[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 228 (Monday, November 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85542-85546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28493]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 16-58]


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: Pam Young, DSCA/SE&E-RAN, (703) 697-
9107.
    The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Transmittal 16-58 with attached Policy Justification 
and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: November 22, 2016.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28NO16.006

BILLING CODE 5001-06-C
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.
 
* 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:
    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/

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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 (V1) 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-11lB 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 (IFF) 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: November 17, 2016.


Policy Justification

Government of Qatar--F-15QA 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
NAVCOM, 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)(l) 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. 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 IFF, 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

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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 IRST 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-16 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

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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 is 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 GPS.
    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-l 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 
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 l/A provides the mechanical and 
electrical interface between missile and aircraft. The LAU-118 system 
is UNCLASSIFIED.
    33. M61Al 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 M61Al 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.

[FR Doc. 2016-28493 Filed 11-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P