80 FR 74096 - 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 228 (November 27, 2015)

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.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 228 (Friday, November 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74096-74098]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30185]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 15-56]


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: Sarah A. Ragan or Heather N. Harwell, 
DSCA/LMO, (703) 604-1546/(703) 607-5339.

[[Page 74097]]

    The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Transmittal 15-56 with attached Policy Justification 
and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: November 23, 2015.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN27NO15.001

BILLING CODE 5001-06-C
Transmittal No. 15-56
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 Government of Kuwait
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment*.................  $ 50 million
Other....................................  $ 65 million
                                          ------------------------------
  TOTAL..................................  $ 115 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services Under Consideration for Purchase:


[[Page 74098]]


    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    Fourteen (14) AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP)

    Non-MDE items included in this request are associated equipment, 
spares, accessories, and airworthiness certification. The sale will 
include the integration of the ATPs on the purchaser's F/A-18 aircraft 
along with improvements in the on-board mission computer software 
suites. Also included in this request are systems integration and 
testing, software development/integration, test sets, support 
equipment, spares, repair parts, maintenance and pilot training, 
publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor 
technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics, 
engineering and program support.

    (iv) Military Department: Navy and Air Force (XX-P-LCI)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid:Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected 
and will be determined during negotiations between the purchaser and 
contractor.
    (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or 
Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached Annex
    (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: 04 NOV 2015
    *as defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

The Government of Kuwait--Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP)

    The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of:

    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    Fourteen (14) AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP)

    Non-MDE items included in this request are associated equipment, 
spares, accessories, and airworthiness certification. The sale will 
include the above system integration on the purchaser's F/A-18 aircraft 
along with improvements in the on-board mission computer software 
suites. Operational support for these modifications will be provided 
through upgrades. Also included in this request are systems integration 
and testing, software development/integration, test sets, support 
equipment, spares, repair parts, maintenance and pilot training, 
publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor 
technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics, 
engineering and program support. The estimated cost of MDE is $50 
million. The total estimated cost is $115 million.

    Kuwait has requested the Sniper ATP due to its compatibility with 
the latest precision-guided weapons and capability of detecting, 
identifying, and engaging multiple moving and fixed targets in air-to-
air and air-to-ground engagements. Integration of the Sniper ATP on 
Kuwait's F/A-18 aircraft would enhance its ability to protect itself 
against possible aggression from foreign forces.
    This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and 
national security of the United States by helping to improve the 
security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be, an 
important force for political stability and economic progress in the 
Middle East. Kuwait plays a large role in U.S. efforts to advance 
stability in the Middle East, providing basing, access, and transit for 
U.S. forces in the region.
    The proposed sale of this equipment, services, and support will not 
affect the basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire 
Control, Orlando, Florida.
    Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected 
and will be determined during negotiations between the purchaser and 
contractor.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 15-56
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 hardware and software being purchased is being used to 
upgrade the customer country's existing F/A-l 8C/D Hornet aircraft. 
Description and classification of the hardware and software being 
purchased are detailed in the following paragraphs.
    2. The Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP), designated AN/AAQ-33, 
provides positive target identification, autonomous tracking, 
coordinate generation, and precise weapons guidance from extended 
standoff ranges. The latest version of the Sniper ATP provides an 
enhanced capability using new sensors, a two-way data link, advanced 
processors and automated non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and 
reconnaissance modes.
    3. A software upgrade to the Kuwait F/A-18 Mission Computer 
Operational Flight Program (OFP) software will be required to ensure 
that flight crews receive full capability of the Sniper ATP. The OFP 
will be upgraded at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at 
China Lake, California, as part of continuing support of the Kuwait Air 
Force F/A-18 program.
    4. The Sniper ATP will provide classified SECRET data to the Kuwait 
Air Force. Some technical information is classified SECRET because it 
describes the limitations and effectiveness of both the aircraft and 
its capabilities.
    5. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge 
of the specific hardware or software in this proposed sale, the 
information could be used to develop countermeasures 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 the recipient country can 
provide the same degree of protection for the classified and 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. All defense 
articles and services listed in this transmittal have been authorized 
for release and export to the Government of Kuwait.
[FR Doc. 2015-30185 Filed 11-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P