[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27932-27934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11723]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 15-22]


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 15-22 with attached transmittal, and 
policy justification.

    Dated: May 11, 2015.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[[Page 27933]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN15MY15.000

Transmittal No. 15-22
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: Australia
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $0.00 billion
Sustainment..............................  $1.50 billion
                                          ------------------------------
  Total..................................  $1.50 billion
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase: follow-on sustainment 
support and services for twenty four (24) AF/A-18Fs Super Hornet and 
twelve (12) AEA-18G Growler aircraft. The sustainment efforts will 
include software and hardware updates, Engineering Change Proposals, 
System Configuration upgrades, system integration and testing, engine 
component improvement, tools and test equipment, spare and repair 
parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, 
personnel training and training equipment, aircrew trainer devices 
upgrades, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and 
other related elements of logistics and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (GQF)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any:

FMS case SAF-$2.2B-02May07
FMS case GQY-$358M-6May11
FMS case LEN-$992M-13Sep12
FMS case SCI-$1.3B-04Jul13
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None

[[Page 27934]]

    (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or 
Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: None
    (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: 28 April 2015

    * as defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Australia--F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler Aircraft 
Sustainment

    The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of 
follow-on sustainment support and services for twenty four (24) AF/A-
18Fs Super Hornet and twelve (12) AEA-18G Growler aircraft. The 
sustainment efforts will include software and hardware updates, 
Engineering Change Proposals, System Configuration upgrades, system 
integration and testing, engine component improvement, tools and test 
equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and 
technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, 
aircrew trainer devices upgrades, U.S. Government and contractor 
technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics and 
program support. The estimated cost is $1.5 billion.
    This sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national 
security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a 
major contributor to political stability, security, and economic 
development in Southeast Asia and around the world. Australia is an 
important ally and partner that contributes significantly to coalition, 
peacekeeping, and humanitarian operations around the world. It is vital 
to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and 
maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed 
sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing 
with a key ally.
    The proposed sale of follow-on sustainment support and services 
will enable the Royal Australian Air Force to ensure the reliability 
and performance of its F/A-18 fleet. The follow-on support will allow 
Australia to maintain aircraft availability/operational rates, and 
enhance interoperability with the U.S. and other nations.
    The proposed sale of this additional support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractor will be The Boeing Company in St. Louis, 
Missouri. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection 
with this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale may require continued 
assignment of U.S. Government and contractor representatives to 
Australia.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.

[FR Doc. 2015-11723 Filed 5-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P