 
     system is classified up to SECRET.
       j. The AN/AAS-44C Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) 
     uses the Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS) that allows it 
     to operate in day/night and adverse weather conditions. 
     Imagery is provided by an Infrared sensor, a color/monochrome 
     DTV, and a Low-Light TV. The AN/AAS-44C hardware is 
     UNCLASSIFIED. When electrical power is applied, the AN/AAS-
     44C is classified up to SECRET.
       k. Satellite Communications Demand Assigned Multiple Access 
     (SATCOM DAMA), which provide increased, interoperable 
     communications capabilities with US forces. SATCOM DAMA 
     hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. When electrical power is applied 
     and mission data loaded these systems are classified up to 
     SECRET.
       2. All the mission data, including sensitive parameters, is 
     loaded from an off board station before each flight and does 
     not stay with the aircraft after electrical power has been 
     removed. Sensitive technologies are protected as defined in 
     the program protection and anti-tamper plans. The mission 
     data and off board station are classified up to SECRET.
       3. 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 or be used in the 
     development of a system with similar or advanced 
     capabilities.
       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 U.S. 
     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 
     Mexico.

                          ____________________