[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28981-28983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12138]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal Nos. 15-31]


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 15-31 with attached transmittal, policy 
justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: May 14, 2015.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[[Page 28982]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN20MY15.002

Transmittal No. 15-31
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 Norway
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *...............................    $320 million
Other...................................................    $ 25 million
                                                         ---------------
  TOTAL.................................................    $345 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase: Up to 200 AIM-9X Block II 
Sidewinder Tactical Missiles, 2 AIM-9X Special Air Training Missiles 
(NATMs), 40 CATM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), 10 
AIM-9X Block II Tactical Guidance Units, and 20 AIM-9X Block II CATM 
Guidance Units, containers, support and test equipment, spare and 
repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications 
and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor logistics 
and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics 
and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (AHV)
    (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: 12 May 15

[[Page 28983]]

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

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Norway AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles

    The Government of Norway has requested a possible sale of up to 200 
AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Tactical Missiles, 2 AIM-9X Special Air 
Training Missiles (NATMs), 40 CATM-9X Block II Captive Air Training 
Missiles (CATMs), 10 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Guidance Units, and 20 
AIM-9X Block II CATM Guidance Units, containers, support and test 
equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training 
equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government 
and contractor logistics and technical support services, and other 
related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost 
is $345 million.
    This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and 
national security of the United States by helping to improve the 
security of a NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, and 
important force for political stability throughout the world.
    Norway requires these capabilities for mutual defense, regional 
security, force modernization, and U.S. and NATO interoperability. This 
sale will enhance the Royal Norwegian Air Force's ability to defend 
Norway against future threats and contribute to current and future NATO 
operations. Although this is a new capability, Norway will have no 
difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Company 
in Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in 
connection with this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of 
additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Government 
of Norway.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 15-31
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 AIM-9X (Block II) Sidewinder Missile represents a 
substantial increase in missile acquisition and kinematics performance 
over the AIM-9M and replaces the AIM-9X (Block I) Missile 
configuration. The missile includes a high off-boresight seeker, 
enhanced countermeasure rejection capability, low drag/high angle of 
attack airframe, and the ability to integrate the Helmet Mounted Cueing 
System. The software algorithms are the most sensitive portion of the 
AIM-9X missile. A Software Improvement Program (SIP) provides for 
Software updates. No software source code or algorithms will be 
released. The missile is classified as Confidential.
    2. The AIM-9X (Block II) will result in the transfer of sensitive 
technology and information. The equipment, hardware, and documentation 
are classified Confidential. The software and operational performance 
are classified Secret. The seeker/guidance control section and the 
target detector are Confidential and contain sensitive state-of-the-art 
technology. Manuals and technical documentation that are necessary or 
support operational use and organizational management are classified up 
to Secret. Performance and operating logic of the counter-
countermeasures circuits are classified Secret. The hardware, software, 
and data identified are classified to protect vulnerabilities, design 
and performance parameters, and similar critical information.
    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 
advanced capabilities.
    4. A determination has been made that the recipient country 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 Norway.

[FR Doc. 2015-12138 Filed 5-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P