[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66420-66424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21073]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Transmittal No. 22-20]
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
neil.g.hedlund.civ@mail.mil 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 22-20 with
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.
Dated: September 21, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[[Page 66421]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN27SE23.003
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
[[Page 66422]]
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.
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.
[[Page 66423]]
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
[[Page 66424]]
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 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.
[FR Doc. 2023-21073 Filed 9-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P