Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY:

Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Arms sales notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karma Job at karma.d.job.civ@mail.mil or (703) 697-8976.

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 20-55 with attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

Transmittal No. 20-55

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 Egypt

(ii) Total Estimated Value:

(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of Egypt has requested to buy one (1) AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system to protect one (1) Airbus 340-200 Head-of-State aircraft. Each LAIRCM system consists of three (3) Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTA), one (1) LAIRCM System Processor Replacement (LSPR), five (5) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS), one (1) Control Indicator Unit Replacement (CIUR), one (1) Smart Card Assembly (SCA), and one (1) High Capacity Card (HCC/User Data Memory (UDM) card.

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

Six (6) Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTA) (3 installed, 3 spares)

Four (4) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) (1 installed, 3 spares)

Ten (10) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) (5 installed, 5 spares)

Non-MDE: Also included are LAIRCM CIURs; SCAs; HCCs; UDM cards; simple key loaders; initial spares, consumables, and repair/return support; support and test equipment; integration and test support; personnel training, publications and technical documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

(iv) Military Department: Air Force (EG-D-QFO)

(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: December 28, 2020

* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Egypt—Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) System for Head-of-State Aircraft

The Government of Egypt has requested to buy one (1) AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system to protect one (1) Airbus 340-200 Head-of-State aircraft. Each LAIRCM system consists of three (3) Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTA), one (1) LAIRCM System Processor Replacement (LSPR), five (5) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS), one (1) Control Indicator Unit Replacement (CIUR), one (1) Smart Card Assembly (SCA), and one (1) High Capacity Card (HCC/User Data Memory (UDM) card. This proposed sale will include: six (6) Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTA) (3 installed, 3 spares); four (4) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) (1 installed, 3 spares); ten (10) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) (5 installed, 5 spares). Also included are LAIRCM CIURs; SCAs; HCCs; UDM cards; simple key loaders; initial spares, consumables, and repair/return support; support and test equipment; integration and test support; personnel training, publications and technical documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $104 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally country that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East.

The self-protection suite will improve the survivability of the Airbus from missile attack. Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and capability 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 will be Northrup Grumman, Rolling Meadows, IL. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of one U.S. contractor representative in an advisory role to Egypt for one base year with two option years to support operator/maintenance system orientation and original equipment manufacturer factory support.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

Transmittal No. 20-55

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. The AN/AAQ-24(V)N LAIRCM system is a self-contained, directed-energy countermeasures system designed to protect aircraft from infrared-guided surface-to-air missiles. The LAIRCM system features digital technology micro-miniature solid-state electronics. The system operates in all conditions, detecting incoming missiles and jamming infrared-seeker equipped missiles with aimed bursts of laser energy. The LAIRCM system consists of the Guardian Laser Transmitter Assembly (GLTA), LAIRCM System Processor Replacement (LSPR), multiple Missile Warning Sensors, the Control Interface Unit Replacement (CIUR), and the Classified Memory Card User Data Module. The AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader is also a necessary device.

2. The Guardian Laser Transmitter Assembly (GLTA) is a laser transmitter pointer/tracker subsystem designed to track the inbound threat missile and point the laser jam source at the missile's seeker. The GLTA automatically deploys the countermeasure.

3. The LAIRCM System Processor Replacement (LSPR) analyzes the data from each Missile Warning Sensor and automatically deploys the appropriate countermeasure via the GLTA. The LSPR contains Built-in-Test (BIT) circuitry.

4. The AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader is a portable, hand-held device used for securely receiving, storing, and transferring data between compatible cryptographic and communications equipment.

5. The Missile Warning Sensors detect and declare threat missiles. The sensors are mounted on the aircraft exterior to provide omni-directional protection. The sensors detect the rocket plume of missiles and send appropriate data signals to the LSPR for processing.

6. The Control Interface Unit Replacement (CIUR) displays the incoming threat for the pilot to take appropriate action. The CIUR also provides operator interface to program the LAIRCM system to initiate built-in-test (BIT), to display system status, and to provide the crew with bearing to threat missile launch.

7. The Classified Memory Card User Data Module contains the laCser jam codes. The Classified Memory Card User Data Module is loaded into the LSPR prior to flight; when not in use, the Classified Memory Card User Data Module is removed from the LSPR and put in secure storage.

8. The highest level of classification of information included in this potential sale is SECRET.

9. 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.

10. A determination has been made that Egypt 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 objective outlined in the Policy Justification.

11. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal have been authorized for release and export to Egypt.