[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 140 (Thursday, July 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43662-43664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18398]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal Nos. 11-15]


36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text 
of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to 
fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated 
July 21, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. B. English, DSCA/DBO/CFM, (703) 
601-3740.
    The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Transmittals 11-15 with attached transmittal, policy 
justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: July 15, 2011.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[[Page 43663]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN21JY11.003

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Transmittal No. 11-15
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: India

(ii) Total Estimated Value:

 
 
 
    Major Defense Equipment *                                $38 million
  Other                                                      $48 million
                                                           -------------
    TOTAL                                                    $86 million
 
* as defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services 
under Consideration for Purchase: 32 MK-54 All-Up-Round Lightweight 
Torpedoes, 3 recoverable exercise torpedoes, 1 training shape, 
containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, 
publications and technical documentation, personnel training and 
training equipment, transportation, U.S. Government and contractor 
representatives' technical assistance, engineering and logistics 
support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

(iv) Military Department: Navy (AAR)

(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:

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

India--MK-54 Lightweight Torpedoes

    The Government of India has requested a possible sale of 32 MK-54 
All-Up-Round Lightweight Torpedoes, 3 recoverable exercise torpedoes, 1 
training shape, containers, spare and repair parts, support and test 
equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training 
and training equipment, transportation, U.S. Government and contractor 
representatives' technical assistance,

[[Page 43664]]

engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements 
of logistics support. The estimated cost is $86 million.
    This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and 
national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the 
U.S.-India strategic relationship and to improve the security of a key 
important partner which continues to be an important force for 
political stability, peace, and economic progress in South Asia.
    India intends to use the torpedoes on its Indian Navy P-8I Neptune 
maritime patrol aircraft, which will provide enhanced capabilities in 
effective defense of critical sea lines of communication.
    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 in St. Louis, 
Missouri, and a yet to be identified U.S. torpedo contractor. Details 
of a potential offset agreement in connection with the proposed sale 
are not known as of the date of this transmittal.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government 
and contractor representative in-country visits on a temporary basis 
for technical reviews, support, and oversight.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 11-15
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 
36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (U)
Annex
Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
    1. The MK-54 is a conventional torpedo that can be launched from 
surface ships, helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft. The MK-54 is an 
upgrade to the MK-46 torpedo. The upgrade to MK-54 entails replacement 
of the torpedo's sonar and 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 
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 acoustic countermeasures that may be deployed 
by threat submarines.
    2. The assembled MK-54 torpedo and several of its individual 
components are classified Confidential. The MK-54 operational software 
is classified Secret as is any hardware upon which the software has 
been installed.
    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 which might reduce weapon system 
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or 
advanced capabilities.
[FR Doc. 2011-18398 Filed 7-20-11; 8:45 am]
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