[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 6, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6990-S6992]
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,

                                                   Washington, DC.
     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. 22-71, 
     concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Poland for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $3.75 billion. We will issue a 
     news release to notify the public of

[[Page S6991]]

     this proposed sale upon delivery of this letter to your 
     office.
           Sincerely,
                                                  James A. Hursch,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosures.
       Transmittal No. 22-71
     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: Republic of Poland.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment * $3.25 
     billion.
       Other $0.50 billion.
       Total $3.75 billion.
       Funding Source: National Funds and Foreign Military 
     Financing (FMF).
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       One hundred sixteen (116) M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks.
       Twelve (12) M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery Vehicles.
       Eight (8) M1110 Joint Assault Bridges.
       Six (6) M577A3 Command Vehicles.
       Twenty-six (26) M1152A1 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled 
     Vehicles (HMMWVs).
       Twenty-six (26) M1279A1 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles 
     (JLTV).
       One hundred sixteen (116) M2 .50 Caliber Machine Guns.
       Two hundred thirty-two (232) M240 7.62mm Machine Guns.
       Six (6) AGT1500 Gas Turbine Engines.
       Thirty thousand nine hundred twenty-eight (30,928) 120mm 
     M865 Target Practice; Cone Stabilized, Discarding Sabot--
     Tracer (TPCSDS-T) Cartridges.
       Twenty thousand eight hundred twenty-three (20,823) 120mm 
     M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer (TPMP-T) 
     Projectiles.
       Sixty thousand (60,000) 120mm M829A4 Armor Piercing, Fin 
     Stabilized, Discarding Sabot-Tracer (APFSDS-T) Cartridges.
       Two thousand (2,000) 120mm M829A3 Armor Piercing, Fin 
     Stabilized, Discarding Sabot-Tracer (APFSDS-T) Cartridges.
       Fifty thousand (50,000) 120mm M829A2 Armor Piercing, Fin 
     Stabilized, Discarding Sabot-Tracer (APFSDS-T) Cartridges.
       Ten thousand (10,000) 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank 
     (HEAT) TP-T Cartridges.
       Sixty thousand (60,000) 120mm M908 High Explosive Obstacle 
     Reduction-Tracer (HE-OR-T) Cartridges.
       Seventy thousand (70,000) 120mm M1147 High Explosive 
     Advanced Multipurpose Round Cartridges.
       Non-MDE: Also included are Forward Repair Systems; Next 
     Generation (NG) Shop Equipment Maintenance Contact (SECM) 
     shelters; communications equipment; GPS receivers; 
     ammunition; Spare and Repair Parts; Special Tools and Test 
     Equipment (STTE); technical manuals and publications; new 
     equipment training; U.S. Government and contractor technical 
     engineering, logistics, and personnel services; and other 
     related elements of logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Army (PL-B-UEC, PL-B-UED, PL-B-
     UEE).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: PL-B-UDT.
       (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: December 6, 2022.
       *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          policy justification

                 Poland--M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks

       The Government of Poland has requested to buy one hundred 
     sixteen (116) M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks; twelve (12) 
     M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery Vehicles; eight (8) M1110 
     Joint Assault Bridges; six (6) M577A3 Command Vehicles; 
     twenty-six (26) M1152A1 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled 
     Vehicles (HMMWV); twenty-six (26) M1279A1 Joint Light 
     Tactical Vehicles (JLTV); one hundred sixteen (116) M2 .50 
     caliber machine guns; two hundred thirty-two (232) M240 
     7.62mm machine guns; six (6) AGT1500 gas turbine engines; 
     thirty thousand nine hundred twenty-eight (30,928) 120mm M865 
     Target Practice, Cone Stabilized, Discarding Sabot--Tracer 
     (TPCSDS-T) cartridges; twenty thousand eight hundred twenty-
     three (20,823) 120mm M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose 
     Tracer (TPMP-T) projectiles; sixty thousand (60,000) 120mm 
     M829A4 Armor Piercing, Fin Stabilized, Discarding Sabot-
     Tracer (APFSDS-T) cartridges; two thousand (2,000) 120mm 
     M829A3 Armor Piercing, Fin Stabilized, Discarding Sabot-
     Tracer (APFSDS-T) cartridges; fifty thousand (50,000) 120mm 
     M829A2 Armor Piercing, Fin Stabilized, Discarding Sabot-
     Tracer (APFSDS-T) Cartridges; ten thousand (10,000) 120mm 
     M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) TP-T cartridges; sixty 
     thousand (60,000) 120mm M908 High Explosive Obstacle 
     Reduction-Tracer (HE-OR-T) cartridges; and seventy thousand 
     (70,000) 120mm M1147 High Explosive Advanced Multipurpose 
     Round cartridges. Also included are Forward Repair Systems; 
     Next Generation (NG) Shop Equipment Maintenance Contact 
     (SECM) shelters; communications equipment; GPS receivers; 
     ammunition; Spare and Repair Parts; Special Tools and Test 
     Equipment (STTE); technical manuals and publications; new 
     equipment training; U.S. Government and contractor technical 
     engineering, logistics, and personnel services; and other 
     related elements of logistics and program support. The total 
     estimated program cost is $3.75 billion.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals 
     and national security objectives of the United States by 
     improving 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 contractor(s) will be AAR, Wood Dale, IL; 
     Allison Transmissions, Birmingham, AL; Anniston Army Depot, 
     Anniston, AL; BAE Systems, Sterling Heights, MI; General 
     Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), Sterling Heights, MI; 
     Honeywell, Phoenix, AZ; L3Harris, Melbourne, FL; Leonardo 
     DRS, West Plains, MO; Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, MD; Palomar, 
     Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; Pearson Engineering, Phoenix, AZ; 
     and US Ordnance, McCarran, NV. There are no known offset 
     agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will require temporary 
     duty travel of three to five U.S. Government and contractor 
     representatives to Poland for a duration of up to five years 
     to support equipment fielding and training.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 22-71

     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. M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank: The M1A1 Abrams is a 
     first-generation American main battle tank, produced by 
     General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and named for General 
     Creighton Abrams. M1A1 Abrams tank components are as follows:
       a. Fire Enhancement Program (FEP): The FEP is the USMC M1A1 
     tank equivalent to the US Army domestic 2nd GEN FLIR. The 
     main difference between the two is in the switch-ology, with 
     the FEP having four (4) Search/Stare options as opposed to 
     the six (6) available on the 2nd GEN FLIR. The FEP provides 
     lethality upgrades to increase the M1A1 tank crew's ability 
     to detect, recognize, and identify targets. It hosts a 
     second-generation thermal sight (Abrams Integrated Display 
     and Targeting System-AIDATS), a North Finding Module/Far 
     Target Location capability displayed in sight (providing up 
     to 50x digital magnification), and Embedded diagnostics to 
     help troubleshoot the system. The FEP increases all-weather 
     engagement ranges, crew situational awareness and target 
     location accuracy.
       b. Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) 9181E: The IRU is an 
     inertial navigation system that provides accurate vehicle 
     heading, attitude, position, elevation and navigation 
     information to the host vehicle prime system and operators, 
     both stationary and when moving under all operating 
     conditions.
       The Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) can be configured as a 
     navigator (NavPAC) or as a pointing device (North Finding 
     Module, NFM). In either configuration, the IRU contains a GPS 
     receiver that provides vehicle location and velocities as 
     well as satellite tracking status. These GPS observations are 
     used by the IRU's Kalman filter to improve and enhance its 
     performance. The GPS unit is a Ground-Based GPS Receiver 
     Application Module (GB-GRAM) provided by Rockwell-Collins. 
     The Miniature PLGR Engine-SAASM (MPE-S), when keyed, provides 
     the Precise Positioning System (PPS) GPS data inputs to the 
     system. The system is a Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing 
     Module (SAASM) based PPS GPS. The SAASM encapsulates all 
     classified data and signal processing into one tamper-proof 
     module. The SAASM provides jamming and spoofing protection 
     for US and allied forces operating in hostile environments.
       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; 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 M1A1 is a unique 
     application of armored vehicle power pack technology.
       e. Stabilized Commander's Weapon Station--(SCWS): The SCWS 
     provides day/night remote operation of the stabilized 
     Commander's machine gun in closed hatch mode while enhancing 
     Situational Awareness (provides CITV-like capability to the 
     Tank Commander Lethality). The SCWS uses a Remote Thermal 
     Sight (RTS) and the Abrams Integrated Display and Targeting 
     System (AIDATS) color display to generate motorized azimuth 
     and elevation variables.
       Abrams Integrated Display and Targeting System (AIDATS) 
     operates in conjunction with the Tank Commander Single Handle 
     and slew-to-cue capabilities to maximize accuracy, range, and 
     lethality on the battlefield while decreasing enemy 
     engagement time by half. The AIDATS provides an upgraded 
     thermal and day sight on the SCWS via a high-definition 
     camera and permanently mounted color display.

[[Page S6992]]

       f. Driver Vision Enhancer--Abrams (DVE-A) AN/VAS-5 and Rear 
     View Sensor System (RVSS): 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.
       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.).
       g. 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.
       h. Handheld Communication Radio AN/PRC-158: The AN/PRC-158 
     is a Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency (VHF/UHF) 
     multiband multi-channel (dual channel) radio. It is a 
     portable, compact, tactical software-defined combat-net radio 
     manufactured by L3/Harris Corporation. The AN/PRC-158 
     includes Type 1 encryption and a Selective Availability Anti-
     Spoofing Module (SAASM) Global Positioning System (GPS) 
     receiver.
       i. Battle Management System (BMS): The BMS for the Poland 
     M1A1 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.
       j. AN/PVS-14, Night Vision Goggles: The AN/PVS-14 Night 
     Vision Goggle (NVG) is a lightweight, head-mounted self-
     contained night vision system. It is used in starlight and 
     moonlight by individual soldiers for walking, driving 
     vehicles, weapon firing, short-range surveillance, and such 
     manual tasks as map reading, vehicle maintenance and 
     administering medical aid. Each NVG consists of an objective 
     lens assembly, image intensifier tube assembly and two 
     eyepiece assemblies integrated into a housing. The housing is 
     affixed to a head mount, which is held by head straps to a 
     user's head. The assembly incorporates an infrared (IR) 
     emitting light source, which provides illumination, when 
     required, for close-up viewing. Eyepiece diopter adjustment 
     is provided so the device may be worn without corrective 
     lens.
       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.
       a. AVDS-1790-8CR Engine Propulsion System is a unique 
     modification to the standard piston engine family in the M60 
     series and the base M88A1.
       b. Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE-CV M88) is an un-cooled 
     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.
       c. Handheld Communication Radio AN/PRC-158 is a multiband 
     handheld radio. It is a portable, compact, tactical software-
     defined combat-net radio manufactured by L3/Harris 
     Corporation.
       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.
       4. Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV): The Joint Light 
     Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program is a light tactical vehicle 
     designed to replace the U.S. Military's aging High Mobility 
     Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle fleet. It was designed to close 
     the existing gap in payload, performance, and protection to 
     our adversaries during multi-domain operations. It has been 
     an operationally optimal choice for the light tactical 
     vehicle mission spectrum anywhere in the world. All JLTV 
     mission variants include a strong balance of protection, 
     maneuverability, speed, reliability, and combat support/
     combat service support capability that far surpasses any 
     similar vehicle developed in its weight class today.
       a. The JLTV is designed to be a system of system. System of 
     systems is a ``set or arrangement of systems that results 
     when independent and useful systems are integrated into a 
     larger system that delivers unique capabilities. The Joint 
     Light Tactical Vehicle allows material and equipment from 
     authorized contractors or industrial facilities used by U.S. 
     forces in tactical operations and managed by other Program 
     Offices that may have considered a type of classification. 
     Other than its classified armor and ballistic protection, the 
     JLTV is considered an unclassified tactical system. When 
     adding integration C4ISR systems (installed or mounted), 
     electronic countermeasures jamming devices, navigation 
     systems or battle management systems to the JLTV, these 
     integrated or installed system will increase the over 
     security classification to the vehicle.
       b. The JLTV's A/B Armor protection technical and test data 
     of armor coupon, ballistic hull exploitation, Behind Armor 
     Debris (BAD) and Full Up System Level (FUSL) Live Fire test 
     data and protection levels to include Under Body (UB) blast, 
     Under Wheel (UW) blast, Under Body (UB) IED, side attack (SA) 
     IED, direct fire, and artillery enhancements are all 
     classified technical information. The JLTV has inherent armor 
     built into the base vehicle. It is what the US Government 
     (USG) calls A-Kit armor. This A-Kit Inherent armor provides 
     both opaque and transparent armor solutions to provide a 360-
     degree azimuthal (i.e., all around) to include an elevated 
     fire level of protection from a spectrum of kinetic energy/
     small arms fire threats with survivability enhancements to 
     include Automatic Fire Extinguishing Protection (AFES) and 
     structural rollover protection of 150% of the vehicle Ground 
     Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The B-kit includes: 1) a 
     combined underbody deflector plate and Energy Absorbent (EA) 
     seat mechanisms to mitigate occupant incapacity (per Annex Q) 
     for both anti-tank land mine blast and Improvised Explosive 
     Device (IED) blast and fragmentation kill mechanisms, 2) a 
     design that provides a higher level protection against 
     significantly larger Under Wheel (UW) blast threats that also 
     leverages vehicle frontal and rear tear-away structural 
     design lessons learned from OEF and OIF, 3) a direct fire B-
     kit that adds on to the Inherent armor/A-Kit to defeat a 
     higher level all-around direct fire threat, side attack IED 
     attack blast and fragmentation kill mechanisms, with 
     additional roof armor for top attack threats that include 
     direct fire and artillery enhancements.
       c. C4ISR systems (installed or mounted), electronic 
     countermeasures jamming devices, navigation systems or battle 
     management systems that are integrated or installed system in 
     the JLTV will follow the same security guidelines based on 
     their program security classification guide.
       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 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 Republic of Poland.

                          ____________________