[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28908-28910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11600]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Transmittal Nos. 14-12]
36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification
AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text
of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to
fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated
July 21, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. B. English, DSCA/DBO/CFM, (703)
601-3740.
The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Transmittals 14-12 with attached transmittal, policy
justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.
Dated: May 15, 2014.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[[Page 28909]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN20MY14.002
Transmittal No. 14-12
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: Australia
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment *............................... $476 million
Other................................................... $ 58 million
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Total................................................. $534 million
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: Up to 350 AIM-9X-2
Sidewinder Tactical Missiles, 35 AIM-9X Special Air Training Missiles
(NATM), 95 AIM-9X-2 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), 22 AIM-9X-2
Tactical Guidance Units, 19 CATM-9X-2 Guidance Units, 3 DATM-9X,
containers, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts,
publications and technical documents, personnel training and training
equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and
other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (AZT)
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FMS Case AYD-$46.7M-30Oct07
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be
Paid: None
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or
[[Page 28910]]
Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached Annex
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: 13 May 2014
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Australia--AIM 9X-2 Sidewinder Missiles
The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of up to
350 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Tactical Missiles, 35 AIM-9X Special Air
Training Missiles (NATMs), 95 AIM-9X-2 Captive Air Training Missiles
(CATMs), 22 AIM-9X-2 Tactical Guidance Units, 19 CATM-9X-2 Guidance
Units, 3 DATM-9X, containers, test sets and support equipment, spare
and repair parts, publications and technical documents, personnel
training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor
technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics and
program support. The estimated cost is $534 million.
Australia is an important ally in the Western Pacific that
contributes significantly to ensuring peace and stability in the
region. Australia's efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations
have made a significant impact on regional, political and economic
stability and have served U.S. national security interests.
This proposed sale will improve the Royal Australian Air Force's
(RAAF) air to air capability and ability to defend its nation and
cooperate with allied air forces. These missiles will be used on the
RAAF's F/A-18 aircraft (and eventually F-35 aircraft) and will maintain
the RAAF's air-to-air capability to defend its extensive coastlines
against future threats. The proposed sale will enhance RAAF's ability
to operate with coalition forces in bilateral and multilateral
exercises and potential air defense operations. Australia will have no
difficulty absorbing these missiles 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 Raytheon Missile Systems Company
in Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this sale may require the assignment of
additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives in Australia
to provide technical and logistics support for two years. U.S.
Government and contractor representatives will also participate in
program management and technical reviews for one-week intervals twice
annually.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 14-12
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 AIM-9X-2 (Block II) Sidewinder Missile represents a
substantial increase in missile acquisition and kinematics performance
over the AIM-9M and replaces the AIM-9X (Block I) Missile
configuration. The missile includes a high off-boresight seeker,
enhanced countermeasure rejection capability, low drag/high angle of
attack airframe, and the ability to integrate the Helmet Mounted Cueing
System. The software algorithms are the most sensitive portion of the
AIM-9X-2 missile. A Software Improvement Program (SIP) provides for
Software updates. No software source code or algorithms will be
released. The missile is classified as Confidential.
2. The AIM-9X-2 will result in the transfer of sensitive technology
and information. The equipment, hardware, and documentation are
classified Confidential. The software and operational performance are
classified Secret. The seeker/guidance control section and the target
detector are Confidential and contain sensitive state-of-the-art
technology. Manuals and technical documentation that are necessary or
support operational use and organizational management are classified up
to Secret. Performance and operating logic of the counter-
countermeasures circuits are classified Secret. The hardware, software,
and data identified are classified to protect vulnerabilities, design
and performance parameters, and similar critical information.
3. 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
advanced capabilities.
4. A determination has been made that the recipient country can
provide the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology
being released as the U.S. Government. This sale is necessary in
furtherance of the US foreign policy and national security objectives
outlined in the Policy Justification.
5. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal
have been authorized for release and export to the Government of
Australia.
[FR Doc. 2014-11600 Filed 5-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P