SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This 36(b) 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 the attached Transmittal 26-37, Policy Justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

( printed page 46107)

Transmittal No. 26-37

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 New Zealand

(ii) Total Estimated Value:

(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase:

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

Five (5) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters

Seven (7) Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems Joint Tactical Radio Systems (5 installed, 2 spares)

Fourteen (14) Embedded Global Positioning System/Precise Positioning Service/Inertial Navigation Systems with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (10 installed, 4 spares)

Five (5) Airborne Low Frequency Sonar systems

Two hundred twenty-five (225) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) missiles

Two hundred twenty-five (225) WGU-59A/B APKWS II guidance sections (single variant)

Sixty-five (65) AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles

Four (4) M36E8 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles

Five (5) digital magnetic anomaly detection systems

Five (5) M240D 7.62mm machine guns

Non-MDE:

The following non-MDE will also be included: T700-GE-401D engines; M514 impulse cartridge/cartridge actuated devices; MJ20 cartridge actuated thruster/cartridge actuated devices; WB53 fire extinguisher cartridge/cartridge actuated devices; CCU-136A/A impulse cartridges; GAU-21 crew-served guns (including pintle and laser pointer); M299 guided missile launchers; LAU-61 digital rocket launchers; AN/ARC-210 RT-2036 radios with communications security; AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems; AN/APX-123 identification friend or foe (IFF) transponders; AN/ALE-47 dispenser, electronic countermeasures; advanced data transfer systems; AN/AAS-44C(V) multi-spectral targeting systems; KIV-78-Mode 4/5 IFF cryptographic applique; Joint Mission Planning Systems; AN/ARQ-59 Hawklink radio terminals; AN/SSQ-53 directional frequency analysis and recording sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-62 directional command activated sonobuoy system sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-36 bathythermograph sonobuoys; training simulators/operational machine interface assistants; aviation maintenance weapons loading trainer; tactical operational flight trainer; AN/ALQ-210 electronic support measures systems; APS-153(V) multi-mode radars; spare engine containers; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communications ( printed page 46108) equipment; ferry support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; obsolescence engineering, integration, and test activities required to ensure readiness for the production of the New Zealand MH-60R helicopters; training equipment; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

(iv) Military Department: Navy (NZ-P-SAK)

(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: NZ-P-GES

(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None known at this time

(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: June 4, 2026

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

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

New Zealand—MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters

The Government of New Zealand has requested to buy five (5) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters; seven (7) Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems Joint Tactical Radio Systems (5 installed, 2 spares); fourteen (14) Embedded Global Positioning System/Precise Positioning Service/Inertial Navigation Systems with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (10 installed, 4 spares); five (5) Airborne Low Frequency Sonar systems; two hundred twenty-five (225) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) missiles; two hundred twenty-five (225) WGU-59A/B APKWS II guidance sections (single variant); sixty-five (65) AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; four (4) M36E8 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles; five (5) digital magnetic anomaly detection systems; and five (5) M240D 7.62mm machine guns. The following non-major defense equipment items will also be included: T700-GE-401D engines; M514 impulse cartridge/cartridge actuated devices; MJ20 cartridge actuated thruster/cartridge actuated devices; WB53 fire extinguisher cartridge/cartridge actuated devices; CCU-136A/A impulse cartridges; GAU-21 crew-served guns (including pintle and laser pointer); M299 guided missile launchers; LAU-61 digital rocket launchers; AN/ARC-210 RT-2036 radios with communications security; AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems; AN/APX-123 identification friend or foe (IFF) transponders; AN/ALE-47 dispenser, electronic countermeasures; advanced data transfer systems; AN/AAS-44C(V) multi-spectral targeting systems; KIV-78—Mode 4/5 IFF cryptographic applique; Joint Mission Planning Systems; AN/ARQ-59 Hawklink radio terminals; AN/SSQ-53 directional frequency analysis and recording sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-62 directional command activated sonobuoy system sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-36 bathythermograph sonobuoys; training simulators/operational machine interface assistants; aviation maintenance weapons loading trainer; tactical operational flight trainer; AN/ALQ-210 electronic support measures systems; APS-153(V) multi-mode radars; spare engine containers; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communications equipment; ferry support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; obsolescence engineering, integration, and test activities required to ensure readiness for the production of the New Zealand MH-60R helicopters; training equipment; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $1.5 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region.

The proposed sale will improve New Zealand's capability to meet current and future warfare threats by providing greater security for its critical infrastructure. New Zealand will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense. New Zealand 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 contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, located in Owego, New York. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of one (1) U.S. Government representative and four (4) contractor representatives to New Zealand on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements, including program and technical reviews.

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

Transmittal No. 26-37

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 MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter focuses primarily on anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions. The MH-60R also performs search and rescue, naval gunfire support, surveillance, communications relay, logistics support, personnel transfer, and vertical replenishment missions. The MH-60R carries several sensors and data links to enhance its ability to work in a network centric battle group and as an extension of its home ship/main operating base.

2. The mission equipment subsystem consists of the following sensors and subsystems: an acoustics system capable of future dipping sonar and sonobuoy operations, multi-mode radar (MMR) with integral identification friend or foe (IFF) interrogator, radios with communications security, electronic support measures, integrated self-defense, and multi-spectral targeting system. The aircraft processes sensor data onboard and transmits data via common data link (also referred to as Hawklink). The aircraft is compatible with night vision. It can carry AGM-114A/B/K/N/R Hellfire missiles, as well as MK 46/54 torpedoes to engage surface and sub-surface targets.

a. The RT-2036(C) radios are capable of Line-Of-Sight (LOS) and beyond LOS communication and can transmit clear or secure voice using single channel ground and airborne radio system security features. ARC-210 Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency radios contain embedded sensitive encryption algorithms and keying material.

b. The Embedded Global Positioning System/Precise Positioning Service/Inertial Navigation System is a sensor that combines positioning and inertial ( printed page 46109) sensor inputs to provide accurate location information for navigation and targeting.

c. The Advanced Digital Antenna Production (ADAP) antenna electronics interfaces with the ADAP controlled reception pattern antennas to ensure availability of global positioning signals to the aircraft.

d. The IFF AN/APX-123 A(V) transponder is capable of both Mode 5 and Mode S secure modes and provides its own ship positional information.

e. The KIV-78 is Type 1 NSA-certified Communications Security (COMSEC) for IFF. The KIV-78 provides cryptographic and time-of-day services, concurrent Mode 4/5 operations as well as concurrent interrogator/transponder operations. The KIV-78 IFF system is deployed to identify cooperative, friendly systems.

f. The KY-100M provides for secure voice and data communications in tactical airborne and ground environments and is a self-contained terminal that includes COMSEC. The KY-100M is based on the KY-99A architecture with enhanced interface capability. It includes KY-99A's operational modes and KY-5’s operational modes.

g. Acoustics algorithms are used to process dipping sonar and sonobuoy data for target tracking and for the Acoustics Mission Planner, which is a tactical aid employed to optimize the deployment of sonobuoys and the dipping sonar.

h. AN/APS-153 MMR with an integrated IFF and Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar provides target surveillance and detection capability.

i. Digital Magnetic Anomaly Detection capability is being introduced into the MH-60R in response to a fleet need for a submarine detection capability, which will be effective in acoustically harsh environments.

j. Advanced Data Transfer System with Type 1 encryption for data at rest.

k. AN/ALQ-210 Electronic Support Measures system identifies the location of an emitter.

3. The MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter can carry airborne low frequency sonar, LAU-61 digital rocket launchers, advanced precision kill weapons system, GAU-21 crew served guns, and M240 crew served guns.

a. The WGU-59/B Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II (APKWS-II) All Up Round (AUR) (Rotary Wing) and WGU-59A/B APKWS-II AUR (Single Variant) is a design conversion of an unguided Hydra 2.75-inch rocket with a laser guidance kit to give it precision-kill capability. As a low-cost weapon, it is intended as an inexpensive means to destroy targets while limiting collateral damage in close combat. The APKWS consists of an APKWS-II guidance section (Single Variant Block Upgrade) developed by BAE Systems, Inc., a legacy 2.75-inch MK66 Mod 4 rocket motor, and the M151 or MK-152 high-explosive warhead.

b. The AGM-114 Hellfire missile is an antiarmor, laser guided, air-to-ground weapon that uses a shaped charge warhead to defeat hard point targets with minimal exposure of the launch helicopter to enemy fire. The Hellfire weapon system consists of an AGM-114 series missile(s) and M299 launcher. The missile consists of four major sections: seeker, guidance warhead, propulsion, and control. The M299 launcher can carry one to four missiles on each launcher. The length, weight, and physical characteristics of the Hellfire missile are the same as the base missile allowing full compatibility with launch platforms.

c. The M36E8 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles-114 training missile also has the same external shape and length as the tactical missile. Internally, it contains no explosives but has ballast to simulate the weight and center of gravity of the tactical missile. It is used for captive flight training and cannot be launched. The missile has an operational laser seeker that can search for and lock on laser energy. Training missiles are identified by blue colored bands around the warhead and propulsion sections. Training missiles are certified for captive flights.

4. The MH-60R is also equipped with the AN/USQ-190A Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS), which is a secure, jam-resistant communication and positioning system that employs a defined waveform in the 960-1215-megahertz UHF range for packet message communication and 16 kilobit digital voice and packet message communication. MIDS significantly increases force command and control effectiveness. The tactical digital information link-J series message standard is employed by the system as defined in NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 5516 and U.S. Military Standard 6016. The embedded hardware features provide communications security. MIDS JTRS builds on the earlier MIDS-low volume terminal's capabilities with the addition of concurrent multi-netting (CMN) and concurrent contention receive (CCR) functions. CMN and CCR dramatically expand the number of platforms and network-enabled systems that can be reliably included in a Link 16 network. These enhancements allow a single MIDS JTRS terminal to simultaneously receive messages on up to four nets, compared with on a single net in terminals without CMN and CCR, within a single Link 16 time slot, allowing a user to “hear” messages from up to three additional sources at once.

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 system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities.

7. A determination has been made that New Zealand can provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the U.S. Government. This proposed 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 New Zealand.

91 FR 46105