Notice2024-10603
Arms Sales Notification
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 15, 2024
Issuing agencies
Defense Department
Abstract
The DoD is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales notification.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 95 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42457-42459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10603]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Transmittal No. 22-23]
Arms Sales Notification
AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense
(DoD).
ACTION: Arms sales notice.
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SUMMARY: The DoD is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales
notification.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Hedlund at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ae4efe3e6a4eda4e2efeee6ffe4eea4e9e3fccae7ebe3e6a4e7e3e6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6d8d3dfda98d198ded3d2dac3d8d298d5dfc0f6dbd7dfda98dbdfda">[email protected]</span></a> or (703) 697-9214.
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 22-23 with
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.
Dated: May 9, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[[Page 42458]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN15MY24.002
Transmittal No. 22-23
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 *................ $40 million
Other.................................... $ 2 million
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Total................................ $42 million
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
One hundred six (106) Multifunctional Information Distribution
System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (5) Terminals
Fifteen (15) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint
Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (6) Terminals
Seven (7) Multifunctional Information Distribution System MIDS-Low
Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) (4) Block Upgrade Two (BU2) Retrofit Kits
Non-MDE:
Also included are Low Volume Terminal (LVT) Cryptographic Modules
(LCM).
(iv) Military Department: Navy (AT-P-LGM)
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-P-LFT
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be
Paid: None
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or
[[Page 42459]]
Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached Annex
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: April 19, 2022
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Australia--Defense Articles Related to Multifunctional Information
Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems
The Government of Australia has requested to buy one hundred six
(106) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical
Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (5) terminals; fifteen (15) MIDS JTRS (6)
terminals; and seven (7) Multifunctional Information Distribution
System MIDS-Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) (4) Block Upgrade Two (BU2)
retrofit kits. Also included are Low Volume Terminal (LVT)
Cryptographic Modules (LCM). The estimated total value is $42 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national
security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most
important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this
political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring
peace and economic stability in the region. 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 capability to
interoperate with U.S. forces and exchange secure, jam-resistant
tactical data via Link 16. Australia will use the enhanced capability
as a deterrent to regional threats and strengthen its homeland defense.
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 contractors will be Viasat, Carlsbad, CA; and Data
Link Solutions, Cedar Rapids, IA. There are no known offset agreements
proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of the proposed sale may require U.S. Government and
contractor personnel to visit Australia on a temporary basis in
conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements,
including program and technical reviews.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 22-23
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 AN/USQ-140 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-
Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) is a secure, jam-resistant communication
and positioning system that employs a defined waveform in the 960-1215
megahertz (MHz) Ultra High Frequency (UHF) range for packet message
communication and 16 Kilobit digital voice and packet message
communication. MIDS provides interoperability with NATO and coalition
users, significantly increasing force command and control (C2)
effectiveness. The Tactical Digital Information Link-J (TADIL-J) series
message standard is employed by the system as defined in NATO
Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 5516 and U.S. Military Standard
(MIL-STD) 6016. The embedded hardware features provide communications
security. The AN/USQ-190 Multifunctional Information Distribution
System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) builds on MIDS-LVT's
capabilities with the addition of Concurrent Multi-Netting (CMN) and
Concurrent Contention Receive (CCR) functions. CMN and CCR dramatically
expand the number of platforms and network-enabled systems that can be
reliably included in a Link 16 network. These enhancements allow a
single MIDS JTRS terminal to simultaneously receive messages on up to
four nets, compared with on a single net in terminals without CMN and
CCR, within a single Link 16 time slot, allowing a user to ``hear''
messages from up to three additional sources at once. Tactical
Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) is built into some MIDS JTRS
terminals that adds an additional advanced capability waveform.
2. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.
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 that might reduce weapon 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 the Government of
Australia.
[FR Doc. 2024-10603 Filed 5-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P
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