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Category XI of the USML covers military electronics; paragraph (b) covers electronic systems, equipment or software specially designed for intelligence purposes to collect, survey, monitor or exploit the electromagnetic spectrum (SIGINT-type collection and analysis), plus related countermeasure equipment. A December 2014 revision to Category XI's text was read by some exporters as excluding certain intelligence-analytics software that had historically been controlled under the category. Rather than let that narrower reading take effect, the Department of State has repeatedly issued a "temporary modification" reinstating the pre-2014 scope — reinserting "analyze and produce information from" and adding software to the (b) description — while it works out a permanent USML text fix. The modification has been extended on a rolling basis since 2014 (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024, 2026) rather than allowed to lapse. This latest extension runs the modification through 30 August 2028, effective 30 August 2026. The rule adds no new controlled items and removes none; it is a continuation of an existing control scope, not a new restriction or a relaxation.
software and SIGINT-collection/exploitation electronics remain under the same USML Category XI(b)/(d) licensing regime they have operated under since 2014; this action only prevents an inadvertent narrowing from taking effect.
exporters: the modification's periodic renewal (now every ~2 years rather than the longer 5-year gaps seen 2014→2019→2021) is itself a signal the Department has not yet finalized the permanent Category XI(b) text fix flagged as pending since 2014.
(obviating the need for further temporary-modification extensions) has an announced timeline; not stated in this notice.