[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 236 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88666-88668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29392]



[[Page 88666]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 16-43]


36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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/SA&E/RAN, (703) 697-
9107.
    The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Transmittal 16-43 with attached Policy Justification 
and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: December 2, 2016.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08DE16.000


[[Page 88667]]



Transmittal No. 16-43

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: Republic of Korea.
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment*................   $ 41 million.
Other...................................   $100 million.
                                         -------------------------------
  TOTAL.................................  $141 million.
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of the 
Republic of Korea has requested the sale and installation of AN/AAQ-
24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems on up to 
four (4) A-330 Multi-Role Tanker and Transport (MRTT) aircraft. Each 
LAIRCM system consists of three (3) Guardian Laser Terminal Assemblies 
(GLTA), six (6) Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors AN/
AAR-54, one (1) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR), one (1) 
Control Indicator Unit Replacement (CIUR), one (1) Smart Card Assembly 
(SCA), one (1) High Capacity Card (HHC), and a User Data Memory (UDM) 
card.
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    Twenty-six (26) GLTA AN/AAQ-24(V) (12 + 14 spares)
    Twelve (12) LSPR AN/AAQ-24(V) (4 + 8 spares)
    Fifty-four (54) UVMWS Sensors AN/AAR-54 (24 + 30 spares)
    Non-MDE include:
    CIURs, SCAs, HHCs, UDM cards, initial spares and repair parts, 
consumables, support equipment, technical data, engineering change 
proposals, minor modifications, publications, Field Service 
Representatives' (FSRs), repair and return, depot maintenance, training 
and training equipment, contractor technical and logistics personnel 
services, U.S. Government and contractor representative support, Group 
A and B installation support, flight test and certification, selective 
availability anti-spoofing module (SAASM) Global Positioning System, 
and other related elements of logistics support.
    (iv) Military Department: Air Force
    (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 16, 2016
    * as defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Republic of Korea--Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) 
System

    The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has requested the 
sale and installation of AN/AAQ- 24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared 
Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems for up to four (4) A-330 Multi-Role 
Tanker and Transport (MRTT) aircraft. Each LAIRCM system consists of 
the following major defense equipment (MDE): three (3) Guardian Laser 
Terminal Assemblies (GLTA), six (6) Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System 
(UVMWS) Sensors AN/AAR-54, one (1) LAIRCM System Processor Replacement 
(LSPR), one (l) Control Indicator Unit Replacement (CIUR), one (1) 
Smart Card Assembly (SCA), one (1) High Capacity Card (HCC), and User 
Data Memory (UDM) card. The sale includes spares bringing the MDE total 
to twenty-six (26) GLTAs, twelve (12) LSPRs, and fifty-four (54) UVMWS 
Sensors AN/AAR-54.
    The sale also includes the following non-MDE items: CIURs, SCAs, 
HHCs, UDM Cards, initial spares and repair parts, consumables, support 
equipment, technical data, engineering change proposals, minor 
modifications, publications, Field Service Representatives' (FSRs), 
repair and return, depot maintenance, training and training equipment, 
contractor technical and logistics personnel services, U.S. Government 
and contractor representative support, Group A and B installation 
support, flight test and certification, selective availability anti-
spoofing module (SAASM) Global Positioning System, and other related 
elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $141 million.
    The ROK is procuring the LAIRCM system to defend and protect its 
future aerial refueling and troop transport capabilities. This helps 
the ROK Air Force become more capable of sustaining and projecting air 
power across large distances and transporting its forces and fighter 
aircraft for both operational and training missions with less reliance 
on foreign partners, such as the United States. The ROK will have no 
difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
    This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national 
security of the United States. The ROK is one of the major political 
and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key 
partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that 
region. It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist our Korean 
ally in developing and maintain a strong and ready self-defense 
capability. This sale increases the ROK's capability to participate in 
Pacific regional security operations and improves its national security 
posture as a key U.S. ally.
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not affect the 
basic military balance in the region.
    This sale includes provisions for one (1) FSR to live in Korea for 
up to two years. Implementation of this proposed sale requires multiple 
temporary trips to Korea involving U.S. Government or contractor 
representatives over a period of up to six (6) years for program 
execution, delivery, technical support, and training.
    The principal contractor is Northrop Grumman Corporation, Rolling 
Meadows, IL. At this time, there are no known offset agreements 
proposed in connection with this potential sale.
    There is no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of 
this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 16-43
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 AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures 
(LAIRCM) is a self contained, directed energy countermeasures system 
designed to protect aircraft from infrared guided surface-to-air 
missiles. The system features digital technology and micro-miniature 
solid state electronics. The system operates in all conditions, 
detecting incoming missiles and jamming infrared-seeker equipped 
missiles with aimed bursts of laser energy. The LAIRCM system consists 
of multiple Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors AN/AAR-
54, Guardian Laser Turret Assembly (GLTA), LAIRCM System Processor 
Replacement (LSPR), Control Indicator Unit Replacement (CIUR), and a 
classified High Capacity Card (HCC), and User Data Memory (UDM) card. 
The HCC is loaded into the CIUR prior to flight. When the classified 
HCC is not in use, it is removed from the CIUR and placed in onboard 
secure storage. LAIRCM Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) hardware is 
classified SECRET when the HCC is inserted into the CIUR. LAIRCM system 
software, including Operational Flight Program is classified SECRET. 
Technical data and documentation to be provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
    a. The set of UVMWS Sensor units (AN/AAR-54) are mounted on the 
aircraft exterior to provide omni-

[[Page 88668]]

directional protection. The UVMWS detects the rocket plume of missiles 
and sends appropriate data signals to the LSPR for processing. The LSPR 
analyzes the data from each UVMWS Sensor and automatically deploys the 
appropriate countermeasure via the GLTA. The CIUR displays the incoming 
threat.
    b. The AN/AAR-54 UVMWS Sensor warns of threat missile approach by 
detecting radiation associated with the rocket motor. The AN/AAR-54 is 
a small, lightweight, passive, electro-optic, threat warning device 
used to detect surface-to-air missiles fired at helicopters and low-
flying fixed-wing aircraft and automatically provide countermeasures, 
as well as audio and visual warning messages to the aircrew. The basic 
system consists of multiple UVMWS Sensor units, three (3) GLTAs, a 
LSPR, and a CIUR. The set of UVMWS units (each A-330 MRTT has six (6)) 
are mounted on the aircraft exterior to provide omni-directional 
protection. Hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. Software is SECRET. Technical 
data and documentation to be provided are UNCLASSIFIED.
    2. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge 
of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could 
be used to develop countermeasures or equivalent systems which might 
reduce system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system 
with similar or advanced capabilities.
    3. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy 
and national security objectives outlined in the Policy justification. 
Moreover, the benefits to be derived from this sale, as outlined in the 
Policy Justification, outweigh the potential damage that could result 
if the sensitive technology were revealed to unauthorized persons.
    4. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal are 
authorized for release and export to the Government of the Republic of 
Korea.

[FR Doc. 2016-29392 Filed 12-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P