[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 165 (Thursday, November 17, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6455-S6458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

  Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control 
Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain 
proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, 
the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be 
reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the 
notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
  In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant 
information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to 
have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. 
If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is 
available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations 
Committee, room SD-423.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                  Defense Security


                                           Cooperation Agency,

                                                    Arlington, VA.
     Hon. Bob Corker,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements 
     of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
     amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-58, 
     concerning the Department of the Air Force's and Navy's 
     proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government 
     of Qatar for defense articles and services estimated to cost 
     $21.1 billion. After this letter is delivered to your office, 
     we plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this 
     proposed sale.
           Sincerely,
                                                       J.W. Rixey,
                                      Vice Admiral, USN, Director.
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 16-58

     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 Qatar.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment* $11.5 billion.
       Other $ 9.6 billion.
       Total $21.1 billion.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Seventy-two (72) F-15QA Aircraft.
       One hundred and forty-four (144) F-110-GE-129 Aircraft 
     Engines.
       Eighty (80)Advanced Display Core Processor II (ADCP II).
       Eighty (80) Digital Electronic Warfare Suites (DEWS).
       Eighty (80) M61A ``Vulcan'' Gun Systems.
       Eighty (80) Link-16 Systems.
       One hundred and sixty (160) Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing 
     Systems (JHMCS).
       Three hundred and twelve (312) LAU-128 Missile Launchers.
       Eighty (80) AN/APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned 
     Array (AESA) Radars.
       One hundred and sixty (160) Embedded GPS/Inertial 
     Navigation Systems (INS) (EGI).
       Eighty (80) AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN Navigation Pods w/Containers.
       Eighty (80) AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Advanced Targeting Pods w/
     containers (MDE Determination Pending).
       Eighty (80) AN/AAS-42 Infrared Search and Track Systems 
     (IRST) (MDE Determination Pending).
       Two hundred (200) AIM-9X Sidewinder Missiles.
       Seventy (70) AIM-9X Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM).
       Eight (8) AIM-9X Special Training Missiles.
       Twenty (20) CATM AIM-9X Missile Guidance Units.
       Twenty (20) AIM-9X Tactical Guidance Kits.
       Two hundred and fifty (250) AIM-120C7 Advanced Medium Range 
     Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
       Five (5) AIM-120C7 Spare Guidance Kits.
       One hundred (100) AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles 
     (HARM).
       Forty (40) AGM-88 HARM CATMs.
       Two hundred (200) AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW).
       Eighty (80) AGM-84L-1 Standoff Strike Anti-Ship Missiles 
     (Harpoon).
       Ten (10) Harpoon Exercise Missiles.
       Two hundred (200) AGM-65H/K (Maverick) Missiles.
       Five hundred (500) GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions 
     (JDAM) Guidance Kits.
       Five hundred (500) GBU-31 (VI) JDAM Guidance Kits.
       Two hundred and fifty (250) GBU-54 Laser JDAM Guidance 
     Kits.
       Two hundred and fifty (250) GBU-56 Laser JDAM Guidance 
     Kits.
       Five hundred (500) BLU-111B Bombs.
       Five hundred (500) BLU-117B Bombs.
       Six (6) MK-82 Inert Bombs.
       One thousand (1,000) FMU-152 Joint Programmable Fuses.
       Non-MDE include:
       ACMI (P5) Training Pods, Reece Pods (DB-110), Conformal 
     Fuel Tanks (CFTs), Identification Friend/Foe (1FF) system, 
     AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles (NVG), ARC-210 UHF/UVF radios, 
     LAU-118(v)1/A, LAU-117-AV2A, associated ground support, 
     training materials, mission critical resources and 
     maintenance support equipment, the procurement for various 
     weapon support and test equipment spares, technical 
     publications, personnel training, simulators, and other 
     training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor 
     engineering, technical and logistics support services; and 
     other related elements of logistical and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Air Force (X7-D-SAC and X7-D-YAB) 
     and Navy (QA-P-AAB).
       (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: Nov 17, 2016.
       *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

 Government of Qatar--F-150A Aircraft with Weapons and Related Support

       The Government of Qatar requested to purchase seventy-two 
     (72) F-15QA multi-role fighter aircraft and associated 
     weapons package; the provision for continental United States 
     based Lead-in-Fighter-Training for the F-15QA; associated 
     ground support;, training materials; mission critical 
     resources and maintenance support equipment; the procurement 
     for various weapon support and test equipment spares; 
     technical publications; personnel training; simulators and 
     other training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor 
     engineering; technical and logistics support services; and 
     other related elements of logistical and program support. The 
     estimated total program value is $21.1 billion.
       This proposed sale enhances the foreign policy and national 
     security of the United State by helping to improve the 
     security of a friendly country and strengthening our 
     strategically important relationship. Qatar is an important 
     force for political stability and economic progress in the 
     Persian Gulf region. Our mutual defense interests anchor our 
     relationship and the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) plays a 
     predominant role in Qatar's defense.
       The proposed sale improves Qatar's capability to meet 
     current and future enemy air-to-air and air-to-ground 
     threats. Qatar will use the capability as a deterrent to 
     regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. 
     Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into 
     its armed forces.
       The proposed sale of this aircraft, equipment, training, 
     and support services will not alter the basic military 
     balance in the region.
       The prime contractor will be Boeing Corporation of Chicago, 
     IL. The Purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset 
     agreement will be defined in negotiations between the 
     purchaser and the contractor. Additional contractors include:
       Astronautics Corporation of America, Arlington VA.
       BAE Systems, Arlington, VA.
       Elbit Systems of America, Fort Worth, TX.
       General Electric Aviation of Cincinnati, OH.
       Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, AZ.
       Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, TX.
       L3 Communications, Arlington, TX.
       NA VCOM, Torrance, CA Raytheon, Waltham, MA.
       Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, IA.
       Teledyne Electronic Safety Products, Thousand Oaks, CA.
       UTC Aerospace Systems, Charlotte, NC.
       Implementation of this sale requires the assignment of 
     approximately 24 additional U.S. Government and approximately 
     150 contractor representatives to Qatar.
       There is no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
     result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 16-58

     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 involves the release of sensitive technology 
     to Qatar. The F-15QA weapons system is classified up to 
     SECRET.

[[Page S6456]]

     The F-15QA aircraft uses the F-15E airframe and features 
     advanced avionics and other technologically sensitive 
     systems. The F-15QA contains the General Electric F-110-GE-
     129; an AN/APG-82(V)l Active Electronically Scanned Array 
     (AESA) radar; internal and external electronic warfare and 
     self-protection equipment; identification, friend or foe 
     (IFF) system; operational flight program; and software 
     computer programs.
       2. Sensitive and classified (up to SECRET) elements of the 
     proposed F-15QA include hardware, accessories, components, 
     and associated software: AESA radar, Digital Electronic 
     Warfare Suite (DEWS), Missile Warning System (MWS), Non-
     Cooperative Threat Recognition (NCTR), Advanced Display Core 
     Processor (ADCP) II, the AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER targeting system, 
     Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), Infrared Search 
     and Track system (IRST), APX-114/119 1FF, Link-16 Datalink 
     Terminals, ARC-210 UHF/VHF, DB-110, EGI, AN/AVS-9 Night 
     Vision Goggles (NVG), and associated air-to-air and air-to-
     ground weapons. Additional sensitive areas include operating 
     manuals and maintenance technical orders containing 
     performance information, operating and test procedures, and 
     other information related to support operations and repair. 
     The hardware, software, and data identified are classified to 
     protect vulnerabilities, design and performance parameters 
     and other similar critical information.
       3. The AN/APG-82(V) 1 is an AESA radar upgrade for the F-
     15. It includes higher processor power, higher transmission 
     power, more sensitive receiver electronics, and synthetic 
     aperture radar, which creates higher-resolution ground maps 
     from a greater distance than existing mechanically scanned 
     array radars. The upgrade features an increase in detection 
     range of air targets, increases in processing speed and 
     memory, as well as significant improvements in all modes. The 
     highest classification of the radar is SECRET.
       4. DEWS provides passive radar warning, wide spectrum radio 
     frequency jamming, and control and management of the entire 
     electronic warfare (EW) system. It is an internally mounted 
     suite. The commercially developed system software and 
     hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. The system is classified SECRET 
     when loaded with a U.S. derived EW database.
       5. The AAR-57(v)2 uses electro-optical sensors to warn the 
     aircrew of threatening missile launch and approach which is 
     integrated within DEWS. This system detects and performs data 
     hand-off so countermeasures can be automatically dispensed. 
     The system, hardware components and software, are classified 
     up to SECRET.
       6. The ADCP II is the F-15 aircraft central computer. It 
     serves as the hub for all aircraft subsystems and avionics 
     data transfer. The hardware and software are classified 
     SECRET.
       7. The SNIPER (AN/AAQ-33) targeting system is UNCLASSIFIED 
     and contains technology representing the latest state-of-the-
     art in electro-optical clarity and haze and low light 
     targeting capability. Information on performance and inherent 
     vulnerabilities is classified SECRET. Software (object code) 
     is classified CONFIDENTIAL. Overall system classification is 
     SECRET.
       8. The LANTIRN (AN/AAQ-13) is a navigation pod and provides 
     high-speed penetration and precision attack assistance in all 
     flying conditions. The pod uses a terrain-following radar and 
     a fixed infrared sensor to display an image of the terrain in 
     front of the aircraft on a heads-up display. System 
     components, countermeasures and vulnerabilities are 
     classified up to SECRET. Overall system classification is 
     SECRET.
       9. The AN/AAS-42 1RST system is a long-wave, high 
     resolution, passive, infrared sensor system that searches and 
     detects heat sources within its field of regard. The AN/AAS-
     42 is classified CONFIDENTIAL, components and subsystems 
     range from UNCLASSIFIED to CONFIDENTIAL, and technical data 
     and other documentation are classified up to SECRET.
       10. A combined transponder interrogator system is 
     UNCLASSIFIED unless Mode IV or V operational evaluator 
     parameters, which are SECRET, are loaded into the equipment.
       11. An advanced Link-I6 command, control, communications, 
     and intelligence (C3I) system incorporating high-capacity, 
     jam-resistant, digital communication links is used for 
     exchange of near real-time tactical information, including 
     both data and voice, among air, ground, and sea elements. The 
     terminal hardware, publications, performance specifications, 
     operational capability, parameters, vulnerabilities to 
     countermeasures, and software documentation are classified 
     CONFIDENTIAL. The classified information to be provided 
     consists of that which is necessary for the operation, 
     maintenance, and repair (through intermediate level) of the 
     data link terminal, installed systems, and related software.
       12. JHMCS is a modified HGU-55/P helmet that incorporates a 
     visor-projected Heads- Up Display to cue weapons and aircraft 
     sensors to air and ground targets. This system projects 
     visual targeting and aircraft performance information on the 
     back of the helmet's visor, enabling the pilot to monitor 
     this information without interrupting his field of view 
     through the cockpit canopy. This provides improvement for 
     close combat targeting and engagement. Hardware is 
     UNCLASSIFIED.
       13. The AN/AVS-9 NVG is a 3rd generation aviation NVG 
     offering higher resolution, high gain, and photo response to 
     near infrared. Hardware is UNCLASSIFIED, and technical data 
     and documentation to be provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
       14. The ARC-210 UHF/VHF secure radios with HAVE QUICK II is 
     a voice communications radio system that can operate in 
     either normal, secure, or jam-resistant modes. It can employ 
     cryptographic technology that is classified SECRET. 
     Classified elements include operating characteristics, 
     parameters, technical data, and keying material.
       15. The DB-110 is a tactical airborne reconnaissance 
     system. This capability permits reconnaissance missions to be 
     conducted from very short range to long range by day or 
     night. It is an under-the-weather, podded system that 
     produces high resolution, dual-band electro-optical and 
     infrared imagery. The DB-110 system is UNCLASSIFIED.
       16. Embedded GPS INS (EGI) is a navigation platform that 
     combines an inertial sensor assembly with a fixed reception 
     pattern antenna (FRPA) GPS receiver and a common Kalman 
     filter. The EGI system is the primary source for position 
     information. The EGI is UNCLASSIFIED. The GPS crypto variable 
     keys needed for highest GPS accuracy are classified up to 
     SECRET.
       17. Software, hardware, and other data and information, 
     which is classified or sensitive, is reviewed prior to 
     release to protect system vulnerabilities, design data, and 
     performance parameters. Some end-item hardware, software, and 
     other data identified above are classified at the 
     CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET level. Potential compromise of these 
     systems is controlled through management of the basic 
     software programs of highly sensitive systems and software-
     controlled weapon systems on a case-by-case basis.
       18. The following munitions are part of the F-15QA 
     configuration:
       19. AIM-9X Sidewinder missile is an air-to-air guided 
     missile that employs a passive infrared target acquisition 
     system that features digital technology and micro-miniature 
     solid-state electronics. The AIM-9X tactical and captive air 
     training missile (CATM) guidance units are subsets of the 
     overall missile. The AIM-9X is overall classified 
     CONFIDENTIAL; major components and subsystems range from 
     UNCLASSIFIED to CONFIDENTIAL. However, technical data and 
     other documentation are classified up to SECRET.
       20. The AIM-9X is launched from the aircraft using a LAU-
     128 guided missile launcher. The LAU-128 provides mechanical 
     and electrical interface between missile and aircraft. The 
     LAU-128 system is UNCLASSIFIED.
       21. AIM-120C7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile 
     (AMRAAM) is a guided missile featuring digital technology and 
     micro-miniature solid-state electronics. AMRAAM capabilities 
     include look-down/shoot-down, multiple launches against 
     multiple targets, resistance to electronic countermeasures, 
     and interception of high- and low-flying and maneuvering 
     targets. The AMRAAM is classified CONFIDENTIAL; major 
     components and subsystems range from UNCLASSIFIED to 
     CONFIDENTIAL. However, technical data and other documentation 
     are classified up to SECRET.
       22. The AIM-120C7 is launched from the aircraft using a 
     LAU-128 guided missile launcher. The LAU-128 provides the 
     mechanical and electrical interface between missile and 
     aircraft. The LAU-128 system is UNCLASSIFIED.
       23. Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is an air-to-ground 
     weapon with a guidance tail kit that converts unguided free-
     fall bombs into accurate, adverse weather ``smart'' 
     munitions. With the addition of a laser guidance nose kit, 
     the JDAM provides a capability to engage moving targets. The 
     GPS-only guided JDAMs are GBU-38/31 (500 and 2000lbs 
     respectively) and the Laser/OPS guided JDAMs are GBU-54/56 
     for the 500 and 2000lbs variants. The JDAM in UNCLASSIFIED; 
     technical data for JDAM is classified up to SECRET. Overall 
     system classification is SECRET.
       24. JDAMs use the Global Positioning System (GPS) Precise 
     Positioning System (PPS), which provides for a more accurate 
     capability than the commercial version of GPS. Countries 
     approved for GPS PPS will be provided Group Unique Variable 
     (GUV) keys or unique country keys.
       25. The AGM-154 is a family of low-cost standoff weapons 
     that are modular in design and incorporate either a sub-
     munition or a unitary warhead. Potential targets for Joint 
     Standoff Weapon (JSOW) range from soft targets, such as troop 
     concentration, to hardened point targets like bunkers. AGM-
     154C is used by the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, and 
     allows aircraft to attack well-defended targets in day, 
     night, and adverse weather conditions. AGM-154C is a 
     penetrator weapon that carries a BROACH warhead and pay load.
       26. AGM-154 uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) 
     Precise Positioning System (PPS), which provides for a more 
     accurate capability than the commercial version of CPS.
       27. The AGM-84L-1 Harpoon is a non-nuclear tactical weapon 
     system currently in service in the U.S. Navy and in 28 other 
     foreign nations. It provides a day, night, and adverse 
     weather, standoff air-to-surface capability. Harpoon Block II 
     is an effective Anti-Surface Warfare missile.
       28. AGM-84L-1 uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) 
     Precise Positioning System (PPS), which provides for a more 
     accurate capability than the commercial version of GPS. The 
     following Harpoon components

[[Page S6457]]

     being conveyed by the proposed sale that are considered 
     sensitive and are classified CONFIDENTIAL include: IIR 
     seeker, INS, OPP software and, missile operational 
     characteristics and performance data. The overall system 
     classification is SECRET.
       29. The AGM-65H/K Maverick is an air-to-ground close air 
     support missile with a lock on before launch day or night 
     capability. The H model uses an optical device guidance 
     system that has the capability to penetrate haze and provides 
     high contrast and longer range target identification. The K 
     model uses the same guidance with a heavyweight penetrator 
     warhead. Maverick hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. The SECRET 
     aspects of the Maverick system are tactics, information 
     revealing its vulnerability to countermeasures, and counter-
     countermeasures. Manuals and technical documents that are 
     necessary for operational use and organizational maintenance 
     are classified CONFIDENTIAL. Performance and countermeasure 
     design are SECRET. Overall system classification is SECRET.
       30. The AGM-65 is launched from the aircraft using a LAU-
     117 guided missile launcher. The LAU-117 provides the 
     mechanical and electrical interface between missile and 
     aircraft. The LAU-117 system is UNCLASSIFIED.
       31. The AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) 
     weapon system is an air-to-ground missile intended to 
     suppress or destroy land or sea-based radar emitters 
     associated with enemy air defenses and provides tactical air 
     forces with a kinetic countermeasure to enemy radar-directed, 
     surface-to-air missiles, and air defense artillery weapons 
     systems. Destruction or suppression of enemy radars denies 
     the enemy the use of air defense systems and therefore 
     improving the survivability of our tactical aircraft. General 
     capabilities, performance characteristics and support 
     requirements are classified up to CONFIDENTIAL. The overall 
     system classification is SECRET.
       32. The AGM-88 is launched from the aircraft using a LAU-
     118 guided missile launcher. The LAU-118v I/A provides the 
     mechanical and electrical interface between missile and 
     aircraft. The LAU-118 system is UNCLASSIFIED.
       33. M61A1 20mm Vulcan Cannon: The 20mm Vulcan cannon is a 
     six barreled automatic cannon chambered with 20x120mm 
     ammunition with a cyclic rate of fire from 2,500-6,000 shots 
     per minute. This weapon is a hydraulically powered air-cooled 
     gatlin gun used to damage/destroy aerial targets, suppress/
     incapacitate personnel targets and damage or destroy moving 
     and stationary light materiel targets. The M61A1 and its 
     components are UNCLASSIFIED.
       34. Qatar is both willing and able to protect United States 
     classified military information. Qatari physical and document 
     security standards are equivalent to U.S. standards. Qatar 
     demonstrated its willingness and capability to protect 
     sensitive military technology and information released to its 
     military in the past. Qatar is firmly committed to its 
     relationship with the United States and to its promise to 
     protect classified information and prevent its transfer to a 
     third party. This sale is needed in furtherance of USG 
     foreign policy and national security interests by helping to 
     improve the security of a vital partner in the CENTCOM AOR.
       35. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain 
     knowledge of the specific hardware or software source code 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 systems with 
     similar or advance capabilities. The benefits to be derived 
     from this sale in the furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy 
     and national security objectives, as outlined in the Policy 
     Justification, outweigh the potential damage that could 
     result if the sensitive technology were revealed to 
     unauthorized persons.
       36. All defense articles and services listed in this 
     transmittal are authorized for release and export to the 
     Government of Qatar.
                                  ____

                                                  Defense Security


                                           Cooperation Agency,

                                                    Arlington, VA.
     Hon. Bob Corker,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements 
     of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
     amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-21, 
     concerning the Department of the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of 
     Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for defense 
     articles and services estimated to cost $10.1 billion. After 
     this letter is delivered to your office, we plan to issue a 
     news release to notify the public of this proposed sale.
           Sincerely,
                                                       J.W. Rixey,
                                      Vice Admiral, USN, Director.
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 16-21

     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 Kuwait
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment* $ 6.3 billion.
       Other $ 3.8 billion.
       TOTAL $10.1 billion.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Thirty-two (32) F/A-18E aircraft, with F414-GE-400 engines.
       Eight (8) F/A-18F aircraft, with F414-GE-400 engines.
       Eight (8) spare F414-GE-400 engines and Twenty-four (24) 
     engine modules.
       Forty-one (41) AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned 
     Array (AESA) Radars.
       Forty-four (44) M61A2 20mm Gun Systems.
       Forty-five (45) AN/ALR-67(V)3 Radar Warning Receivers.
       Two hundred and forty (240) LAU-127E/A Guided Missile 
     Launchers.
       Forty-five (45) AN/ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures 
     Dispenser Systems.
       Twelve (12) AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Advanced Targeting Pods.
       Forty-eight (48) Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems 
     (JHMCS).
       Forty-five (45) AN/ALQ-214 Radio Frequency Counter-Measures 
     Systems.
       Forty-five (45) AN/ALE-55 Towed Decoys.
       Forty-eight (48) Link-16 Systems.
       Eight (8) Conformal Fuel Tanks.
       Fourteen (14) AN/ASQ-228 AT/FLIR Systems.
       Non-MDE includes: ARC-210 radio (aircraft), Identification 
     Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles 
     (NVG), Launchers (LAU-115D/A, LAU-116B/A, LAU-1/18A), Command 
     Launch Computer (CLC) for Air to Ground Missile 88 (AGM-88), 
     ANAV/MAGR GPS Navigation, Joint Mission Planning System 
     (JMPS), aircraft spares, Aircraft Armament Equipment (AAE), 
     support equipment, aircrew/maintenance training, contractor 
     engineering technical service, logistics technical services, 
     engineering technical services, other technical assistance, 
     contractor logistics support, flight test services, storage 
     and preservation, aircraft ferry, Repair of Repairable (RoR), 
     support systems and associated logistics, training aides and 
     devices, spares, technical data Engineering Change Proposals, 
     avionics software support, software, technical publications, 
     engineering and program support, U.S. Government and 
     contractor engineering, technical and logistic support 
     services.
       (iv) Military Department: Navy (KU-P-SBG).
       (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 Annex 
     Attached.
       (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: November 17, 
     2016.
       *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

 The Government of Kuwait--F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Aircraft with Support

       The Government of Kuwait has requested to purchase thirty-
     two (32) F/A-18E aircraft, with F414-GE-400 engines; eight 
     (8) F/A-18F aircraft, with F414-GE-400 engines; eight (8) 
     spare F414-GE-400 engines and twenty-four (24) engine 
     modules; forty-one (41) AN/APG-79 Active Electronically 
     Scanned Array (AESA) Radars; forty-four (44) M61 A2 20mm Gun 
     Systems; forty-five (45) AN/ALR-67(V)3 Radar Warning 
     Receivers; two hundred and forty (240) LAU-127E/A Guided 
     Missile Launchers; forty-five (45) AN/ALE-47 Airborne 
     Countermeasures Dispenser Systems; twelve (12) AN/AAQ-33 
     SNIPER Advanced Targeting Pods; forty-eight (48) Joint Helmet 
     Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS); forty-five (45) AN/ALQ-214 
     Radio Frequency Counter-Measures Systems; forty-five (45) AN/
     ALE-55 Towed Decoys; forty-eight (48) Link-16 Systems; eight 
     (8) Conformal Fuel Tanks; and fourteen (14) AN/ASQ-228 All-
     LIR Systems. Also included in the sale are ARC-210 radio 
     (aircraft); Identification Friend or Foe (1FF) systems; AN/
     AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles (NVG); Launchers (LAU-115D/A, LAU-
     116B/A, LAU-1 18A); Command Launch Computer (CLC) for Air to 
     Ground Missile 88 (AGM-88); ANAV/MAGR GPS Navigation; Joint 
     Mission Planning System (JMPS); aircraft spares; Aircraft 
     Armament Equipment (AAE); support equipment; aircrew/
     maintenance training; contractor engineering technical 
     service; logistics technical services; engineering technical 
     services; other technical assistance; contractor logistics 
     support; flight test services; storage and preservation; 
     aircraft ferry; Repair of Repairable (RoR); support systems 
     and associated logistics; training aides and devices; spares; 
     technical data Engineering Change Proposals; avionics 
     software support; software; technical publications; 
     engineering and program support; U.S. Government and 
     contractor engineering; technical and logistic support 
     services. The estimated total program cost is $10.1 billion.
       This proposed 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 that has been, 
     and continues to be, an important force for political and 
     economic progress in the Middle East. Kuwait is a strategic 
     partner in maintaining stability in the region. The 
     acquisition of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft will allow 
     for greater interoperability with U.S. forces, providing 
     benefits for training and possible future coalition 
     operations in support of shared regional security objectives.
       The proposed sale of the F/A- 18E/F Super Hornet aircraft 
     will improve Kuwait's capability to meet current and future 
     warfare threats. Kuwait will use the enhanced capability to 
     strengthen its homeland defense.

[[Page S6458]]

     The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft will supplement and 
     eventually replace the Kuwait Air Force's aging fighter 
     aircraft. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this 
     aircraft into its armed forces.
       The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not 
     alter the basic military balance in the region.
       The prime contractors will be The Boeing Company, St. 
     Louis, Missouri; Northrop Grumman in Los Angeles, California; 
     Raytheon Company in El Segundo, California; and General 
     Electric in Lynn, Massachusetts. Offsets agreements 
     associated with this proposed sale are expected; however, 
     specific agreements are undetermined and will be defined 
     during negotiations between the purchaser and contractor. 
     Kuwait requires contractors to satisfy an offset obligation 
     equal to 35 percent of the main contract purchase price for 
     any sale of defense articles in excess of three million 
     Kuwait Dinar, (approximately $10 million USD).
       Implementation of this proposed sale will require the 
     assignment of contractor representatives to Kuwait on an 
     intermittent basis over the life of the case to support 
     delivery of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft and provide 
     support and equipment familiarization.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 16-21

     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 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a single and two-seat, 
     twin-engine, multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft that can 
     operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases. The F/A-
     18 fills a variety of roles: air superiority, fighter escort, 
     suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward 
     air control, close and deep air support, and day and night 
     strike missions. The F/A-18E/F Weapons System is classified 
     SECRET.
       2. The AN/APO-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) 
     Radar System is classified SECRET. The radar provides the F/
     A-18 aircraft with all-weather, multi-mission capability for 
     performing air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting and attack. 
     Air-to-air modes provide the capability for all-aspect target 
     detection, long-range search and track, automatic target 
     acquisition, and tracking of multiple targets. Air-to-surface 
     attack modes provide high-resolution ground mapping 
     navigation, weapon delivery, and sensor cueing. The system 
     component hardware (Antenna, Transmitter, Radar Data 
     Processor, and Power Supply) is UNCLASSIFIED. The Receiver-
     Exciter hardware is CONFIDENTIAL. The radar Operational 
     Flight Program (OFP) is classified SECRET. Documentation 
     provided with the AN/APO-79 radar set is classified SECRET.
       3. The AN/ALR-67(V)3 Electric Warfare Countermeasures 
     Receiving Set is classified CONFIDENTIAL. The AN/ALR-67(V)3 
     provides the F/A-18F aircrew with radar threat warnings by 
     detecting and evaluating friendly and hostile radar frequency 
     threat emitters and providing identification and status 
     information about the emitters to on-board Electronic Warfare 
     (EW) equipment and the aircrew. The OFP and User Data Files 
     (UDF) used in the AN/ALR-67(V)3 are classified SECRET. Those 
     software programs contain threat parametric data used to 
     identify and establish priority of detected radar emitters.
       4. The AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System is 
     classified SECRET. The AN/ALE-47 is a threat-adaptive 
     dispensing system that dispenses chaff, flares, and 
     expendable jammers for self-protection against airborne and 
     ground-based Radio Frequency and Infrared threats. The AN/
     ALE-47 Programmer is classified CONFIDENTIAL. The OPP and 
     Mission Data Files used in the AN/ALE-47 are classified 
     SECRET. Those software programs contain algorithms used to 
     calculate the best defense against specific threats.
       5. The AN/ALQ-214 is an advanced air-borne Integrated 
     Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) programmable 
     modular automated system capable of intercepting, 
     identifying, processing received radar signals (pulsed and 
     continuous) and applying an optimum countermeasures technique 
     in the direction of the radar signal, thereby improving 
     individual aircraft probability of survival from a variety of 
     surface-to-air and air-to-air RF threats. The ALQ-214 was 
     designed to operate in a high-density Electromagnetic Hostile 
     Environment with the ability to identify and counter a wide 
     variety of multiple threats, including those with Doppler 
     characteristics. Hardware within the AN/ALQ-214 is classified 
     CONFIDENTIAL.
       6. The Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Combined 
     Interrogator/Transponder (CIT) with the Conformal Antenna 
     System (CAS) is classified SECRET. The CDT is a complete 
     MARK-XIIA identification system compatible with (IFF) Modes 
     1, 2, 3/A, C4 and 5 (secure).
       7. The Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a 
     modified HGU-55/P helmet that incorporates a visor-projected 
     Heads-Up Display (HUD) to cue weapons and aircraft sensors to 
     air and ground targets. In close combat, a pilot must 
     currently align the aircraft to shoot at a target. JHMCS 
     allows the pilot to simply look at a target to shoot Hardware 
     is UNCLASSIFIED; technical data and documents are classified 
     up to SECRET.
       8. The AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Pod is a multi-sensor, electro-
     optical targeting pod incorporating infrared, low-light 
     television camera, laser range-finder/target designator, and 
     laser spot tracker. It is used to provide navigation and 
     targeting for military aircraft in adverse weather and using 
     precision-guided weapons such as laser-guided bombs. It 
     offers much greater target resolution and imagery accuracy 
     than previous systems. The AN/AAQ-33 is UNCLASSIFIED.
       9. The Joint Mission Planning System (IMPS) is SECRET. JMPS 
     will provide mission planning capability for support of 
     military aviation operations. The JMPS will be tailored to 
     the specific releasable configuration for the F/A-18 Super 
     Hornet.
       10. The AN/AVS-9 NVG is a 3rd generation aviation NVG 
     offering higher resolution, high gain, and photo response to 
     near infrared. Hardware is UNCLASSIFIED, and technical data 
     and documentation to be provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
       11. The AN/ALE-55 towed decoy improves aircraft 
     survivability by providing an enhanced, coordinated onboard/
     off-board countermeasure response to enemy threats. When 
     threat libraries are installed, the AN/ALE-55 is classified 
     SECRET.
       12. Link-16 is a secure data and voice communication 
     network. The system provides enhanced situational 
     communication awareness, positive identification of 
     participants within the network, secure fighter-to-fighter 
     connectivity, and secure voice capability. It can be 
     classified up to CONFIDENTIAL.
       13. The LAU-127E/A Guided Missile Launchers is designed to 
     enable F/A-18 aircraft to carry and launch missiles. It 
     provides the electrical and mechanical interface between the 
     missile and launch aircraft as well as the two-way data 
     transfer between missile and cockpit controls and displays to 
     support preflight orientation and control circuits to prepare 
     and launch the missile. The LAU-127E/A is UNCLASSIFIED.
       14. ANAV Global Positioning System (GPS) is a 24-channel 
     Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) based 
     pulse-per-second GPS receiver built for next generation GPS 
     technology.
       15. Command Launch Computer (CLC) is an electronics 
     subsystem installed on the airframe to interface with the 
     AGM-88 NBIC HARM Missile. The CLC and associated software 
     package are compatible with all AGM-88 A/B/C missiles. The 
     CLC receives target data from the missile and onboard 
     avionics, processes the data for display to the Screw to the 
     appropriate display, determines target priority, and collects 
     aircraft data for pre-launch hand- off to the AGM-88 HARM 
     missile.
       16. The AN/ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking 
     Infrared (ATFLIR) is a multi-sensor, electro-optical 
     targeting pod incorporating thermographic camera, low-light 
     television camera, target laser rangefinder/laser designator, 
     and laser spot tracker developed and manufactured by 
     Raytheon. It is used to provide navigation and targeting for 
     military aircraft in adverse weather and using precision-
     guided munitions such as laser-guided bombs.
       17. A determination has been made that the Government of 
     Kuwait, can provide substantially the same degree of 
     protection for the classified and sensitive technology being 
     released as the U.S. Government.
       18. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. 
     foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in 
     the Policy Justification.
       19. All defense articles and services listed in this 
     transmittal have been authorized for release and export to 
     the Government of Kuwait.

                          ____________________