Arms Sales Notification

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. RISCH. Mr. 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 still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.

Hon. James E. Risch, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(5)(A) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 0H-25. This notification relates to enhancements or upgrades from the level of sensitivity of technology or capability described in the Section 36(b)(1) AECA certification 24-64 of May 29, 2024. Sincerely, Michael F. Miller, Director.

Enclosure. transmittal no. 0H-25 Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(A), AECA)

(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Austria.

(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No: 24-64; Date: May 29, 2024; Implementing Agency: Army.

(iii) Description: On May 29, 2024, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 24-64 of the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, of twelve (12) UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with twenty-six (26) T700-GE-701D engines; fifteen (15) AN/ AAR-57 Counter Missile Warning Systems (CMWS); and thirty (30) H-764U Embedded Global Positioning Systems with Inertial Navigation (EGI) with country-unique selective availability anti-spoofing modules (or Future M-Code replacement). The following non-MDE was also included: APR-39C (V)1/4 radar warning receivers; AVR-2B laser detecting sets; AN/ARN-147(V) very high frequency omni-directional range instrument landing system receiver radio; AN/ARN-149(V) low frequency automatic direction finder (ADF) radio receiver; AN/ARN-153 Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) receiver transmitter; AN/APN- 209 radar altimeter radios; EBC-406HM emergency locator transmitter (ELT); Improved Heads Up Display (IHUD); signal data converters for IHUD; color weather radars; MX-10D electro-optical and infrared with laser designator; Engine Inlet Barrier Filters (EIBF); Ballistic Armor Protection Systems (BAPS); Internal Auxiliary Fuel Tank Systems (IAFTS); Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES); External Rescue Hoist (ERH); rescue hoist equipment sets; dual patient litter system (DPLS) sets; Martin Baker palletized crew chief and gunner seats with crashworthy floor structural modifications; External Stores Support System (ESSS); instrument panel; cockpit multi-function display (MFD); degraded visual environment (DVE) system; Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II); cargo hook scale; sling load observation capability; Direction Finder DF-935; environmental control system; snow skis provisions; Bambi bucket provisions; Helicopter Terrain Awareness System (HTAWS); CONRAD troop radio capability; TETRA BOS radio capability; very important person kit; 28 volts of direct current 10 ampere utility power socket (cabin); Universal Serial Bus (USB) charging outlet; Crashworthy Extended Range Fuel Systems (CEFS) tanks; Black Hawk Aircrew Trainer (BAT); training devices; helmets; transportation; organizational equipment; spare and repair parts; support equipment; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated total cost was $1.05 billion. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $350 million of this total.

This transmittal notifies the inclusion of the following MDE items: fifteen (15) ARC-231A RT-1987 very high frequency (VHF)/ultra high frequency (UHF)/line-of-sight satellite communication (SATCOM) radios. The following non-MDE will also be included: APX-123A identification friend or foe (IFF) transponder (or future IFF replacement); AN/PYQ-10 simple key loader (SKL); AN/ARC-231 RT-1808A; KIV-77 common IFF Crypto Applique; and AN/ARC-201D RT-1478D radios. The estimated total value of the new MDE items is $2.4 million but will not require an increase to the previously notified MDE value. The estimated total value of the new non-MDE articles is $7.2 million but will not require an increase to the previously notified non-MDE value. The total case value will remain $1.05 billion. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) continues to constitute $350 million of this total.

(iv) Significance: The proposed sale will improve Austria's capability to deter current and future threats and support coalition operations and the United States' and Austria's goal of greater military interoperability.

(v) Justification: This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a partner that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

(vi) Sensitivity of Technology:

The AN/ARC-231A RT-1987 is a software-definable radio for military aircraft that provides two-way, multi-mode voice and data communications over a 30 Hz to 512 MHz frequency range. It supports both line-of-sight UHF and VHF bands with AM, FM, and satellite communication (SATCOM) capabilities and includes embedded frequency agile modes, Electronic Counter- Countermeasures (ECCM), anti-jam waveforms including Have Quick and Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (STNCGARS), Demand Assigned Multiple Access, and Integrated Waveform. It provides simultaneous, real-time participation in tactical voice and data communications networks. The RT- 1987 will ensure NSA TSVCIS 3.1.1. crypto modernization compliance. Operator selectable air traffic control channel spacing, and other data link and secure communications features, provides battlefield interoperability.

The AN/ARC-231 RT-1808A radio is a software-definable radio for military aircraft that provides two-way, multi-mode voice and data communications over a 30 Hz to 512 MHz frequency range. It covers both line-of-sight UHF and VHF bands with AM, FM, and SATCOM capabilities.

The AN/APX-123A IFF is a space diversity transponder and is installed on various military platforms. When installed in conjunction with platform antennas and the remote-control unit (or other appropriate control unit), the transponder provides identification, altitude, and surveillance reporting in response to interrogations from airborne, ground-based, and/or surface interrogators.

The AN/PYQ-10 simple key loader (SKL) is a ruggedized, portable, hand-held fill device, for securely receiving, storing, and transferring data between compatible cryptographic and communications equipment. The AN/PYQ-10(C) will contain the KOV-21 communications security card.

The KIV-77 IFF Crypto Applique provides cryptographic and time-of-day services for a combined interrogator/transponder or individual interrogator or transponder Mark XIIA (Mode 4 and Mode 5) IFF system deployed to identify cooperative friendly systems.

The AN/ARC-201D VHF-FM SINCGARS airborne radio is a reliable field-proven voice and data communication system used with the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is UNCLASSIFIED.

(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: September 15, 2025.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source