36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification, 28908-28910 [2014-11600]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28908-28910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing 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
                                                         ---------------
  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