[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 93 (Thursday, May 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3879-S3881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. MENENDEZ. 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. Robert Menendez,
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. 21-38,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Australia for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $1.651 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. 21-38
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 Australia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $.651 billion.
Other $1.000 billion.
Total $1.651 billion.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to twelve (12) Weapons-Ready MQ-9B, Remotely Piloted
Aircraft.
Fifteen (15) Raytheon Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems-D
(MTS-D) EO/IR Sensors.
Sixteen (16) Lynx AN/APY-8 Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR)
with Ground Moving Target Indicator (GTMI).
Fifteen (15) RIOTM Communication Intelligence
Systems.
Thirty-six (36) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial
Navigations Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-
Spoofing Modules (SAASMs).
Six (6) 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.
Four (4) 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.
Five (5) High Bandwidth Compact Telemetry Modules (HCTMs).
Non-MDE: Also included are Honeywell aircraft engines;
Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCSs); mobile Satellite
Communication Ground Data Terminals (SGDTs); Leonardo SAGE
750 Electronic Surveillance Measures System (ESM); GATES/RSO/
[[Page S3880]]
GRMA; Automatic Information System (AIS); ARC-210 radios; AN/
DPX-7 IFF transponders; General Dynamics Satellite
Communication (SATCOM) antennas and Hughes modems with USG
encryption; Leonardo/Selex SeaSpray 7500 maritime radars; KY-
100M security voice terminals; KIV-77 Mode 4/5 IFF
cryptographic appliques; AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loaders; U.S.
Government Certified Encryption Solution; KOR-24A Small
Tactical Terminal Link-16; Sierra Nevada Electronic
Intelligence System; additional secure communications and
cryptographic equipment; MQ-9B training simulator; Hellfire
Training Missiles, missile rail kits and integration; M-299
Hellfire Rail Launchers; DSU-38 Laser Illuminated Target
Detector for GBU-54; MK-81 General Purpose Bombs 250lb Inert
Bombs; aircraft and weapons integration, test, and test
equipment; additional ground support and test equipment;
initial spare repair parts; repair & return; 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 (AT-D-SAG).
(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: April 23, 2021.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Australia--MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft
The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to
twelve (12) Weapons-Ready MQ-9B, Remotely Piloted Aircraft;
fifteen (15) Raytheon Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems-D
(MTS-D) EO/IR sensors; sixteen (16) Lynx AN/APY-8 Synthetic
Aperture Radars (SAR) with Ground Moving Target Indicator
(GTMI); fifteen (15) RIOTM Communication
Intelligence Systems; thirty-six (36) Embedded Global
Positioning System/Inertial Navigations Systems (EGI) with
Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules (SAASMs); six
(6) 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; four (4) 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; five (5) High Bandwidth Compact
Telemetry Modules (HCTMs). Also included are Honeywell
aircraft engines; Certifiable Ground Control Stations
(CGCSs); mobile Satellite Communication Ground Data Terminals
(SGDTs); Leonardo SAGE 750 Electronic Surveillance Measures
System (ESM); GATES/RSO/GRMA; Automatic Information System
(AIS); ARC-210 radios; AN/DPX-7 IFF transponders; General
Dynamics Satellite Communication (SATCOM) antennas and Hughes
modems with USG encryption; Leonardo/Selex SeaSpray 7500
maritime radars; KY-l00M security voice terminals; KIV-77
Mode 4/5 IFF cryptographic appliques; AN/PYQ-1OC Simple Key
Loaders; U.S. Government Certified Encryption Solution; KOR-
24A Small Tactical Terminal Link-16; Sierra Nevada Electronic
Intelligence System; additional secure communications and
cryptographic equipment; MQ-9B training simulator; Hellfire
Training Missiles, missile rail kits and integration; M-299
Hellfire Rail Launchers; DSU-38 Laser Illuminated Target
Detector for GBU-54; MK-81 General Purpose Bombs 250lb Inert
Bombs; aircraft and weapons integration, test, and test
equipment; additional ground support and test equipment;
initial spare repair parts; repair & return; 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 $1.651 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States. Australia
is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific.
The strategic location of this political and economic power
contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic
stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national
interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a
strong and ready self-defense capability.
The proposed sale improves Australia's capability to meet
current and future threats by providing timely Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (1SR), target acquisition,
locate submarine capabilities, and counter-land and counter-
surface sea capabilities for its security and defense. This
sale will enhance interoperability between the U.S. Air Force
and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Australia has
demonstrated a commitment to modernizing its military and
will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its
armed forces.
The principal contractors will be General Atomic
Aeronautical Systems Inc., San Diego, CA; Lockheed Martin
Inc., Bethesda, MD; Raytheon Inc., Waltham MA; and Leonardo
SpA, Rome, Italy. The purchaser typically requests offsets.
Any offset agreement 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 to Australia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 21-38
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 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-I system.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. The Honeywell TPE-331-10-GD Turboprop Engine is used in
a variety of airborne platforms, including the MQ-9B.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. The ARC-210 UHF/VHF secure radio is a voice
communications radio system that can operate in either
normal, secure, and/or jam-resistant modes.
12. 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
[[Page S3881]]
near real-time tactical information, including both data and
voice, among air, ground, and sea elements.
13. The AN/DPX-7 is an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)
Transponder used to identify and track aircraft, ships, and
some ground forces to reduce friendly fire incidents.
14. The KY-100M is a lightweight terminal for secure voice
and data communications. The KY-100M provides wideband/
narrowband half-duplex communication. Operating in tactical
ground, marine and airborne applications, the KY-100M enables
secure communication with a broad range of radio and
satellite equipment.
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-10C 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 fuse, forms
a JDAM Guided Bomb Unit (GBU). 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., FUR, Radar, etc.) during
captive carry, or from a third-party source via manual or
automated aircrew cockpit entry.
The KMU-572 is the guidance set for a GBU-38 (500-pound
bomb body) JDAM Tail Kit.
18. The Laser JDAM (GBU-54) is a 500-pound JDAM that
incorporates all the capabilities of the JDAM guidance kit
and adds a precision laser guidance set. The Guidance Set
consists of a Tail Kit, which contains the Inertial
Navigation System (INS) and a Global Positioning System (GPS)
receiver, a set of Aerosurfaces and an umbilical cover, which
allows the JDAM to improve the accuracy of unguided, general
purpose bombs. The Laser JDAM (LJDAM) adds the DSU-38/40
sensor, which gives the system a semi-active laser seeker.
This allows the weapon to strike targets moving at up to 70
mph.
19. 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 fuse. 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.
20. 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.
21. MK-81 Inert GP bomb is a 250-pound inert training
ordnance representative in size and weight of an explosive
filled bomb to simulate either a free-fall 250-pound bomb or
precision guided munition.
22. The Joint Programmable Fuse (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.
23. The highest level of classification of defense
articles, components, and services included in this potential
sale is SECRET.
24. 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.
25. A determination has been made that the Government of
Australia 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.
26. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Australia.
____________________