[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 32 (Thursday, February 17, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S781-S783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

  Mr. MENENDEZ. 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, February 17, 2022.
     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)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
     amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 22-20, 
     concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Poland for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $6 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,
                                                  James A. Hursch,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosures.


                         transmittal no. 22-20

     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 Poland.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment* $4.4 billion.
       Other $1.6 billion.
       Total $6.0 billion.
       Funding Source: National Funds.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Two hundred fifty (250) M1A2SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks.
       Two hundred fifty (250) AN/VLQ-12 CREW Duke Counter-IED 
     Systems.
       Twenty-six (26) M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery Vehicles.
       Seventeen (17) M1110 Joint Assault Bridges.
       Two hundred seventy-six (276) M2 .50 Caliber Machine Guns.
       Five hundred (500) M240C 7.62mm Machine Guns.
       Fifteen (15) AGT1500 Gas Turbine Engines.
       Nine thousand one hundred sixty-eight (9,168) 120mm M865 
     Target Practice, Cone Stabilized, Discarding Sabot-Tracer 
     (TPCSDS-T) Cartridges.
       Four thousand five hundred ninety-two (4,592) 120mm M1002 
     Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer (TPMP-T) Projectiles.
       Thirteen thousand nine hundred twenty (13,920) 120mm M830A1 
     High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) TP-T Cartridges.
       Six thousand nine hundred sixty (6,960) 120mm XM1147 High 
     Explosive Multipurpose Tracers.
       Non-MDE: Also included are forward repair systems; trailer 
     mounted generators; Common Remote Operated Weapons Station 
     Low Profile (CROWS-LP); communications equipment; GPS 
     receivers; ammunition; spare and repair parts; Special Tools 
     and Test Equipment (STTE); technical manuals and 
     publications; maintenance trainers; gunnery training systems; 
     tank driver's trainers; new equipment training; U.S. 
     Government and contractor technical, engineering, and 
     logistics personnel services; and other related elements of 
     logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Army (PL-B-UDT).
       (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: February 17, 
     2022.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

                  Poland--M1A2 SEPv3 Main Battle Tank

       The Government of Poland has requested to buy two hundred 
     fifty (250) M1A2SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle tanks; two hundred 
     fifty (250) AN/VLQ-12 CREW Duke counter-IED systems; twenty-
     six (26) M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery vehicles; seventeen 
     (17) M1110 joint assault bridges; two hundred seventy-six 
     (276) M2 .50 caliber machine guns; five hundred (500) M240C 
     7.62mm machine guns; fifteen (15) AGT1500 gas turbine 
     engines; nine thousand one hundred sixty-eight (9,168) 120mm 
     M865 Target Practice, Cone Stabilized, Discarding Sabot--
     Tracer (TPCSDS-T) cartridges; four thousand five hundred 
     ninety-two (4,592) 120mm M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose 
     Tracer (TPMP-T) projectiles; thirteen thousand nine hundred 
     twenty (13,920) 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) 
     TP-T cartridges; and six thousand nine hundred sixty (6,960) 
     120mm XM1147 High Explosive multipurpose tracers. Also 
     included are forward repair systems; trailer mounted 
     generators; Common Remote Operated Weapons Station Low 
     Profile (CROWS-LP); communications equipment; GPS receivers; 
     ammunition; spare and repair parts; Special Tools and Test 
     Equipment (STTE); technical manuals and publications; 
     maintenance trainers; gunnery training systems; tank driver's 
     trainers; new equipment training; U.S. Government and 
     contractor technical, engineering, and logistics personnel 
     services; and other related elements of logistics and program 
     support. The total estimated program cost is $6.0 billion.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security of the United States by helping to improve 
     the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political 
     stability and economic progress in Europe.
       The proposed sale will improve Poland's capability to meet 
     current and future threats by providing a credible force that 
     is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO 
     operations. Poland 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 will be General Dynamics Land 
     Systems, Sterling Heights, MI; BAE Systems, York, PA; 
     Leonardo DRS, Arlington, VA; Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, 
     AZ; Raytheon Company, McKinney, TX; and Lockheed Martin, 
     Orlando, FL. There are no known offset agreements proposed in 
     connection with this proposed sale.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will require 
     approximately (22) U.S. Government and (52) U.S. contractor 
     representatives to travel to Poland for a duration of up to 
     five years to support equipment fielding and training.

[[Page S782]]

       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 22-20

     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. M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Tank: The M1A2 Abrams is a third-
     generation American main battle tank, produced by General 
     Dynamics Land Systems and named for General Creighton Abrams. 
     The M1A2 SEPv3 (System Enhancement Package version 3) 
     features include a multi-fuel turbine engine, composite 
     armor, an advanced computer fire control system, separate 
     ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment, and 120mm main 
     gun. Extensive improvements have been integrated into the 
     latest M1A2 SEPv3 configuration. These improvements include 
     improved digital systems, increased electrical power margin 
     to support demands of future technologies, line replaceable 
     modules (LRM) to reduce operational support costs, ammunition 
     data link to support new tank main gun rounds, and an 
     auxiliary power unit (APU). M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank components 
     considered to contain sensitive technology in the proposed 
     sale are as follows:
       a. Thermal Imaging System (TIS) and Commander's Independent 
     Thermal Viewer (CITV):
       (1) The TIS and CITV constitutes a target acquisition 
     system which, when operated with other tank systems gives the 
     tank crew a substantial advantage over the potential threat.
       (2) The TIS provides the Abrams M1A2 crew with the ability 
     to effectively aim and fire the tank main armament system 
     under a broad range of adverse battlefield conditions. The 
     TIS can be operated and viewed by the tank gunner or tank 
     commander, and is the main sighting system for the tanks' 
     main gun (cannon). The CITV provides the same target 
     acquisition system as the TIS, but provides the tank 
     commander a separate system that can be controlled and 
     operated independent of the TIS.
       b. Armor: Major components of the armor are fabricated and 
     assembled into serialized removable subassemblies, and 
     installed in sealed modules.
       c. 120mm Main Gun (Cannon) & M256 Gun Barrel: The Abrams 
     120mm main gun system is composed of a 120 millimeter (mm) 
     smoothbore gun (cannon) also referred to as the M256 gun 
     barrel, manufactured at Watervliet Arsenal; armor-piercing, 
     fin stabilized, discarded sabot (APFSDS) and other warheads; 
     and combustible cartridge case ammunition.
       d. AGT-1500 Gas Turbine Propulsion System: The use of AGT-
     1500 gas turbine propulsion system in the M1A2 is a unique 
     application of armored vehicle power pack technology. The 
     hardware is composed of the AGT-1500 engine and transmission 
     and is not classified. Manufacturing processes associated 
     with the production of turbine blades, recuperator, bearings 
     and shafts, and hydrostatic pump and motor are proprietary 
     and therefore commercially competition sensitive.
       e. Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station--Low Profile 
     (CROWS-LP): The CROWS-LP (M153A2E1) is a commander's weapon 
     station. It allows for operation of weapons--M2HB, M2A1, 
     M240B and M240 machine guns. The CROWS-LP is an updated 
     version of the M153A2 CROWS. The CROWS-LP M153A2E1 has 
     improved performance over the M153A2.
       f. Ammunition Data Link (ADL): The Ammunition Data Link 
     (ADL) is a system consisting of hardware, electronics, 
     software and an upgraded fire control system. The ADL is 
     required to effectively fire the latest generation of 
     ``smart'' 120mm main gun ammunition. The ADL offers the 
     capability to supply data to the main gun ammunition to 
     increase the capability and effectiveness of the smart round. 
     The Advanced Multipurpose (AMP) smart round requires the ADL 
     to function, and is a future enhancement for use with the 
     M1A2 Abrams.
       g. Driver Vision Enhancer--Abrams (DVE-A) AN/VAS-5 and Rear 
     View Sensor System (RVSS):
       (1) The AN/VAS-5 Driver Vision Enhancer--Abrams (DVE-A) and 
     Rear View Sensor System (RVSS) are thermal imaging systems 
     developed for use while driving combat vehicles and tactical 
     wheeled vehicles. The DVE-A provides night vision capability 
     for the Abrams tank driver. RVSS provides a rear view camera 
     for the Abrams tank.
       (2) DVE-A and RVSS allow for tactical vehicle movement in 
     support of operational missions in all environmental 
     conditions (day/night and all weather) and provides enhanced 
     driving capability during limited visibility conditions 
     (darkness, smoke, dust, fog, etc.).
       h. Global Positioning System (GPS) AN/PSN-13 Defense 
     Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR): Global Positioning System (GPS) 
     capability is currently provided to Abrams tanks using the 
     DAGR. The DAGR is a handheld GPS receiver which utilizes 
     Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) security. 
     It is used for the Abrams tank, the M88A2 HERCULES Recovery 
     Vehicle and the Joint Assault Bridge.
       i. Handheld Communication Radio AN/PRC-158: The AN/PRC-158 
     is a multiband handheld radio. It is a portable, compact, 
     tactical software-defined combat-net radio manufactured by 
     L3/Harris Corporation. It is also referred to as the AN/PRC-
     158 Multi-Channel Manpack Radio System. The AN/PRC-158 has 
     been fielded since 2005 by the U.S. Army, the USMC, and 
     various select countries. It is used for the Abrams tank, the 
     M88A2 HERCULES Recovery Vehicle and the Joint Assault Bridge.
       j. Battle Management System (BMS): The BMS for the Poland 
     SEPv3 tank will consist of a Data Distribution Unit--
     Expandable (DDUx), a transceiver, and commercial software 
     called Sitaware. It equips soldiers with secure data 
     encryption and advanced logistics. It includes an intuitive 
     interface with features like touch-to-zoom maps and drag-and-
     drop icons. It is used for the Abrams tank, the M88A2 
     HERCULES Recovery Vehicle and the Joint Assault Bridge.
       k. Counter Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Device 
     (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) Duke AN/VLQ-12: The AN/VLQ-
     12 CREW Duke system is a vehicle-mounted, lightweight system 
     that neutralizes RCIED threats and gives troops a tactical 
     advantage across the full spectrum of operations. It is the 
     U.S. Army's state-of-the-art security enhancement to the U.S. 
     Army Abrams tank. The AN/VLQ-12 CREW Duke system uses an 
     advanced software-defined architecture that supports rapid 
     reconfiguration to adapt to the constantly evolving threat 
     environment.
       2. M88A2 HERCULES Recovery Vehicle: The primary role of the 
     M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting 
     Extraction System (HERCULES) Combat Recovery Vehicle is 
     recovery of the Abrams M1 Main Battle Tank. The 70-ton M88A2 
     Recovery Combat Vehicle is standard equipment to de-process, 
     recover, and sustain the Abrams M1 Tank. The vehicle's role 
     is to extricate combat vehicles that have become bogged down 
     or entangled; and to repair or replace damaged parts in 
     fighting vehicles while under fire. The M88A2 main winch is 
     capable of 70-ton single line recovery; and a 140-ton 2:1 
     recovery when used with a 140-ton pulley. The A-frame boom of 
     the M88A2 can lift 35 tons when used in conjunction with the 
     spade down. The spade can be used for light earth moving and 
     to anchor the vehicle when using the main winch. The M88A2 
     employs an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to provide auxiliary 
     electrical and hydraulic power when the main engine is not in 
     operation; the APU can also be used to slave start other 
     vehicles. The M88A2 recovery vehicle components considered to 
     contain sensitive technology in the proposed case are as 
     follows:
       a. AVDS-1790-8CR Engine Propulsion System: The AVDS-1790-
     8CR is a unique modification to the standard piston engine 
     family in the M60 series and the base M88Al.
       b. Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE-CV M88): Driver's Vision 
     Enhancer (DVE-CV M88) is a thermal imaging system developed 
     for use while driving Combat Vehicles (CVs) and Tactical 
     Wheeled Vehicles (TWVs). It allows for tactical vehicle 
     movement in support of operational missions in all 
     environmental conditions (day/night and all weather) and 
     provides enhanced driving capability during limited 
     visibility conditions (darkness, smoke, dust, fog, etc). The 
     DVE provides night vision targeting capabilities for armored 
     vehicles and long-range night vision reconnaissance 
     capability to the warfighter. The DVE-CV for M88 vehicle is a 
     platform-mounted night vision device (not man-portable), 
     requires external power supply and is integrated into the 
     vehicle.
       3. M1110 Joint Assault Bridge: The M1110 Joint Assault 
     Bridge (JAB) is a fully tracked armor engineer vehicle 
     specifically designed to replace the M48/M60 AVLB, M104 
     Wolverine HAB and provide assault bridging capabilities to 
     armored forces. The JAB System consists of an M1A1 Abrams 
     chassis (with A2 heavy suspension) and a hydraulic bridge 
     launch mechanism that will launch and retrieve the Heavy 
     Assault Scissor Bridge MLC-115 Normal and MLC-124 Caution. 
     The JAB contains:
       a. Armor: Major components of the armor are fabricated and 
     assembled into serialized removable subassemblies, and 
     installed in sealed modules.
       b. AGT-1500 Gas Turbine Propulsion System: The use of AGT-
     1500 gas turbine propulsion system in the JAB is a unique 
     application of armored vehicle power pack technology. The 
     hardware is composed of the AGT-1500 engine and transmission.
       c. Driver Vision Enhancer--JAB (DVE) and Rear View Sensor 
     System (RVSS): The Driver Vision Enhancer (DVE) used on the 
     JAB is the DVE-10 and Rear View Sensor System (RVSS) both are 
     thermal imaging systems developed for use while driving 
     combat vehicles and tactical wheeled vehicles. The DVE 
     provides night vision capability for the JAB driver. The RVSS 
     provides a rear view camera for the JAB. DVE and RVSS allow 
     for tactical vehicle movement in support of operational 
     missions in all environmental conditions (day/night and all 
     weather) and provides enhanced driving capability during 
     limited visibility conditions (darkness, smoke, dust, fog, 
     etc.).
       4. M830A1 120mm High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) TP-T 
     Cartridges is a chemical energy, multi-purpose projectile 
     with an anti-personnel capability. The round consists of a 
     fin stabilized steel body which is loaded with Composition A3 
     Type II explosive. The fins are canted and impart spin to the 
     projectile. A copper shaped charge liner and wave shaper are 
     contained within the warhead.
       5. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
     components, and services included in this potential sale is 
     SECRET.
       6. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain 
     knowledge of the specific

[[Page S783]]

     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.
       7. A determination has been made that Poland will 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.
       8. All defense articles and services listed in this 
     transmittal have been authorized for release and export to 
     the Government of Poland.

                          ____________________