[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 192 (Tuesday, November 10, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6644-S6646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. RISCH. Madam 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. James E. Risch,
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. 21-05
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for
defense articles and services estimated to cost $2.97
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,
Heidi H. Grant,
Director.
Enclosures:
Transmittal No. 21-05
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 United Arab
Emirates.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $.90 billion.
Other $2.07 billion.
Total $2.97 billion.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to Eighteen (18) Weapons-Ready MQ-9B Remotely Piloted
Aircraft.
Twelve (12) Fixed Certifiable Ground Control Stations
(CGCSs).
Twenty-five (25) Raytheon Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems-
D (MTS-D) EO/IR Sensors.
Nineteen (19) Lynx AN/APY-8 Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR)
with Ground Moving Target Indicator (GTMI).
Eighteen (18) RIO/TM Communication Intelligence
Systems.
Sixty-six (66) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial
Navigations Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-
Spoofing Modules (SAASMs).
Five hundred fifteen (515) AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles.
Twelve (12) KMU-572 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM)
Tail Kits for 500LB Bombs.
Four (4) MXU-650 Airfoil Groups for 500LB Paveway II GBU-
12.
Seven (7) MXU-1006 Airfoil Groups for 250LB Paveway II GBU-
58.
Eleven (11) MAU-169 or MAU-209 Computer Control Groups
(CCGs) for 250LB/500LB Paveway II GBU-58/GBU-12.
Six (6) FMU-139 Fuse Systems.
Twelve (12) MK-82 General Purpose 500LB Inert Bombs.
Four (4) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Guided Test
Vehicle (GTV) Inert Practice Munitions (T-1) with Fuse.
Non-MDE: Also included are Honeywell TPE-331 turboprop
engines; Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS); mobile
Satellite Communication Ground Data Terminals (SGDTs); Link-
16 KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminals; Automatic Information
System (AIS); Rohde & Schwartz UHF/VHF radios; AN/DPX-7 IFF
Transponders; Satellite Communication (SATCOM) antennas and
modems with USG encryption; Secure SATCOM systems; SeaSpray
7500 maritime radars; SAGE 750 Electronic Surveillance
Measures System; KY-100M security voice terminals; KIV-77
Mode 5 IFF cryptographic appliques; U.S. Government Certified
Encryption Solution; Rover 6i compatible systems; MQ-9B
training simulator; Due Regard Radars (DRR); Electronic
Warfare (EW)
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in-country threat library programming capability; BRU-71A
bomb racks; BRU-78/A bomb racks; Hellfire missile rail kits;
AN/AWM-103/B Station Stores Test Sets; Common Munitions
Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE) Plus Block II;
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) mission kits, receivers, and
acoustic processors; AN/SSQ-36B thermometric sonobouys; AN/
SSQ-53G passive sonobouys; AN-SSQ-62F active sonobouys; ASW
acoustic operator workstations; weapons loading equipment;
initial spare and repair parts; hard points, power, and data
connections for weapons integration; DSU-38 Laser Illuminated
Target Detector for GBU-54; AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loaders;
Electronic Intelligence System; weapons integration; support
and test equipment; 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: Air Force (AE-D-SAC).
(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 Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: November 9, 2020.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
United Arab Emirates--MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft
The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has
requested to buy up to eighteen (18) Weapons-Ready MQ-9B,
Remotely Piloted Aircraft; twenty-five (25) Raytheon Multi-
Spectral Targeting Systems-D (MTS-D) EO/IR Sensors; nineteen
(19) Lynx AN/APY-8 Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) with
Ground Moving Target Indicator (GTMI); eighteen (18) RIO
Communication Intelligence Systems; sixty-six (66) Embedded
Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigations Systems (EGI)
with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules (SAASMs);
five hundred fifteen (515) AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles; twelve
(12) KMU-572 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) Tail Kits
for 500LB Bombs; four (4) MXU-650 Airfoil Groups for 500LB
Paveway II GBU-12; seven (7) MXU-1006 Airfoil Groups for
250LB Paveway II GBU-58; eleven (11) MAU-169 or MAU-209
Computer Control Groups (CCGs) for 250LB/500LB Paveway II
GBU-58/GBU-12; six (6) FMU-139 Fuse Systems; twelve (12) MK-
82 General Purpose 500LB Inert Bombs; and four (4) GBU-39
Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Guided Test Vehicle (GTV) Inert
Practice Munitions (T-1) with Fuse. Also included are
Honeywell TPE-331 turboprop engines; Certifiable Ground
Control Stations (CGCS); mobile Satellite Communication
Ground Data Terminals (SGDTs); Link-16 KOR-24A Small Tactical
Terminals; Automatic Information System (AIS); Rohde &
Schwartz UHF/VHF radios; AN/DPX-7 IFF Transponders; Satellite
Communication (SATCOM) antennas and modems with USG
encryption; Secure SATCOM systems; SeaSpray 7500 maritime
radars; SAGE 750 Electronic Surveillance Measures System; KY-
100M security voice terminals; KIV-77 Mode 5 IFF
cryptographic appliques; U.S. Government Certified Encryption
Solution; Rover 6i compatible systems; MQ-9B training
simulator; Due Regard Radars (DRR); Electronic Warfare (EW)
in-country threat library programming capability; BRU-71A
bomb racks; BRU-78/A bomb racks; Hellfire missile rail kits;
AN/AWM-103/B Station Stores Test Sets; Common Munitions
Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE) Plus Block II;
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) mission kits, receivers, and
acoustic processors; AN/SSQ-368 thermometric sonobouys; AN/
SSQ-53G passive sonobouys; AN-SSQ-62F active sonobouys; ASW
acoustic operator workstations; weapons loading equipment;
initial spare and repair parts; hard points, power, and data
connections for weapons integration; DSU-38 Laser Illuminated
Target Detector for GBU-54; AN/PYQ-IOC Simple Key Loaders;
Electronic Intelligence System; weapons integration; support
and test equipment; 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 overall total estimated value is $2.97
billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by helping to improve
the security of an important regional partner. The UAE has
been, and continues to be, a vital U.S. partner for political
stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve the UAE's capability to meet
current and future threats by providing timely Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), target acquisition,
locate submarines and counter-land and counter-surface sea
capabilities for its security and defense. The capability is
a deterrent to regional threats and strengthens its self-
defense. The UAE has demonstrated a commitment to modernizing
its military and will have no difficulty absorbing these
articles into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will alter
the basic military balance in the Arabian Gulf region by
expanding the release of a weapons ready Remotely Piloted
Aircraft to the region.
The principal contractors will be General Atomic
Aeronautical Systems, San Diego, CA; Lockheed Martin,
Bethesda, MD; Raytheon, Waltham, MA; L3Harris, Inc.,
Melbourne, FL; and Leonardo SpA, Rome, Italy. There are no
known offset agreements proposed in connection with this
potential sale. However, the purchaser typically requests
offsets. Any offset agreements will be defined in
negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor(s).
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives outside the United States.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 21-05
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 MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) is a weapons-
ready aircraft designed for Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance
(MALE) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR),
Target Acquisition, and Strike Missions. The MQ-9B RPA is not
a U.S. Air Force program of record but has close ties to, and
builds upon, the proven success of the MQ-9A Reaper. The MQ-
9B is a highly modular, easily configurable aircraft that
contains the necessary hard points, power, and data
connections to accommodate a variety of payloads and
munitions to meet multiple missions, including counter-land,
counter-sea, and antisubmarine strike operations. The system
is designed to be controlled by two operators within a
Certifiable Ground Control Station (CGCS). The CGCS is
designed to emulate a reconnaissance aircraft cockpit, giving
users extensive means to operate both the aircraft and
sensors. The MQ-9B is able to operate using a direct Line-of-
Sight (LOS) datalink or Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) through
satellite communications (SATCOM). The MQ-9B 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 (FOB) and mission control
is conducted from another location or Main Operating Base
(MOB).
2. The Ground Control Station (GCS) can be either fixed or
mobile. The fixed GCS is enclosed in a customer-specified
shelter. It incorporates workstations that allow operators to
control and monitor the aircraft, as well as record and
exploit downlinked payload data. The mobile GCS allows
operators to perform the same functions and is contained on a
mobile trailer. Workstations in either GCS can be tailored to
meet customer requirements.
3. The SAGE 750 Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM)
System is a United Kingdom-produced digital electronic
intelligence (ELINT) sensor that analyzes the electromagnetic
spectrum to map the source of active emissions. Using highly
accurate Direction Finding (DF) antennas, SAGE builds target
locations and provides situational awareness, advance warning
of threats, and the ability to cue other sensors.
4. The Raytheon Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems-D (MTS-D)
EO/IR sensors is a multispectral Targeting System with Laser
Target Designator (LTD). A multi-use Electro Optical (EO)/
Infrared (IR) sensor provides long-range surveillance, high-
altitude target acquisition, tracking, range-finding, and
laser designation for all tri-service and NATO laser-guided
munitions, with capabilities up to and including high
definition color TV, high definition short-wave IR, medium-
wave IR, and long-wave IR sensors. The AN/DAS-4 is an
evolutionary upgrade to the current AN/DAS-1 system.
5. The Lynx AN/APY-8 Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) with
Ground Moving Target Indicator (GTMI) System provides all-
weather surveillance, tracking, and targeting for military
and commercial customers from manned and unmanned vehicles.
6. The KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal Link-16 is a
command, control communications, and intelligence (C3I)
system incorporating high-capacity, jam-resistant, digital
communication links for exchange of near real-time tactical
information, including both data and voice, among air,
ground, and sea elements.
7. The L3 Harris RIOTM Communications
Intelligence System incorporates radio receivers and flexible
digital processing to create the ability to intercept,
location, and copy adversary communications. The system is
flexible enough that it can detect a wide variety of types of
communications. The open design allows the system to be
upgraded with new software features as adversary
communications change.
8. The Embedded GPS-INS (EGI) with Selective Availability
Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) is a self-contained navigation
system that provides the following: acceleration, velocity,
position, attitude, platform azimuth, magnetic and true
heading, altitude, body angular rates, time tags, and
coordinated universal time (UTC) synchronized time. SAASM
enables the GPS receiver access to the encrypted P(Y) signal
providing protection against active spoofing attacks.
9. The AN/DPX-7 is an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)
Transponder used to
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identify and track aircraft, ships, and some ground forces to
reduce friendly fire incidents.
10. Leonardo SeaSpray Maritime Multi-Role Patrol Radar is a
synthetic aperture X-band radar that provides small-target
maritime detection in high seas, maritime search (including
submarine periscopes and semi-submersibles), radar imaging of
ocean targets, and weather detection and avoidance.
11. The C-Band Line-of-Sight (LOS) Ground Data Terminals
and Ku-Band SATCOM GA-ASI Transportable Earth Stations
(GATES) provide command, control, and data acquisition for
the MQ-9B.
12. The KY-1OOM is a lightweight terminal for secure voice
and data communications. The KY-1OOM provides wideband/
narrowband half-duplex communication. Operating in tactical
ground, marine and airborne applications, the KY-1OOM enables
secure communication with a broad range of radio and
satellite equipment.
13. The Honeywell TPE-331-10-GD Turboprop Engine is used in
a variety of airborne platforms, including the MQ-9B.
14. The Rohde & Schwartz UHF/VHF Radio is a multi-band,
portable, two-way communication radio.
15. The KIV-77 Mode 5 crypto applique computer for IFF is
Type 1 certified by the National Security Agency and provides
information assurance for both legacy Mode 4 and new Mode 5
IFF equipment. The KIV-77 is used to store the classified
keys.
16. The AN/APQ-1OC Simple Key Loader is a handheld fill
device for securely receiving, storing, and transferring data
between cryptographic and communications equipment.
17. The Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) is a guidance
set that converts existing unguided bombs (MK-82, MK-83, MK-
84, BLU-109, BLU-110, BLU-111, BLU-117, BLU-126 (Navy) or
BLU-129 warhead) into an accurate, adverse weather ``smart''
munition. The Guidance Set consists of a Tail Kit, which
contains the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and a Global
Positioning System (GPS), and a set of Aerosurfaces and an
umbilical Cover, which allows the JDAM to improve the
accuracy of unguided, general purpose bombs. The Guidance
Set, when combined with a warhead and appropriate fuze, forms
a JDAM Guided Bomb Unit (GBU). The JDAM Guidance Set gives
these bombs adverse weather capability with improved
accuracy. The JDAM weapon can be delivered from modest
standoff ranges at high or low altitudes against a variety of
land and surface targets during the day or night. After
release, JDAM autonomously guides to a target, using the
resident GPS-aided INS guidance system. The JDAM is capable
of receiving target coordinates via preplanned mission data
from the delivery aircraft, by onboard aircraft sensors
(i.e., FLIR, Radar, etc.) during captive carry, or from a
third-party source via manual or automated aircrew cockpit
entry.
a. The KMU-572 is the guidance set for a GBU-38 (500-pound)
JDAM.
18. The Laser JDAM (GBU-54) converts existing unguided
free-fall bombs into precision guided ``smart'' munitions by
adding a new tail section containing Inertial Navigation
System (INS) guidance/Global Positioning System (GPS)
guidance, as well as adds a semi-active laser seeker. This
allows the weapon to strike targets moving at up to 70 mph.
The LJDAM weapon consists of a DSU-38 sensor, a warhead-
specific JDAM guidance set installed on the bomb body, and a
fuze.
19. MK-82 Inert General Purpose (GP) bomb is a 500-pound,
free-fall, unguided, low-drag inert weapon used for
integration testing. There is no explosive fill.
20. GBU-12/58 Paveway II (PW-II) 500-pound (GBU-12) and
250-pound (GBU-58) are maneuverable, free-fall, laser-guided
bombs (LGBs) that guides to reflected laser energy from the
desired target. Employment of the LGB is the same as a normal
general purpose (GP) warhead, except the semi-active guidance
corrects for employment errors inherent in any delivery
system. Laser designation for the weapon can be provided by a
variety of laser target markers or designators from the air
or ground. The Paveway system consists of a laser guidance
kit, a computer control group (CCG), a warhead-specific Air
Foil Group (AFG) that attach to the nose and tail of MK-81
and MK-82 General Purpose (GP) bombs, and a fuze. The weapon
is primarily used for precision bombing against non-hardened
targets.
a. The MAU-169 or the MAU-209 are the CCG for the GBU-12
and GBU-58.
b. The MXU-650 is the AFG for the 500-pound GBU-12.
c. MXU-1006/B is the AFG for the 250-pound GBU-58.
21. AGM-114-R2 Hellfire II Semi-Active Laser (SAL) Missiles
are rail-launched guided missiles developed and produced by
Lockheed Martin. The guidance system employs a SAL seeker.
The SAL missile homes in on the laser energy reflected off a
target that has been illuminated by a laser designator. The
laser can be on either the launch platform or another
platform that can be separated from it by several kilometers.
The target sets are armor, bunkers, caves, enclosures, boats,
and enemy personnel. The AGM-114-R2 Hellfire II missiles use
pulse-coded laser illumination. The R2 variant includes a
Height-of-Burst (HOB)/proximity sensor. The AGM-114 R2
missiles each have a multi-purpose selectable warhead and
inertial measurement unit (IMU)-Aided Trajectories.
22. The GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb Increment 1 (SDB-1) is a
250-pound, GPS-aided inertial navigation system, small
autonomous, day or night, adverse weather, conventional, air-
to-ground precision glide weapon able to strike fixed and
stationary re-locatable non-hardened targets from standoff
ranges. It is intended to provide aircraft with an ability to
carry a high number of bombs. Aircraft are able to carry four
SDBs in place of one 2,000-pound bomb.
a. SDB I Guided Test Vehicle (GTV) is an SDB II
configuration used for land or sea range-based testing of the
SDB I weapon system. The GTV has common flight
characteristics of an SDB I All Up Round (AUR), but in place
of the multi-effects warhead is a Flight Termination,
Tracking, and Telemetry (FTTT) subassembly that mirrors the
AUR multi-effects warhead's size and mass properties, yet
provides safe flight termination, free flight tracking, and
telemetry of encrypted data from the GTV to the data
receivers. The SDB I GTV can have either inert or live fuses.
All other flight control, guidance, data-link, and seeker
functions are representative of the SDB I AUR.
23. The Joint Programmable Fuze (JPF) FMU-139 is a multi-
delay, multi-arm and proximity sensor compatible with general
purpose blast, frag, and hardened-target penetrator weapons.
The JPF settings are cockpit selectable in flight when used
numerous precision-guided weapons. It can interface with
numerous weapons including GBU-12, GBU-58, GBU-54, and GBU-
38.
24. The highest level of classification of defense
articles, components, and services included in this potential
sale is SECRET.
25. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the
information could be used to develop countermeasures that
might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the
development of a system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
26. A determination has been made that the United Arab
Emirates 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.
27. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of the United Arab Emirates.
____________________