My inbox this morning had several, er, heads up alerting me to news that the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) has removed toilets from the United States Munitions List (“USML”). Needless to say, this was a blogging opportunity that I could not let go to waste.
More specifically, DDTC removed chemical toilets manufactured by MAG Aerospace Industries for use in military aircraft. The toilet in question was initially manufactured for the Lockheed C-130 and was subsequently modified for other military aircraft.
In explaining why these specially configured military aircraft components are being removed from the USML, DDTC said this:
The core functionality of the toilet remains the same as a model used for commercial aircraft.
That may be my favorite example of bureaucrat-ese ever. It translates, of course, into plain English as this: “The purpose of both models is to …” I bet you are relieved I didn’t finish that sentence, aren’t you?
For those that may not be privy to all aspects of export law, the DDTC adds at the end of the notice that the removal of the toilets from the USML does not mean that they can now be exported to Iran or other embargoed countries. Those poor mullahs will simply have to settle for ordinary flush toilets, I guess.
Of course the poor sods wishing to weightlessly utilize the facilities must still license their er..activities. Space qualified equipment expressly remains on the USML.
Clif, I would have titled it “The Captain’s Log”.
Thanks for being so informative & helpful every day and especially for finding those rare nuggets of “export control humor.” It’s usually pretty dark, dank, and lonely out here in the ITAR Zone. We who are about to export salute you!
Can’t export to Iran. Big deal. I’ve heard rumors that Iran is secretly developing its own toilets. Wait’ll the Israelis get wind of this!