83_FR_2444 83 FR 2433 - Arms Sales Notification

83 FR 2433 - Arms Sales Notification

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 11 (January 17, 2018)

Page Range2433-2436
FR Document2018-00670

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

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 11 (Wednesday, January 17, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2433-2436]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00670]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 17-63]


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, 
[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 17-63 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: January 11, 2018.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P

[[Page 2434]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17JA18.001

BILLING CODE 5001-06-C
Transmittal No. 17-63
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 Mexico
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $55.0 million
Other....................................  $43.4 million
                                          ------------------------------
    Total................................  $98.4 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

Six (6) RGM-84L Harpoon Block II Surface Launched Missiles
Twenty-three (23) Block II Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Tactical 
Missiles
Six (6) MK 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedoes


[[Page 2435]]


    Non-MDE includes:
    Also included are eight (8) MK 825 Mod 0 RAM Guided Missile Round 
Packs (GMRP) tri-pack shipping and storage containers; RAM Block 2 MK 
44 Mod 4 Guided Missile Round Pack (GMRP); two (2) MK 32 Surface Vessel 
Torpedo Tubes (SVTT) triple tube launchers; two hundred and fifty (250) 
rounds of AA98 25 mm high explosive and semi-armor piercing ammunition; 
seven hundred and fifty (750) rounds A976 25mm target practice and 
tracer ammunition; four hundred and eighty (480) rounds of BA22 57mm 
high explosive programmable fuze ammunition; nine hundred and sixty 
(960) rounds of BA23 57mm practice ammunition; containers; spare and 
repair parts; support and test equipment; publications and technical 
documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. 
Government and contractor representatives' technical assistance; 
engineering and logistics support services; installation services; 
associated electronics and hardware to control the launch of torpedoes; 
and other related elements of logistics and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy
    (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: January 5, 2018
    *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Government of Mexico--Harpoon Block II Missiles, RAM Missiles and MK 54 
Torpedoes

    The Government of Mexico has requested to buy six (6) RGM-84L 
Harpoon Block II surface launched missiles, twenty-three (23) Block II 
Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) tactical missiles and six (6) MK 54 Mod 
0 lightweight torpedoes. Also included are eight (8) MK 825 Mod 0 RAM 
Guided Missile Round Packs (GMRP) tri-pack shipping and storage 
containers; RAM Block 2 MK 44 Mod 4 Guided Missile Round Pack (GMRP); 
two (2) MK 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (SVTT) triple tube 
launchers; two hundred and fifty (250) rounds of AA98 25 mm high 
explosive and semi-armor piercing ammunition; seven hundred and fifty 
(750) rounds A976 25mm target practice and tracer ammunition; four 
hundred and eighty (480) rounds of BA22 57mm high explosive 
programmable fuze ammunition; nine hundred and sixty (960) rounds of 
BA23 57mm practice ammunition; containers; spare and repair parts; 
support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; 
personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and 
contractor representatives' technical assistance; engineering and 
logistics support services; installation services; associated 
electronics and hardware to control the launch of torpedoes; and other 
related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost 
is $98.4 million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national 
security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a 
strategic partner. Mexico has been a strong partner in combating 
organized crime and drug trafficking organizations. The sale of these 
ship-based systems to Mexico will significantly increase and strengthen 
its maritime capabilities. Mexico intends to use these defense articles 
and services to modernize its armed forces and expand its existing 
naval and maritime support of national security requirements and in its 
efforts to combat criminal organizations.
    Mexico intends to use the weapon systems on its Mexican Navy Sigma 
10514 Class ship. The systems will provide enhanced capabilities in 
effective defense of critical sea lanes. The proposed sale of these 
systems and support will increase the Mexican Navy's maritime 
partnership potential and align its capabilities with existing regional 
navies. Mexico has not purchased these systems previously. Mexico will 
have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic 
military balance in the region.
    The equipment will be provided from U.S. stocks. There are no known 
offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to 
Mexico involving U.S. Government personnel and contractor 
representatives for technical reviews, support, and oversight for 
approximately two years.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-63
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 MK 32 SVTT system is UNCLASSIFIED, but the system has one 
classified firmware card that controls launches. The system is 
currently in service in the U.S. Navy and in various other foreign 
nations that utilize shipboard launched torpedoes. The firmware card is 
essential to the ability of the system to successfully launch torpedoes 
when directed by the shipboard command and control system.
    2. The RGM-84L Harpoon Surface Launched Block II missile system, to 
include publications, documentation, operations, supply, maintenance, 
and training to be conveyed with this proposed sale have the highest 
classification level of CONFIDENTIAL. The Harpoon Block II missile is a 
non-nuclear tactical weapon system currently in service in the U.S. 
Navy and in 29 other foreign nations. It provides a day, night, and 
adverse weather, standoff surface-to-surface capability and is an 
effective Anti-Surface Warfare missile. The RGM-84L incorporates 
components, software, and technical design information that are 
considered SENSITIVE.
    3. The following components being conveyed by the proposed sale are 
considered sensitive and are classified CONFIDENTIAL:

a. The Radar Seeker
b. The GPS/INS System
c. Operational Flight Program Software
d. Missile operational characteristics and performance data

    These elements are essential for the Harpoon Block II missile to 
selectively engage hostile targets under a wide range of operational, 
tactical and environmental conditions. The version being sold to Mexico 
is not the Coastal Target Suppression land attack missile version.
    4. MK 54 All-Up-Round Lightweight (Warshot) torpedoes and 
associated support equipment, training, test equipment, and technical 
support; Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORPs); and Exercise 
Torpedoes (EXTORPs) are associated with this sale. The MK 54 
Lightweight Torpedo (LWT) can be launched from surface ships, 
helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft. The MK 54 LWT is an upgrade to 
the MK 46 Torpedo. The MK 54 LWT contains new sonar, guidance and 
control systems with modern technology. The new guidance and control 
system uses a mixture of commercial-off-the-shelf and custom-built 
electronics. The warhead, fuel tank, and propulsion system from the MK 
46 torpedo are re-used in the MK 54 configuration with minor 
modifications. The MK 54 is highly

[[Page 2436]]

effective against modern diesel and nuclear submarines. It has advanced 
logic that allows it to detect and prosecute threat submarines 
operating in challenging littoral environments. It is also effective in 
the presence of advanced countermeasures that may be deployed by threat 
submarines. The assembled MK 54 torpedo and several of its individual 
components are classified CONFIDENTIAL. The MK 54 operational software 
is classified as SECRET as is any hardware upon which the software has 
been installed. Mexico has not requested nor will it be provided the 
source code for the MK 54 operational software. The MK 54 has a feature 
referred to as ``Memory Scuttle'' that erases the operational software 
at the conclusion of any exercise firing so that the software will not 
be compromised if the torpedo is not recovered after the exercise 
firing. Possession of MK 54 Torpedoes and associated equipment should 
not lead to any vulnerability disclosures.
    5. 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 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 the Government of Mexico can 
provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive 
technology being released as the U.S. Government. This proposed sale is 
necessary to the 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 are 
authorized for release and export to the Government of Mexico.

[FR Doc. 2018-00670 Filed 1-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 17, 2018 / Notices 2433 to develop countermeasures that might DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE kathy.a.valadez.civ@mail.mil; DSCA/ reduce weapon system effectiveness or DSA–RAN. be used in the development of a system Office of the Secretary with similar or advanced capabilities. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 7. A determination has been made 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is [Transmittal No. 17–63] that Oman can provide substantially the published to fulfill the requirements of same degree of protection for the Arms Sales Notification section 155 of Public Law 104–164 sensitive technology being released as dated July 21, 1996. The following is a the U.S. Government. This sale is AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation copy of a letter to the Speaker of the necessary in furtherance of the U.S. Agency, Department of Defense. House of Representatives, Transmittal foreign policy and national security ACTION: Arms sales notice. 17–63 with attached Policy Justification objectives outlined in the policy and Sensitivity of Technology. justification. SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is Dated: January 11, 2018. 8. All defense articles and services publishing the unclassified text of an listed in this transmittal are authorized arms sales notification. Aaron Siegel, for release and export to the Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Government of Oman. Officer, Department of Defense. Pamela Young, (703) 697–9107, BILLING CODE 5001–06–P [FR Doc. 2018–00667 Filed 1–16–18; 8:45 am] pamela.a.young14.civ@mail.mil or BILLING CODE 5001–06–P Kathy Valadez, (703) 697–9217, ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 Jan 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM 17JAN1

Federal Register/Vol. 83, No. 11/Wednesday, January 17, 2018 /Notices DEFENSE SECURITY COOPERATIONAGENCY ‘ B0 19 SEF soUTH; 3TE C ARLNGTON, ¥a derro—acd ‘hs Honerible Paut D. Rxyan caker iedthe Howuse TLS, House of Representatives Washington. DC 30515 Dear Mr. Speaker: Purswaat to the reporting requiremensoof Section 16(bi 1i ofthe Arme Rxport Cantrol Act as amended, weare forwardingherewith Traasinigal No. 1 63. concermngy the Navy‘s proprsed Lecies(a)y of Oler andAvceptance to the Government uf Mexico for defense articles and services estimated to cost §98.4 + on.— After this letter is deffversdto vour offies, we plan BILLING CODE 5001—06—C (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment (MDE]: Transmittal No. 17—63 Major Defense Equipment * .. $55.0 million Six (6) RGM—84L Harpoon Block II OtHEP ... $43.4 million Surface Launched Missiles Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the TOtAL ... es $98.4 million Twenty—three (23) Block II Rolling Arms Export Control Act, as amended Airframe Missile (RAM) Tactical (iii) Description and Quantity or Missiles (i) Prospective Purchaser: The Quantities of Articles or Services under Six (6) MK 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Government of Mexico Consideration for Purchase: Torpedoes

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 17, 2018 / Notices 2435 Non-MDE includes: programmable fuze ammunition; nine 1. The MK 32 SVTT system is Also included are eight (8) MK 825 hundred and sixty (960) rounds of BA23 UNCLASSIFIED, but the system has one Mod 0 RAM Guided Missile Round 57mm practice ammunition; containers; classified firmware card that controls Packs (GMRP) tri-pack shipping and spare and repair parts; support and test launches. The system is currently in storage containers; RAM Block 2 MK 44 equipment; publications and technical service in the U.S. Navy and in various Mod 4 Guided Missile Round Pack documentation; personnel training and other foreign nations that utilize (GMRP); two (2) MK 32 Surface Vessel training equipment; U.S. Government shipboard launched torpedoes. The Torpedo Tubes (SVTT) triple tube and contractor representatives’ technical firmware card is essential to the ability launchers; two hundred and fifty (250) assistance; engineering and logistics of the system to successfully launch rounds of AA98 25 mm high explosive support services; installation services; torpedoes when directed by the and semi-armor piercing ammunition; associated electronics and hardware to shipboard command and control seven hundred and fifty (750) rounds control the launch of torpedoes; and system. A976 25mm target practice and tracer other related elements of logistics and 2. The RGM–84L Harpoon Surface ammunition; four hundred and eighty program support. The estimated cost is Launched Block II missile system, to (480) rounds of BA22 57mm high $98.4 million. include publications, documentation, explosive programmable fuze This proposed sale will support the operations, supply, maintenance, and ammunition; nine hundred and sixty foreign policy and national security of training to be conveyed with this (960) rounds of BA23 57mm practice the United States by helping to improve proposed sale have the highest ammunition; containers; spare and the security of a strategic partner. classification level of CONFIDENTIAL. repair parts; support and test Mexico has been a strong partner in The Harpoon Block II missile is a non- equipment; publications and technical combating organized crime and drug nuclear tactical weapon system documentation; personnel training and trafficking organizations. The sale of currently in service in the U.S. Navy training equipment; U.S. Government these ship-based systems to Mexico will and in 29 other foreign nations. It and contractor representatives’ technical significantly increase and strengthen its provides a day, night, and adverse assistance; engineering and logistics maritime capabilities. Mexico intends to weather, standoff surface-to-surface support services; installation services; use these defense articles and services capability and is an effective Anti- associated electronics and hardware to to modernize its armed forces and Surface Warfare missile. The RGM–84L control the launch of torpedoes; and expand its existing naval and maritime incorporates components, software, and other related elements of logistics and support of national security technical design information that are program support. requirements and in its efforts to combat considered SENSITIVE. (iv) Military Department: Navy criminal organizations. 3. The following components being (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None Mexico intends to use the weapon conveyed by the proposed sale are (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, systems on its Mexican Navy Sigma considered sensitive and are classified Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None 10514 Class ship. The systems will CONFIDENTIAL: (vii) Sensitivity of Technology provide enhanced capabilities in a. The Radar Seeker Contained in the Defense Article or effective defense of critical sea lanes. b. The GPS/INS System Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: The proposed sale of these systems and c. Operational Flight Program Software See Attached Annex support will increase the Mexican d. Missile operational characteristics (viii) Date Report Delivered to Navy’s maritime partnership potential and performance data Congress: January 5, 2018 and align its capabilities with existing regional navies. Mexico has not These elements are essential for the *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Harpoon Block II missile to selectively Arms Export Control Act. purchased these systems previously. Mexico will have no difficulty absorbing engage hostile targets under a wide POLICY JUSTIFICATION this equipment into its armed forces. range of operational, tactical and The proposed sale of this equipment environmental conditions. The version Government of Mexico—Harpoon Block being sold to Mexico is not the Coastal II Missiles, RAM Missiles and MK 54 will not alter the basic military balance in the region. Target Suppression land attack missile Torpedoes version. The equipment will be provided from The Government of Mexico has U.S. stocks. There are no known offset 4. MK 54 All-Up-Round Lightweight requested to buy six (6) RGM–84L agreements proposed in connection (Warshot) torpedoes and associated Harpoon Block II surface launched with this potential sale. support equipment, training, test missiles, twenty-three (23) Block II Implementation of this proposed sale equipment, and technical support; Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) tactical will require annual trips to Mexico Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes missiles and six (6) MK 54 Mod 0 involving U.S. Government personnel (REXTORPs); and Exercise Torpedoes lightweight torpedoes. Also included and contractor representatives for (EXTORPs) are associated with this sale. are eight (8) MK 825 Mod 0 RAM technical reviews, support, and The MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo (LWT) Guided Missile Round Packs (GMRP) oversight for approximately two years. can be launched from surface ships, tri-pack shipping and storage There will be no adverse impact on helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft. The containers; RAM Block 2 MK 44 Mod 4 U.S. defense readiness as a result of this MK 54 LWT is an upgrade to the MK 46 Guided Missile Round Pack (GMRP); proposed sale. Torpedo. The MK 54 LWT contains new two (2) MK 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo sonar, guidance and control systems Transmittal No. 17–63 Tubes (SVTT) triple tube launchers; two with modern technology. The new ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES hundred and fifty (250) rounds of AA98 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of guidance and control system uses a 25 mm high explosive and semi-armor Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the mixture of commercial-off-the-shelf and piercing ammunition; seven hundred Arms Export Control Act custom-built electronics. The warhead, and fifty (750) rounds A976 25mm Annex fuel tank, and propulsion system from target practice and tracer ammunition; the MK 46 torpedo are re-used in the four hundred and eighty (480) rounds of Item No. vii MK 54 configuration with minor BA22 57mm high explosive (vii) Sensitivity of Technology: modifications. The MK 54 is highly VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 Jan 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM 17JAN1

2436 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 17, 2018 / Notices effective against modern diesel and to develop countermeasures or ACTION: Arms sales notice. nuclear submarines. It has advanced equivalent systems which might reduce logic that allows it to detect and weapon system effectiveness or be used SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is prosecute threat submarines operating in the development of a system with publishing the unclassified text of an in challenging littoral environments. It similar or advanced capabilities. arms sales notification. is also effective in the presence of 6. A determination has been made advanced countermeasures that may be that the Government of Mexico can FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: deployed by threat submarines. The provide substantially the same degree of Pamela Young, (703) 697–9107, assembled MK 54 torpedo and several of protection for the sensitive technology pamela.a.young14.civ@mail.mil or its individual components are classified being released as the U.S. Government. Kathy Valadez, (703) 697–9217, CONFIDENTIAL. The MK 54 This proposed sale is necessary to the kathy.a.valadez.civ@mail.mil; DSCA/ operational software is classified as furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy DSA–RAN. SECRET as is any hardware upon which and national security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This the software has been installed. Mexico 7. All defense articles and services 36(b)(5)(C) arms sales notification is has not requested nor will it be listed in this transmittal are authorized published to fulfill the requirements of provided the source code for the MK 54 for release and export to the section 155 of Public Law 104–164 operational software. The MK 54 has a feature referred to as ‘‘Memory Scuttle’’ Government of Mexico. dated July 21, 1996. The following is a that erases the operational software at [FR Doc. 2018–00670 Filed 1–16–18; 8:45 am] copy of a letter to the Speaker of the the conclusion of any exercise firing so BILLING CODE 5001–06–P House of Representatives, Transmittal that the software will not be 17–0C with attached Policy compromised if the torpedo is not Justification. recovered after the exercise firing. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Dated: January 11, 2018. Possession of MK 54 Torpedoes and Aaron Siegel, associated equipment should not lead to Office of the Secretary Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison any vulnerability disclosures. [Transmittal No. 17–0C] Officer, Department of Defense. 5. If a technologically advanced Arms Sales Notification BILLING CODE 5001–06–P adversary were to obtain knowledge of the specific hardware and software AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation elements, the information could be used Agency, Department of Defense. ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 Jan 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM 17JAN1


Document Created: 2018-10-26 09:55:01
Document Modified: 2018-10-26 09:55:01
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionArms sales notice.
ContactPamela Young, (703) 697-9107, [email protected] or Kathy Valadez, (703) 697-9217, [email protected]; DSCA/DSA-RAN.
FR Citation83 FR 2433 
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