Guide
What is technology security and foreign disclosure (TSFD) review?
Technology security and foreign disclosure is the set of Department of War reviews that decide whether military technology and classified information may be released to a foreign partner. The Department of War conducts the national security reviews; the authority to authorize a transfer rests with the Departments of and Commerce. Separate but related review processes feed the decision, and high-level release requests go to a senior steering group.
What is technology security and foreign disclosure?
Technology transfer in the simplest form is the transfer of technology from one source to another; it is agnostic of the method or manner in which the transfer takes place. Technology security seeks to securely transfer this technology from the source or origin to another authorized recipient. Protecting military technology, enabling technologies, and industry intellectual property are key to maintaining U.S. economic security and protecting the defense . Foreign adversaries are using increasingly more sophisticated, multi-pronged, and targeted campaigns to gain access to controlled U.S. information and goods. The United States utilizes various laws, regulations, and policies to protect technology, with stakeholders from the government, industry, and academia each playing important roles. DODI 2040.02 establishes DoW’s policy on international transfers, assigns responsibilities within the Department, and prescribes the procedures for transfers.
The Department of War is responsible for conducting national security reviews in order to provide policy and regulatory guidance on U.S. transfers or exports. These national security reviews include the complete spectrum from broad strategic reviews down to individual transactional reviews. It is important to remember that the DoW does not have the authority to authorize transfers, that authority lies solely with the Departments of and Commerce. All transfers under and Programs undergo national security and foreign policy reviews as a matter of law and policy. The , Chapter 3, “Technology Transfer and Disclosure,” is a key reference when working technology transfer and disclosure aspects of and programs or activities.
Several separate but related TS&FD processes support DoW release decisions. Additionally, each MILDEP, and many DoW agencies have internal review processes for approving the transfer of capabilities and technologies within their purview.
The Deputy Secretary of War has empowered the Arms Transfer and Technology Release Senior Steering Group (ATTR SSG) as the primary forum for review and adjudication of High Level Decision (HLD) TS&FD release requests. Also established was the Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure Office (TSFDO), which is designed to serve as the ATTR SSG’s Executive Secretariat. The ATTR SSG has been charged with streamlining and harmonizing DoW TS&FD release processes. The ATTR SSG develops, guides, and directs (consistent with U.S. policy and national security objectives) DoW-wide reform, implementation, and subsequent management of the DoW TS&FD system, and ensures critical U.S. technologies are protected, and release considerations are balanced with building allied and international partner capability objectives.
References
SAMM
- SAMM C3.1.1.1
- SAMM C3.2.4 — Disclosure Decisions.
Related
Industrial Base
The capability of U.S. industry to respond to the needs of and produce end items for DoD. Also, that part of the total privately-owned and government-owned industrial production and maintenance capacity located in Canada expected to be available during emergencies to manufacture and repair items required by the U.S. military services.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Security Assistance (SA)
A group of programs authorized by federal statutes by which the United States provides defense articles, military training, and other defense-related services by grant, lease, loan, credit, or cash sales in furtherance of national policies and objectives, and those that are funded and authorized through the Department of State to be administered by Department of Defense/Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which are considered part of security cooperation.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Security Cooperation
Activities undertaken by the DoD to encourage and enable international partners to work with the United States to achieve strategic objectives. It includes all DoD interactions with foreign defense and security establishments, including all DoD-administered security assistance programs, that: build defense and security relationships that promote specific U.S. security interests, including all international armaments cooperation activities and security assistance activities; develop allied and friendly military capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations; and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access to host nations.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM)
DSCA Manual 5105.38-M required under DoD Directive 5105.65, "Defense Security Cooperation Agency" mandatory for use by all DoD Components. The SAMM provides DoD-wide guidance to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military Departments (MILDEPs), the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, the Security Cooperation Organizations (SCOs), and all other organizational entities within the DoD engaged in the management or implementation of DoD Security Assistance and Security Cooperation programs over which DSCA has responsibility.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Arms Export Control Act (AECA)
The basic U.S. law providing the authority and general rules for the conduct of Foreign Military Sales and commercial sales of defense articles, defense services, and training. The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) came into existence with the passage of the Foreign Military Sales Act (FMSA) of 1968. An amendment in the International Security Assistance and AECA of 1976 changed the name of FMSA to the AECA.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA)
The legal instrument used by the USG to transfer itemized defense articles, defense services, and design and construction services to foreign partners.
When used under the authorities provided in the Arms Export Control Act for Foreign Military Sales, the LOA is a binding agreement signed by the USG and the foreign partner to transfer such articles and services.
When used under Building Partnership Capacity (BPC) authorities, the BPC LOA is not signed by the Benefitting Partner.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
An arrangement between sovereign states or their executive agencies, or international organizations, that is not legally binding under international law.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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