[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67614-67618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18762]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 22-71]


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 with attached Transmittal 22-
71, Policy Justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: August 16, 2024.
Patricia L. Toppings,
OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[[Page 67615]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN21AU24.028

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

[[Page 67616]]

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)

[[Page 67617]]

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.
    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

[[Page 67618]]

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.

[FR Doc. 2024-18762 Filed 8-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P