[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 62 (Friday, March 31, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19274-19278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06742]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Transmittal No. 21-64]
Arms Sales Notification
AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense
(DoD).
ACTION: Arms sales notice.
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SUMMARY: The DoD is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales
notification.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Hedlund at
[email protected] or (703) 697-9214.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is
published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-
164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Transmittal 21-64 with
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.
Dated: March 27, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN31MR23.030
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Transmittal No. 21-64
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 Greece
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment *................ $1.5 billion
Other.................................... $1.0 billion
------------------------------
TOTAL................................ $2.5 billion
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of Greece has
requested to buy equipment and services to repair, update, and enhance
their four (4) existing Hellenic Navy (HN) MEKO Class frigates. These
upgrades will include the following:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Eight (8) Close in Weapon Systems (CIWS) Phalanx BLK 1B Baseline 2
Upgrade Kits
Four (4) MK 45, 5'' 54 Caliber Gun Overhauls
[[Page 19276]]
Four (4) MK 49 Guided Missile Launcher Systems
Four (4) COMBATSS-21 Combat Management Systems
Four (4) AN/SQS-56 Sonar Overhauls
Non-MDE:
Also included is the repair and/or upgrade of existing systems;
ordnance; testing; training; systems integration; follow-on technical
support; acquisition, upgrades, and overhaul of Narwhal 20A Gun System;
Sylena MK 2 Decoy Launching System with CANTO torpedo countermeasure;
Radar/Fire Control TRS-4D; Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5;
NIXIE SLQ-25 Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System; Helicopter Handling
System (Repairs); Defense Advance GPS Receiver (DAGR); Gun Computer
System (GCS); Low Frequency Active Towed Sonar (LFATS); Compact Low
Frequency Active Passive Variable Depth Sonar-2 (CAPTAS-2); Infrared
Search & Track System (IRST); Elta Electronic Warfare (EW), with C-ESM,
R-ESM, and ECM capability; Naval Laser-Warning System (NLWS); 7 meter
Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB); SQQ-89 ASW System; Fire Control
Radar System; Improved Point Detection System-Lifecycle Replacement
(IPDS-LR); Enhanced Maritime Biological Detection (EMBD), as well as
significant Hull, Mechanical and Electrical upgrades, replacements, and
repairs; support and test equipment; spare and repair parts;
communications equipment, including Link 16 communications equipment;
Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System (BICES); AN/
SRQ-4 Tactical Common Datalink (TCDL); Global Command and Control
System-Joint (GCCS-J); Air Defense Systems Integrator (ADSI);
cryptographic equipment including SY-150, SY-117G, and KYV-5M; software
delivery and support; publications and technical documentation;
personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and
contractor engineering, systems integration, technical, and logistics
support services; test and trials support; studies and surveys; and
other related elements of logistical and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (GR-P-LJO)
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be
Paid: None known
(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 10, 2021
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Greece--MEKO Class Frigate Modernization
The Government of Greece has requested to buy equipment and
services to repair, update, and enhance their four (4) existing
Hellenic Navy (HN) MEKO Class frigates. These upgrades will include the
following: eight (8) Close in Weapon Systems (CIWS) Phalanx BLK 1B
Baseline 2 upgrade kits; four (4) MK 45, 5'' 54 caliber gun overhauls;
four (4) MK 49 Guided Missile Launcher Systems; four (4) COMBATSS-21
Combat Management Systems; and, four (4) AN/SQS-56 Sonar overhauls.
Also included is the repair and/or upgrade of existing systems;
ordnance; testing; training; systems integration; follow-on technical
support; acquisition, upgrades, and overhaul of Narwhal 20A Gun System;
Sylena MK 2 Decoy Launching System with CANTO torpedo countermeasure;
Radar/Fire Control TRS-4D; Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5;
NIXIE SLQ-25 Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System; Helicopter Handling
System (Repairs); Defense Advance GPS Receiver (DAGR); Gun Computer
System (GCS); Low Frequency Active Towed Sonar (LFATS); Compact Low
Frequency Active Passive Variable Depth Sonar-2 (CAPTAS-2); Infrared
Search & Track System (IRST); Elta Electronic Warfare (EW), with C-ESM,
R-ESM, and ECM capability; Naval Laser-Warning System (NLWS); 7 meter
Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB); SQQ-89 ASW System; Fire Control
Radar System; Improved Point Detection System-Lifecycle Replacement
(IPDS-LR); Enhanced Maritime Biological Detection (EMBD), as well as
significant Hull, Mechanical and Electrical upgrades, replacements, and
repairs; support and test equipment; spare and repair parts;
communications equipment, including Link 16 communications equipment;
Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System (BICES); AN/
SRQ-4 Tactical Common Datalink (TCDL); Global Command and Control
System-Joint (GCCS-J); Air Defense Systems Integrator (ADSI);
cryptographic equipment including SY-150, SY-117G, and KYV-5M; software
delivery and support; publications and technical documentation;
personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and
contractor engineering, systems integration, technical, and logistics
support services; test and trials support; studies and surveys; and
other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated
total cost is $2.5 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national
security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the
security of a NATO ally, which is an important partner for political
stability and economic progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve Greece's capability to meet current
and future threats by providing an effective combatant deterrent
capability to protect maritime interests and infrastructure in support
of its strategic location on NATO's southern flank. This acquisition,
which will be awarded to the winner of an international competition for
the Hellenic Navy (HN) MEKO Class Frigate Upgrade, will enhance
stability and maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean region and
contribute to security and strategic objectives of NATO and the United
States. Greece contributes to NATO operations in Kosovo, as well as to
counterterrorism and counter-piracy maritime efforts. Greece will have
no difficulty absorbing these articles and services 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 Raytheon Missiles and Defense,
Waltham, MA; Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, MD; BAE Systems, Arlington, VA;
and VSE Corporation, Alexandria, VA. There are no known offset
agreements in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of
3 additional U.S. Government and (5) contractor representatives, Full-
Time Equivalent (FTE) positions to Greece.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 21-64
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:
[[Page 19277]]
1. The MEKO Class Frigate Modernization (Upgrades) will provide
Greece with an increased ability to identify, engage, and defeat
maritime security threats in open waters of the Mediterranean and
Aegean Seas (NATO's Southern Flank). These enhancements will deliver
protection-in-depth for Greece's industrial infrastructure and sea
lines of communication.
a. Close in Weapon Systems (CIWS) MK 15 Phalanx BLK 1B Baseline 2
Upgrade Kits is a close-in weapon system for defense against incoming
threats such as small boats, surface torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and
helicopters. It was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics
Corporation, Pomona Division later a part of Raytheon. The upgraded MK
15 Phalanx 1B Baseline 2 improves detection performance, increases
reliability, and reduces maintenance. It also has a surface mode to
track, detect, and destroy threats closer to the water's surface,
increasing the ability to defend against fast-attack boats and low-
flying missiles.
b. MK 45, 5'' 54 Caliber Gun overhaul by performing a Standard
Pier-Side Maintenance & Repair (SPMR) of the MK 45 Gun Systems. The MK
45 Gun is a fully-automatic naval gun mount employed against surface
(Anti-Surface Warfare--ASuW), air (Anti-Air Warfare--AAW), and land
attack (Naval Surface Fire Support--NSFS) targets.
c. MK 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) is used to deploy
the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM).
d. COMBATSS-21 is the ship's battle management system, which is
produced by Lockheed Martin and derived from the USN's latest AEGIS
combat management system. The COMBATSS-21 Combat Management System is
the backbone of the Freedom-variant self-defense suite and integrates
the radar, electro-optical infrared cameras, gun fire control system,
countermeasures and short-range anti-air missiles.
e. Upgrading the existing AN/SQS-56 Sonar is accomplished by
replacement of defective transducers and staves and upgrading the
electronics in the Hull Mounted Sonar as well as the SQS-56 adjunct
processor. The AN/SQS-56 is a modern hull-mounted sonar. The sonar is
an active/passive, preformed beam, digital sonar providing panoramic
echo ranging and panoramic (DIMUS) passive surveillance. A single
operator can search, track, classify and designate multiple targets
from the active system while simultaneously maintaining anti-torpedo
surveillance on the passive display.
f. The 20mm Narwhal gun system is a gyro-stabilized mount armed
with a 20mm automatic cannon, an electro-optic, charge-coupled device
camera, and a closed loop, fire-control system, which can be controlled
remotely to enable system operation, target acquisition and tracking,
and fire opening by the gun operator. Optional add-ons include a
thermal camera, laser rangefinder and target automatic tracking video
system. The 20mm gun has a firing rate of 800 rounds per minute of NATO
standard ammunition, and is produced by the French Government-owned
Nexter Systems.
g. Sylena MK 2 Decoy Launching System with CANTO is a torpedo
countermeasure. The Sylena MK 2 launches the CANTO decoy, which
generates a high-level, 360-degree acoustic signal to jam the full
frequency range of an attacking torpedo. Sylena MK 2 is available
internationally from Lacroix; CANTO from Naval Group.
h. TRS-4D radar is a three-dimensional, air volume surveillance
radar with fast target alert, which provides target designation to the
combat management system for anti-air warfare (AAW) and anti-surface
warfare (ASuW). The TRS-4D radar is manufactured by Hensoldt a German
company. It provides sensor support for surface gun fire control with
splash detection, ship-controlled helicopter approach support, jammer
detection, tracking and suppression, cued search with enhanced
detection performance for a dedicated sector, cued track with high-
accuracy target tracking for missile guidance, and target
classification, integrated IFF, and is integrated with the combat
management system. The system is available internationally through
Hensoldt.
i. Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5 is an identification
system designed for command and control. It enables military and
national (civilian air traffic control) interrogation systems to
identify aircraft, vehicles or forces as friendly. Mode 5 provides a
cryptographically secured version of Mode S and ADS-8 GPS position.
j. AN/ARC-210 GEN 6 (RT-2036(C)) version is a radio that provides
two-way, multi-mode voice and data communications with military
aircraft over Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
range using U.S. Type 1 encryption. ARC-210 radios contain embedded
sensitive encryption algorithms, keying material and integrated
waveforms.
k. SY-117G is a combat manpack radio with Type 1 encryption for
secure voice communication. In the HN MEKO Upgrade configuration, the
radio will be used for interoperable, secure Satellite Communications
(SATCOM). The SY-117G COMSEC device is a Controlled Cryptographic Item
(CCI).
l. SY-150 is a combat manpack radio with Type 1 encryption. The SY-
150 COMSEC device is a CCI.
m. KYV-5M supports tactical secure voice communications. The KYV-5M
COMSEC device is a CCI.
n. The Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System
(BICES) is a web-enabled, multi-national intelligence system that
provides near real-time, correlated, situation and order of battle
information.
o. Global Command and Control System-Joint (GCCS-J) is a command,
control, communications, computers, and intelligence system consisting
of hardware, software (commercial-off-the-shelf and government-off-the-
shelf), procedures, standards, and interfaces that provide an
integrated near real-time picture of the battlespace necessary to
conduct joint and multinational operations. For the HN MEKO Upgrade
configuration, GCCS-J will use Type 1 encryption.
p. Air Defense Systems Integrator (ADSI) is a tactical command and
control system that integrates land, air and sea domains to report
real-time sensor information across the battlespace.
q. The NIXIE SLQ-25 Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System is a
digitally controlled, electro-acoustic, soft kill countermeasure decoy
system capable of countering wake homing torpedoes, acoustic homing
torpedoes, and wire guided torpedoes. NIXIE provides active/passive
detection, location, threat identification of torpedoes and other
acoustic targets. NIXIE's towed body, the decoy which diverts the
threat from the ship, connects to the management system using a fiber
optic cable to control the signals emitted by the decoy.
r. Defense Advance GPS Receiver (DAGR) provides secure, military
Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM)-based GPS in the
most reliable and proven handheld form available today. It is a
military-grade, dual-frequency receiver, and has the security hardware
necessary to decode encrypted P(Y)-code GPS signals. Features include:
graphical screen, with the ability to overlay map images, 12-channel
continuous satellite tracking for ``all-in-view'' operation,
simultaneous L1/L2 dual frequency GPS signal reception, extended
performance in a diverse jamming environment, and SAASM compatibility.
s. The Gun Computer System (GCS) directs the actions of the ship's
main gun battery and receives orders for
[[Page 19278]]
engagement and firing authorization from the Combat Management System.
The GCS takes target data from ship sensors for air and surface
targets, or operator-entered data for targets ashore, and calculates
ballistic solutions and outputs gun positioning orders, ammunition
loading and firing orders for the mount.
t. Low Frequency Active Towed Sonar (LFATS) is a low frequency,
variable depth sonar used to detect, track and engage submarines. LFATS
incorporates active and passive processing with 360-degree coverage.
The VDS-100 system is designed for high performance at a lower
operating frequency for improved performance.
u. Compact Low Frequency Active Passive Variable Depth Sonar-2
(CAPTAS-2) is a key sensor technology for identifying conventional,
diesel-powered submarines operating in difficult sonar environments,
such as littoral waters. CAPTAS-2 employs a single winch, which is used
to pull the transmit tow body, and receiver array.
v. Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a 360-degree, panoramic, day
and night, passive air and surface surveillance system. The IRST system
provides long-range detection with tracking of conventional, asymmetric
and emerging threats.
w. Elta Electronic Warfare (EW) suite provides Radar Electronic
Support Measures (RESM), Communications Electronics Support Measures
(CESM), and Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) with counter-Unmanned
Aerial System capability. Elta EW to include C-ESM, R-ESM, and ECM
capability. The Elta EW suite is available internationally through ELTA
Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries.
x. Naval Laser-Warning System (NLWS) provides real time situational
awareness of laser-based threats to enhance the tactical picture. NLWS
interfaces with the ship's CMS, electronic support measures and onboard
countermeasure system. NLWS is available internationally from SAAB.
y. SRQ-4 provides the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) to serve
COMBATSS-21 for command and control (C2) functions for radar, FLIR and
ESM data. Also, as the TCDL terminal on the ship, the AN/SRQ-4
exchanges classified SECRET level acoustic data with the AN/SQQ-89 for
real-time shipboard processing of MH-60R deployed sonobuoys, increased
sonobuoy processing, updated sonobuoy control and increased ASW tracks.
The AN/SQQ-89 accepts MH-60R ASW data and processes the data shipboard
as a coordinated tactical ASW picture with the Variable Depth Sonar.
ASW Operators, at AN/SQQ-89 consoles, analyze the classified SECRET
level data and integrate with COMBATSS-21 to provide full
implementation and access to the capabilities of the MH-60R. The MH-60R
Multi-Mission Helicopters, procured by the Hellenic Navy under a
separate FMS case, introduces dipping sonar, upgraded radar, electronic
warfare, weapons including MK 54 torpedoes and external command and
control systems. With the MH-60R comes the need for a Ku-Band Common
Data Link via a shipboard AN/SRQ-4 Radio Terminal System to support the
high data rate requirements associated with aircraft systems.
z. The AN/SQQ-89 Undersea Warfare Combat System is a naval anti-
submarine warfare (ASW) system for surface warships. The system
presents an integrated picture of the tactical situation by receiving,
combining and processing active and passive sensor data from the hull-
mounted array, towed array and sonobuoys. The AN/SQQ-89 will interface
with the SQS-56 sonar, VDS, SQR-4 and COMBATSS-21. It provides a full
range of undersea warfare (USW) functions including active and passive
sensors, underwater fire control, onboard trainer and a highly evolved
display subsystem.
aa. The Fire Control Radar System is a medium-to-long range radar
that interfaces with the Gun Control System (GCS) and COMBATSS-21.
bb. Improved Point Detection System-Lifecycle Replacement (IPDS-LR)
is a ship-based Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) detector designed for
chemical detection of chemical warfare agent vapors onboard navy ships.
The detector units have special interference rejection built into the
detection algorithm and meets specifications for false alarm thresholds
with sensitivity requirements. The sampling system includes specially
designed sampling lines, filters, and bulkhead adapters to operate in
marine environments.
cc. Enhanced Maritime Biological Detection (EMBD) is an automated
biological point detection and identification system that provides near
real time biological detection, warning, and presumptive identification
against Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs). EMBD will provide an early
indication that a BWA attack has occurred and provide identification
information allowing ship commanding officers to select from an array
of countermeasures that can prevent or limit exposure to the ship and
other ships in the naval task force.
dd. Link 16 is an advanced 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. It provides the warfighter key theater functions such as
surveillance, identification, air control, weapons engagement
coordination, and direction for all services and allied forces. With
modernized cryptography, Link 16 will ensure interoperability into the
future.
2. The overall highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is 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 that 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 Greece 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 the Government of
Greece.
[FR Doc. 2023-06742 Filed 3-30-23; 8:45 am]
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