Arms Sales Notification, 17150-17153 [2018-08081]
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17150
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 18, 2018 / Notices
In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
White House Communications Agency
announces a proposed public
information collection and seeks public
comment on the provisions thereof.
Comments are invited on: Whether the
proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed information collection; ways
to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and ways to minimize the
burden of the information collection on
respondents, including through the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
DATES: Consideration will be given to all
comments received by June 18, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by docket number and title,
by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Department of Defense, Office of
the Chief Management Officer,
Directorate for Oversight and
Compliance, 4800 Mark Center Drive,
Mailbox #24, Suite 08D09B, Alexandria,
VA 22350–1700.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name, docket
number and title for this Federal
Register document. The general policy
for comments and other submissions
from members of the public is to make
these submissions available for public
viewing on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov as they are
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SUMMARY:
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received without change, including any
personal identifiers or contact
information.
essential in maintaining the integrity of
the agency’s personnel, training, and
travel programs.
To
request more information on this
proposed information collection or to
obtain a copy of the proposal and
associated collection instruments,
please write to the White House
Communications Agency (WHCA/
WACC/ESB), ATTN: Kevin A. Gifford,
2743 Defense Boulevard SW,
Washington, DC 20373–5815 or call
(202) 757–5667.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title; Associated Form; and OMB
Number: Basic Employee and Security
Tracking Systems (BEAST); OMB
Control Number 0704–0507.
Needs and Uses: The information
collection requirement is necessary to
obtain, track, and record the personnel
security data, training information, and
travel history within the White House
Military Office (WHMO) and White
House Communications Agency
(WHCA).
Affected Public: Individuals or
Households.
Annual Burden Hours: 38.
Number of Respondents: 150.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Annual Responses: 150.
Average Burden per Response: 15
minutes.
Frequency: On occasion.
Respondents are DoD contractors,
retired military members who have
departed the agency, and agency
visitors. The data collected is used for
security background checks, training
records, and also to encompass the
historical travel records of members of
the agency. This data collection is
Dated: April 12, 2018.
Shelly E. Finke,
Alternate OSD Federal Register, Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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[FR Doc. 2018–08039 Filed 4–17–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Transmittal No. 16–48]
Arms Sales Notification
Defense Security Cooperation
Agency, Department of Defense.
ACTION: Arms sales notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Defense is
publishing the unclassified text of an
arms sales notification.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pamela Young, (703) 697–9107,
pamela.a.young14.civ@mail.mil or
Kathy Valadez, (703) 697–9217,
kathy.a.valadez.civ@mail.mil; DSCA/
DSA–RAN.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
36(b)(1) arms sales notification is
published to fulfill the requirements of
section 155 of Public Law 104–164
dated July 21, 1996. The following is a
copy of a letter to the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Transmittal
16–48 with attached Policy Justification.
SUMMARY:
Dated: April 12, 2018.
Shelly E. Finke,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM
18APN1
Transmittal No. 16–48
(iii) Description and Quantity or
Quantities of Articles or Services under
Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
One hundred and eighty (180) 155mm
(i) Prospective Purchaser: The
M109A5/A6 Medium Self-Propelled
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Howitzer structures for conversion to
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
one hundred and seventy-seven (177)
Major Defense Equipment*
$0.15 billion
155mm M109A6 Paladin Medium
Other ....................................
$1.16 billion
Self-Propelled Howitzer systems
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Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of
Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the
Arms Export Control Act, as amended
TOTAL ..............................
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$1.31 billion
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17151
Three (3) Fire Support Combined Arms
Tactical Trainers (FSCATT) static
training devices
One hundred and eighty (180) M2 HB
.50 Cal Machine Guns
Eight (8) Advanced Field Artillery
Tactical Data Systems (AFATDS)
Non-MDE: Also included are
M109A5/A6 overhaul, conversion and
refurbishment services; Special Tools
and Test Equipment; Basic Issue Items
(BII); Driver’s Vision Enhancer (DVE)
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EN18AP18.002</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 18, 2018 / Notices
17152
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 18, 2018 / Notices
Wide system; Program Management
Support; Verification Testing; System
Technical Support; Transportation;
spare and repair parts; communications
equipment; personnel training and
training equipment; tool and test
equipment; repair and return;
publications and technical
documentation; Quality Assurance
Team (QAT); U.S. Government and
contractor engineering; technical and
logistics support services; and other
related elements of logistics and
program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (VTG)
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: SR–B–
VFM and SR–B–VAZ
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid,
Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology
Contained in the Defense Article or
Defense Services
Proposed to be Sold: See Annex
attached.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to
Congress: April 5, 2018
* as defined in Section 47(6) of the
Arms Export Control Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—155mm
M109A6 Paladin Medium Self-Propelled
Howitzer System
The Government of Saudi Arabia has
requested a possible sale of one hundred
and eighty (180) 155mm M109A5/A6
Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer
structures for conversion to one
hundred and seventy-seven (177)
155mm M109A6 Paladin Medium SelfPropelled Howitzer systems; three (3)
Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical
Trainers (FSCATT) static training
devices; one hundred and eighty (180)
M2 HB .50 Cal Machine Guns; and eight
(8) Advanced Field Artillery Tactical
Data Systems (AFATDS). Also included
are M109A5/A6 overhaul, conversion
and refurbishment services; Special
Tools and Test Equipment; Basic Issue
Items (BII); Driver’s Vision Enhancer
(DVE) Wide system; Program
Management Support; Verification
Testing; System Technical Support;
Transportation; spare and repair parts;
communications equipment; personnel
training and training equipment; tool
and test equipment; repair and return;
publications and technical
documentation; Quality Assurance
Team (QAT); U.S. Government and
contractor engineering; technical and
logistics support services; and other
related elements of logistics and
program support. The estimated cost is
$1.31 billion.
This proposed sale will contribute to
the foreign policy and national security
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17:31 Apr 17, 2018
Jkt 244001
of the United States by helping to
improve the security of an important
partner which has been and continues
to be a leading contributor of political
stability and economic progress in the
Middle East. This sale will increase the
Royal Saudi Land Force’s (RSLF)
interoperability with U.S. forces and
conveys U.S. commitment to Saudi
Arabia’s security and armed forces
modernization.
The proposed sale will improve Saudi
Arabia’s capability to meet current and
future threats and provide greater
security for its border regions and
critical infrastructure. The RSLF
currently has M109A2, A3 and A5
howitzers in its inventory. These
additional modernized howitzers will
enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to
support its deployed forces and defend
its borders. Saudi Arabia will have no
difficulty absorbing these vehicles into
its armed forces.
The prime contractor for this
requirement is unknown at this time.
There are no known offset agreements in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale
will not require the assignment of any
additional U.S. or contractor
representatives to Saudi Arabia. Support
teams will travel to the country on a
temporary basis.
There will be no adverse impact on
U.S. defense readiness as a result of this
proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 16–48
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. This sale will involve the release of
sensitive technology to Saudi Arabia.
The RSLF seeks to purchase the 155mm
M109A6 Paladin Medium SelfPropelled Howitzer system. The Paladin
M109A6 howitzer is the fourth product
improvement to the original M109 selfpropelled howitzer. It features
improvements in the areas of
survivability, reliability, availability,
maintainability, responsiveness, and
terminal effects. The M109A6 is an
armored, full tracked howitzer carrying
37 complete conventional rounds and
two Copperhead projectiles and
operated by a crew of four. It is designed
with a new turret structure that
facilitates integration of the various
turret improvements and vulnerability
reduction measures. It improves overall
crew compartment layout and space.
The howitzer can travel at a maximum
speed of 38 miles per hour and has a
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
maximum cruising range of 186 miles.
The Ml09A6 can operate independently,
from on the move, it can receive a fire
mission, compute firing data, select and
take up its firing position, automatically
unlock and point its cannon, fire and
move—all without external technical
assistance. Firing the first round
following a move in under 60 seconds,
a ‘‘shoot and scoot’’ capability protects
the crew from counterbattery fire. The
M109A6 is capable of firing up to four
rounds per minute to ranges of 30
kilometers. The Ml09A6 features
increased survivability characteristics
such as day/night operability and
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC)
protection with climate control and
secure voice and digital
communications. The crew remains in
the vehicle throughout the mission.
2. The Electronic Fire Control System
(EFCS). Commonly referred to as the
Paladin Fire Control System (PFCS), it
is the major change for the Paladin
M109A6 Howitzer from the manual fire
control system used on the M109A5.
The integrated electronic digital Fire
Control System includes an Embedded
Trainer. It gives the howitzer the ability
to operate over a widely dispersed area
and to move and emplace using the
onboard fire control system (Dynamic
Reference Unit Hybrid Replacement
Inertial Navigation System) and a plugin AN/PCN–13A Defense Advanced
Global Positioning System Receiver
with a Selective Availability Antispoofing Module (SAASM). The
M109A6 can move and position within
an assigned position area, process
technical firing data, and fire a mission
without relying on aiming circles and
wire lines. The M109A6 can change
position more frequently, an advantage
against enemy fire.
3. The Advanced Field Artillery
Tactical Data System (AFATDS)
provides the multi-service automated
Fire Support Command, Control and
Communications portion of the Army
Battle Command System (ABCS).
AFATDS enables the maneuver
commander to plan and execute attacks
on the right target, at the right time,
with the right weapons system, and the
right munitions. It provides for
maximum utilization of the fire support
assets available on an expanding
battlefield. It supports the close, deep,
and rear battle fire support requirements
of land and littoral doctrine. AFATDS is
designed for full interoperability with
the other ABCS Battlefield Functional
Areas as well as with the Fire Support
capabilities of the Navy’s Joint Maritime
Command Information System (JMCIS)
and the Air Force’s Theater Battle
Management Core System (TBMCS).
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 18, 2018 / Notices
4. The Driver’s Vision Enhancer Wide
(DVE Wide) improves survivability and
mission capability by providing drivers
with wider fields of view as well as the
elimination of blind spots to safely
navigate through dust, sand, haze,
smoke, light fog and the blackest night.
The front facing DVE Wide integrates
three state-of-the-art 640 x 480, 17 mm
uncooled infrared sensors, which output
a stitched video of a 107 x 30 field of
view (POV). The DVE Wide can receive,
manage and display video from multiple
external cameras on the vehicle. The
driver can electronically pan through
the 107° total horizontal field of view
allowing the driver the ability to see
both sides of the road. The vehicle
wheel track indicators aid the driver in
clearly identifying any potential
impediments to safe operation. The DVE
Wide is fully backwards compatible
with all fielded DVE units, which means
that any vehicle currently equipped
with a DVE system can be readily
upgraded. It is also forward compatible
with new, high resolution, touch-screen
displays. The DVE Wide is an
UNCLASSIFIED system.
5. If a technologically advanced
adversary were to obtain knowledge of
the specific hardware and software
elements of the M109A6, the
information could be used to develop
countermeasures or equivalent systems
which might reduce weapon system
effectiveness or be used in the
development of a system with similar or
advanced capabilities.
6. A determination has been made
that Saudi Arabia 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 U.S. foreign policy
and national security objectives
outlined in the Policy Justification.
7. All defense articles and services
listed in this transmittal have been
authorized for release and export to the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
[FR Doc. 2018–08081 Filed 4–17–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
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Office of the Secretary
Charter Renewal of Department of
Defense Federal Advisory Committees
Department of Defense.
Renewal of Federal Advisory
Committee.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Department of Defense
(DoD) is publishing this notice to
SUMMARY:
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17:31 Apr 17, 2018
Jkt 244001
announce that it is renewing the charter
for the Defense Innovation Board.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim
Freeman, Advisory Committee
Management Officer for the Department
of Defense, 703–692–5952.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
committee’s charter is being renewed in
accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5
U.S.C., Appendix, as amended) and 41
CFR 102–3.50(d). The charter and
contact information for the Designated
Federal Officer (DFO) can be obtained at
https://www.facadatabase.gov/.
The Board provides the Secretary of
Defense and the Deputy Secretary of
Defense independent advice and
recommendations on innovative means
to address future challenges in terms of
integrated change to organizational
structure and process, business and
functional concepts, and technology
applications. The Board shall be
composed of no more than 20 members
who must possess some or all of the
following: (a) Proven track record of
sound judgment in leading or governing
complex, private sector corporations or
organizations; (b) demonstrated
performance in identifying and adopting
new technology innovations in either
the public or private sector; (c)
demonstrated performance in
developing new technology concepts.
Members of the Board who are not fulltime or permanent part-time Federal
officers or employees will be appointed
as experts or consultants pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 3109 to serve as special
government employee members.
Members of the Board who are full-time
or permanent part-time Federal officers
or employees will be appointed
pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.130(a) to
serve as regular government employee
members. All members of the Board are
appointed to provide advice on the basis
of their best judgment without
representing any particular point of
view and in a manner that is free from
conflict of interest. Except for
reimbursement of official Committeerelated travel and per diem, members
serve without compensation. The DoD,
as necessary and consistent with the
Board’s mission and DoD policies and
procedures, may establish
subcommittees, task forces, or working
groups to support the Board, and all
subcommittees must operate under the
provisions of FACA and the
Government in the Sunshine Act.
Subcommittees will not work
independently of the Board and must
report all recommendations and advice
solely to the Board for full deliberation
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17153
and discussion. Subcommittees, task
forces, or working groups have no
authority to make decisions and
recommendations, verbally or in
writing, on behalf of the Board. No
subcommittee or any of its members can
update or report, verbally or in writing,
directly to the DoD or any Federal
officers or employees. The Board’s DFO,
pursuant to DoD policy, must be a fulltime or permanent part-time DoD
employee, and must be in attendance for
the duration of each and every Board/
subcommittee meeting. The public or
interested organizations may submit
written statements to the Board
membership about the Board’s mission
and functions. Such statements may be
submitted at any time or in response to
the stated agenda of planned Board
meetings. All written statements must
be submitted to the Board’s DFO who
will ensure the written statements are
provided to the membership for their
consideration.
Dated: April 12, 2018.
Shelly E. Finke,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2018–08071 Filed 4–17–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Transmittal No. 17–72]
Arms Sales Notification
Defense Security Cooperation
Agency, Department of Defense.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Arms sales notice.
The Department of Defense is
publishing the unclassified text of an
arms sales notification.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pamela Young, (703) 697–9107,
pamela.a.young14.civ@mail.mil or
Kathy Valadez, (703) 697–9217,
kathy.a.valadez.civ@mail.mil; DSCA/
DSA–RAN.
This
36(b)(1) arms sales notification is
published to fulfill the requirements of
section 155 of Public Law 104–164
dated July 21, 1996. The following is a
copy of a letter to the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Transmittal
17–72 with attached Policy Justification.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: April 12, 2018.
Shelly E. Finke,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM
18APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17150-17153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08081]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Transmittal No. 16-48]
Arms Sales Notification
AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.
ACTION: Arms sales notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text
of an arms sales notification.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Young, (703) 697-9107,
[email protected] or Kathy Valadez, (703) 697-9217,
[email protected]; DSCA/DSA-RAN.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is
published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-
164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Transmittal 16-48 with
attached Policy Justification.
Dated: April 12, 2018.
Shelly E. Finke,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[[Page 17151]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN18AP18.002
Transmittal No. 16-48
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: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment*................................ $0.15 billion
Other................................................... $1.16 billion
---------------
TOTAL................................................. $1.31 billion
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
One hundred and eighty (180) 155mm M109A5/A6 Medium Self-Propelled
Howitzer structures for conversion to one hundred and seventy-seven
(177) 155mm M109A6 Paladin Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer systems
Three (3) Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainers (FSCATT) static
training devices
One hundred and eighty (180) M2 HB .50 Cal Machine Guns
Eight (8) Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (AFATDS)
Non-MDE: Also included are M109A5/A6 overhaul, conversion and
refurbishment services; Special Tools and Test Equipment; Basic Issue
Items (BII); Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE)
[[Page 17152]]
Wide system; Program Management Support; Verification Testing; System
Technical Support; Transportation; spare and repair parts;
communications equipment; personnel training and training equipment;
tool and test equipment; repair and return; publications and technical
documentation; Quality Assurance Team (QAT); U.S. Government and
contractor engineering; technical and logistics support services; and
other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (VTG)
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: SR-B-VFM and SR-B-VAZ
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be
Paid: None
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or
Defense Services
Proposed to be Sold: See Annex attached.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: April 5, 2018
* as defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia--155mm M109A6 Paladin Medium Self-Propelled
Howitzer System
The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of one
hundred and eighty (180) 155mm M109A5/A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer
structures for conversion to one hundred and seventy-seven (177) 155mm
M109A6 Paladin Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer systems; three (3) Fire
Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainers (FSCATT) static training
devices; one hundred and eighty (180) M2 HB .50 Cal Machine Guns; and
eight (8) Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (AFATDS). Also
included are M109A5/A6 overhaul, conversion and refurbishment services;
Special Tools and Test Equipment; Basic Issue Items (BII); Driver's
Vision Enhancer (DVE) Wide system; Program Management Support;
Verification Testing; System Technical Support; Transportation; spare
and repair parts; communications equipment; personnel training and
training equipment; tool and test equipment; repair and return;
publications and technical documentation; Quality Assurance Team (QAT);
U.S. Government and contractor engineering; technical and logistics
support services; and other related elements of logistics and program
support. The estimated cost is $1.31 billion.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by helping to improve the
security of an important partner which has been and continues to be a
leading contributor of political stability and economic progress in the
Middle East. This sale will increase the Royal Saudi Land Force's
(RSLF) interoperability with U.S. forces and conveys U.S. commitment to
Saudi Arabia's security and armed forces modernization.
The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia's capability to meet
current and future threats and provide greater security for its border
regions and critical infrastructure. The RSLF currently has M109A2, A3
and A5 howitzers in its inventory. These additional modernized
howitzers will enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to support its deployed
forces and defend its borders. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty
absorbing these vehicles into its armed forces.
The prime contractor for this requirement is unknown at this time.
There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential
sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. or contractor representatives to
Saudi Arabia. Support teams will travel to the country on a temporary
basis.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 16-48
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. This sale will involve the release of sensitive technology to
Saudi Arabia. The RSLF seeks to purchase the 155mm M109A6 Paladin
Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer system. The Paladin M109A6 howitzer is
the fourth product improvement to the original M109 self-propelled
howitzer. It features improvements in the areas of survivability,
reliability, availability, maintainability, responsiveness, and
terminal effects. The M109A6 is an armored, full tracked howitzer
carrying 37 complete conventional rounds and two Copperhead projectiles
and operated by a crew of four. It is designed with a new turret
structure that facilitates integration of the various turret
improvements and vulnerability reduction measures. It improves overall
crew compartment layout and space. The howitzer can travel at a maximum
speed of 38 miles per hour and has a maximum cruising range of 186
miles. The Ml09A6 can operate independently, from on the move, it can
receive a fire mission, compute firing data, select and take up its
firing position, automatically unlock and point its cannon, fire and
move--all without external technical assistance. Firing the first round
following a move in under 60 seconds, a ``shoot and scoot'' capability
protects the crew from counterbattery fire. The M109A6 is capable of
firing up to four rounds per minute to ranges of 30 kilometers. The
Ml09A6 features increased survivability characteristics such as day/
night operability and Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) protection
with climate control and secure voice and digital communications. The
crew remains in the vehicle throughout the mission.
2. The Electronic Fire Control System (EFCS). Commonly referred to
as the Paladin Fire Control System (PFCS), it is the major change for
the Paladin M109A6 Howitzer from the manual fire control system used on
the M109A5. The integrated electronic digital Fire Control System
includes an Embedded Trainer. It gives the howitzer the ability to
operate over a widely dispersed area and to move and emplace using the
onboard fire control system (Dynamic Reference Unit Hybrid Replacement
Inertial Navigation System) and a plug-in AN/PCN-13A Defense Advanced
Global Positioning System Receiver with a Selective Availability Anti-
spoofing Module (SAASM). The M109A6 can move and position within an
assigned position area, process technical firing data, and fire a
mission without relying on aiming circles and wire lines. The M109A6
can change position more frequently, an advantage against enemy fire.
3. The Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)
provides the multi-service automated Fire Support Command, Control and
Communications portion of the Army Battle Command System (ABCS). AFATDS
enables the maneuver commander to plan and execute attacks on the right
target, at the right time, with the right weapons system, and the right
munitions. It provides for maximum utilization of the fire support
assets available on an expanding battlefield. It supports the close,
deep, and rear battle fire support requirements of land and littoral
doctrine. AFATDS is designed for full interoperability with the other
ABCS Battlefield Functional Areas as well as with the Fire Support
capabilities of the Navy's Joint Maritime Command Information System
(JMCIS) and the Air Force's Theater Battle Management Core System
(TBMCS).
[[Page 17153]]
4. The Driver's Vision Enhancer Wide (DVE Wide) improves
survivability and mission capability by providing drivers with wider
fields of view as well as the elimination of blind spots to safely
navigate through dust, sand, haze, smoke, light fog and the blackest
night. The front facing DVE Wide integrates three state-of-the-art 640
x 480, 17 [micro]m uncooled infrared sensors, which output a stitched
video of a 107 x 30 field of view (POV). The DVE Wide can receive,
manage and display video from multiple external cameras on the vehicle.
The driver can electronically pan through the 107[deg] total horizontal
field of view allowing the driver the ability to see both sides of the
road. The vehicle wheel track indicators aid the driver in clearly
identifying any potential impediments to safe operation. The DVE Wide
is fully backwards compatible with all fielded DVE units, which means
that any vehicle currently equipped with a DVE system can be readily
upgraded. It is also forward compatible with new, high resolution,
touch-screen displays. The DVE Wide is an UNCLASSIFIED system.
5. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge
of the specific hardware and software elements of the M109A6, the
information could be used to develop countermeasures or equivalent
systems which might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in
the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities.
6. A determination has been made that Saudi Arabia 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
U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the
Policy Justification.
7. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal
have been authorized for release and export to the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
[FR Doc. 2018-08081 Filed 4-17-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P
