82 FR 40753 - Arms Sales Notification

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 165 (August 28, 2017)

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales notification.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 165 (Monday, August 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40753-40755]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18177]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 17-38]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text 
of an arms sales notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Young, (703) 697-9107 or Kathy 
Valadez, (703) 697-9217; 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 17-38 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: August 23, 2017.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[[Page 40754]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28AU17.024

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Transmittal No. 17-38
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: Government of Australia
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *..............................    $ 0.0 million
Other..................................................   $108.7 million
                                                        ----------------
  TOTAL................................................   $108.7 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None
    Non-MDE includes: One thousand nine hundred fifty-two (1,952) ALE-
70(V)/T-1687A Electronic Towed Decoy Countermeasures, publications and 
technical documentation, other technical assistance, U.S. Government 
and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, 
and other related elements of logistical and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (XX-P-AMN A1)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None
    (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 Attached Annex
    (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: August 2, 2017

    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

[[Page 40755]]

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Australia--ALE-70 Radio Frequency Countermeasures (RFCM)

    The Government of Australia has requested the possible sale of one 
thousand nine hundred fifty-two (1,952) ALE-70(V)/T-1687A Electronic 
Towed Decoy Countermeasures, publications and technical documentation, 
other technical assistance, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, 
technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of 
logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is 
$108.7 million.
    This sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national 
security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a 
major non-NATO ally and continues to be an important force for 
political stability, security, and economic development in the Western 
Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally 
in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense 
capability.
    The proposed sale will improve Australia's F-35 survivability and 
will enhance its capability to deter global threats, strengthen its 
homeland defense, and cooperate in coalition defense initiatives. 
Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment 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 British Aerospace Enterprise 
(BAE), Nashua, NH. There are no offsets proposed in connection with 
this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor 
representatives to Australia.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-38
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 ALE-70 is a towed radio frequency countermeasure designed 
for deployment from the F-35 aircraft and is comprised of electronic 
and mechanical sub-assemblies to accomplish the intended purpose. The 
ALE-70 consists of three major components: the reel/launcher assembly, 
the tow line, and the T-1687 countermeasure transmitter. Upon 
deployment from the aircraft, the countermeasure transmitter is reeled 
out to a prescribed distance, held in tow behind the jet by the tow 
line and emits waveforms in response to commands from the 
countermeasure controller located in the jet. The waveforms are 
utilized to confuse or decoy adversary radars or radar guided weapons. 
Designed and produced by BAE Systems of Nashua, New Hampshire, the ALE-
70 employs amplifiers based on Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology to meet 
stringent output requirements.
    2. The ALE-70 generates, amplifies, and transmits signals in 
response to commands from the countermeasures controller which remains 
aboard the jet. Neither the countermeasure transmitter nor the reel/
launcher assembly contains stored information or software representing 
critical program information. As the ALE-70 contains no software or 
stored waveforms/techniques, Anti-Tampering security measures are not 
required. ALE-70 hardware is classified SECRET to protect specific data 
elements associated with the performance of the countermeasure.
    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 or equivalent system which might 
reduce system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system 
with similar or advanced capabilities.
    4. A determination has been made that Australia can provide 
substantially 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.
    5. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to Australia.

[FR Doc. 2017-18177 Filed 8-25-17; 8:45 am]
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