83 FR 17150 - Arms Sales Notification
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 75 (April 18, 2018)
Office of the Secretary
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 75 (April 18, 2018)
| Page Range | 17150-17153 | |
| FR Document | 2018-08081 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 17150-17153] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [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
![17150 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 18, 2018 / Notices
SUMMARY: In compliance with the received without change, including any essential in maintaining the integrity of
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the personal identifiers or contact the agency’s personnel, training, and
White House Communications Agency information. travel programs.
announces a proposed public FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To Dated: April 12, 2018.
information collection and seeks public request more information on this Shelly E. Finke,
comment on the provisions thereof. proposed information collection or to Alternate OSD Federal Register, Liaison
Comments are invited on: Whether the obtain a copy of the proposal and Officer, Department of Defense.
proposed collection of information is associated collection instruments, [FR Doc. 2018–08039 Filed 4–17–18; 8:45 am]
necessary for the proper performance of please write to the White House BILLING CODE P
the functions of the agency, including Communications Agency (WHCA/
whether the information shall have WACC/ESB), ATTN: Kevin A. Gifford,
practical utility; the accuracy of the 2743 Defense Boulevard SW, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
agency’s estimate of the burden of the Washington, DC 20373–5815 or call
proposed information collection; ways (202) 757–5667. Office of the Secretary
to enhance the quality, utility, and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
clarity of the information to be [Transmittal No. 16–48]
collected; and ways to minimize the Title; Associated Form; and OMB
burden of the information collection on Number: Basic Employee and Security
Arms Sales Notification
respondents, including through the use Tracking Systems (BEAST); OMB
of automated collection techniques or Control Number 0704–0507. AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation
other forms of information technology. Needs and Uses: The information Agency, Department of Defense.
collection requirement is necessary to ACTION: Arms sales notice.
DATES: Consideration will be given to all
obtain, track, and record the personnel
comments received by June 18, 2018. security data, training information, and SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, travel history within the White House publishing the unclassified text of an
identified by docket number and title, Military Office (WHMO) and White arms sales notification.
by any of the following methods: House Communications Agency
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// (WHCA).
Pamela Young, (703) 697–9107,
www.regulations.gov. Follow the Affected Public: Individuals or
pamela.a.young14.civ@mail.mil or
instructions for submitting comments. Households.
Kathy Valadez, (703) 697–9217,
Mail: Department of Defense, Office of Annual Burden Hours: 38.
kathy.a.valadez.civ@mail.mil; DSCA/
the Chief Management Officer, Number of Respondents: 150. DSA–RAN.
Directorate for Oversight and Responses per Respondent: 1.
Compliance, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Annual Responses: 150. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
Mailbox #24, Suite 08D09B, Alexandria, Average Burden per Response: 15 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is
VA 22350–1700. minutes. published to fulfill the requirements of
Instructions: All submissions received Frequency: On occasion. section 155 of Public Law 104–164
must include the agency name, docket Respondents are DoD contractors, dated July 21, 1996. The following is a
number and title for this Federal retired military members who have copy of a letter to the Speaker of the
Register document. The general policy departed the agency, and agency House of Representatives, Transmittal
for comments and other submissions visitors. The data collected is used for 16–48 with attached Policy Justification.
from members of the public is to make security background checks, training Dated: April 12, 2018.
these submissions available for public records, and also to encompass the Shelly E. Finke,
viewing on the internet at http:// historical travel records of members of Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
www.regulations.gov as they are the agency. This data collection is Officer, Department of Defense.
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 18, 2018 / Notices 17153
4. The Driver’s Vision Enhancer Wide announce that it is renewing the charter and discussion. Subcommittees, task
(DVE Wide) improves survivability and for the Defense Innovation Board. forces, or working groups have no
mission capability by providing drivers FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim authority to make decisions and
with wider fields of view as well as the Freeman, Advisory Committee recommendations, verbally or in
elimination of blind spots to safely Management Officer for the Department writing, on behalf of the Board. No
navigate through dust, sand, haze, of Defense, 703–692–5952. subcommittee or any of its members can
smoke, light fog and the blackest night. update or report, verbally or in writing,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
The front facing DVE Wide integrates directly to the DoD or any Federal
committee’s charter is being renewed in
three state-of-the-art 640 x 480, 17 mm officers or employees. The Board’s DFO,
accordance with the Federal Advisory
uncooled infrared sensors, which output pursuant to DoD policy, must be a full-
Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5
a stitched video of a 107 x 30 field of time or permanent part-time DoD
U.S.C., Appendix, as amended) and 41
view (POV). The DVE Wide can receive, employee, and must be in attendance for
CFR 102–3.50(d). The charter and
manage and display video from multiple the duration of each and every Board/
contact information for the Designated
external cameras on the vehicle. The subcommittee meeting. The public or
Federal Officer (DFO) can be obtained at
driver can electronically pan through interested organizations may submit
http://www.facadatabase.gov/.
the 107° total horizontal field of view written statements to the Board
The Board provides the Secretary of
allowing the driver the ability to see membership about the Board’s mission
Defense and the Deputy Secretary of
both sides of the road. The vehicle and functions. Such statements may be
Defense independent advice and
wheel track indicators aid the driver in submitted at any time or in response to
recommendations on innovative means
clearly identifying any potential the stated agenda of planned Board
to address future challenges in terms of
impediments to safe operation. The DVE meetings. All written statements must
integrated change to organizational
Wide is fully backwards compatible be submitted to the Board’s DFO who
structure and process, business and
with all fielded DVE units, which means will ensure the written statements are
functional concepts, and technology
that any vehicle currently equipped provided to the membership for their
applications. The Board shall be
with a DVE system can be readily consideration.
composed of no more than 20 members
upgraded. It is also forward compatible Dated: April 12, 2018.
who must possess some or all of the
with new, high resolution, touch-screen Shelly E. Finke,
following: (a) Proven track record of
displays. The DVE Wide is an
sound judgment in leading or governing Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
UNCLASSIFIED system. Officer, Department of Defense.
complex, private sector corporations or
5. If a technologically advanced
organizations; (b) demonstrated [FR Doc. 2018–08071 Filed 4–17–18; 8:45 am]
adversary were to obtain knowledge of
performance in identifying and adopting BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
the specific hardware and software
new technology innovations in either
elements of the M109A6, the
the public or private sector; (c)
information could be used to develop DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
demonstrated performance in
countermeasures or equivalent systems
developing new technology concepts.
which might reduce weapon system Office of the Secretary
Members of the Board who are not full-
effectiveness or be used in the
time or permanent part-time Federal
development of a system with similar or
officers or employees will be appointed [Transmittal No. 17–72]
advanced capabilities.
as experts or consultants pursuant to 5
6. A determination has been made U.S.C. 3109 to serve as special Arms Sales Notification
that Saudi Arabia can provide the same government employee members.
degree of protection for the sensitive Members of the Board who are full-time AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation
technology being released as the U.S. or permanent part-time Federal officers Agency, Department of Defense.
Government. This sale is necessary in or employees will be appointed ACTION: Arms sales notice.
furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.130(a) to
and national security objectives serve as regular government employee SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is
outlined in the Policy Justification. members. All members of the Board are publishing the unclassified text of an
7. All defense articles and services appointed to provide advice on the basis arms sales notification.
listed in this transmittal have been of their best judgment without FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
authorized for release and export to the representing any particular point of
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pamela Young, (703) 697–9107,
view and in a manner that is free from pamela.a.young14.civ@mail.mil or
[FR Doc. 2018–08081 Filed 4–17–18; 8:45 am] conflict of interest. Except for Kathy Valadez, (703) 697–9217,
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P reimbursement of official Committee- kathy.a.valadez.civ@mail.mil; DSCA/
related travel and per diem, members DSA–RAN.
serve without compensation. The DoD,
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE as necessary and consistent with the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
Board’s mission and DoD policies and 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is
Office of the Secretary published to fulfill the requirements of
procedures, may establish
subcommittees, task forces, or working section 155 of Public Law 104–164
Charter Renewal of Department of dated July 21, 1996. The following is a
Defense Federal Advisory Committees groups to support the Board, and all
copy of a letter to the Speaker of the
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
subcommittees must operate under the
AGENCY:Department of Defense. provisions of FACA and the House of Representatives, Transmittal
Government in the Sunshine Act. 17–72 with attached Policy Justification.
Renewal of Federal Advisory
ACTION:
Committee. Subcommittees will not work Dated: April 12, 2018.
independently of the Board and must Shelly E. Finke,
SUMMARY: The Department of Defense report all recommendations and advice Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
(DoD) is publishing this notice to solely to the Board for full deliberation Officer, Department of Defense.
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Document Created: 2018-04-18 02:59:45
Document Modified: 2018-04-18 02:59:45
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Arms sales notice. | |
| Contact | Pamela Young, (703) 697-9107, [email protected] or Kathy Valadez, (703) 697-9217, [email protected]; DSCA/DSA-RAN. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 17150 |
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