[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37087-37089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16628]



[[Page 37087]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 17-30]


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 an arms sales notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Young, (703) 697-9107, 
[email protected] or Kathy Valadez, (703) 697-9217, 
[email protected]; DSCA/DSA-RAN.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is 
published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-
164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Transmittal 17-30 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: August 2, 2017.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
Transmittal No. 17-30
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: The Government of Switzerland
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $25 million
Other....................................  $90 million
                                          ------------------------------
    Total................................  $115 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    The following defense articles and services have been requested as 
part of a Service Life Extension Program for Switzerland's F/A-18C/D 
aircraft:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Up to fifty (50) Multifunctional 
Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) 
with Concurrent Multi-Net 4 (CMN-4) Capability
    Non-MDE includes: Fifty (50) ARC-210 GEN 5 RT-1900A(C) radios w/
Second Generation Anti-Jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN) 
frequency hopping; twenty (20) Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System 
(JHMCS) Night Vision Cueing Display (NVCD); CIT Automated Dependence 
Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out; software enhancements to the APG-73 
radar; improvements to the F/A-18 Software Configuration Set (SCS) 29C; 
and sustainment for the ALQ-165 Airborne Self Protection Jammer (ASPJ) 
system. Operational support for these modifications will be provided 
through upgrades to the purchaser's unique Mission Data System. Also 
included are: system integration and testing; software development and 
integration; support equipment; spare and repair parts; maintenance 
personnel and pilot familiarization training; software support; 
publications and technical documents; U.S. Government and contractor 
technical assistance; and other related elements of logistics and 
program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (XX-P-LAS)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: SZ-P-LAN
    (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: July 28, 2017.
    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Government of Switzerland--F/A-18 Upgrades

    The Government of Switzerland has requested the possible sale of a 
Service Life Extension Program for its F/A-18C/D aircraft to include up 
to fifty (50) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint 
Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) with Concurrent Multi-Net 4 (CMN-4) 
capability; fifty (50) ARC-210 GEN 5 RT-1900A(C) radios w/Second 
Generation Anti-Jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN) frequency 
hopping; twenty (20) Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) Night 
Vision Cueing Display (NVCD); CIT Automated Dependence Surveillance-
Broadcast (ADS-B) Out; software enhancements to the APG-73 radar; 
improvements to the F/A-18 Software Configuration Set (SCS) 29C; and 
sustainment for the ALQ-165 Airborne Self Protection Jammer (ASPJ) 
system. Operational support for these modifications will be provided 
through upgrades to the purchaser's unique Mission Data System. Also 
included are: System integration and testing; software development and 
integration; support equipment; spare and repair parts; maintenance 
personnel and pilot familiarization training; software support; 
publications and technical documents; U.S. Government and contractor 
technical assistance; and other related elements of logistics and 
program support. The estimated total case value is $115 million.
    This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and 
national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve 
the security of Switzerland which has been, and continues to be an 
important force for political stability and economic progress in 
Europe. Switzerland is also a member of the NATO Partnership for Peace 
(PfP) program.
    The proposed sale will allow the Swiss Air Force to extend the 
useful life of its F/A-18 fighter aircraft and enhance their 
survivability. Further, the proposed sale will increase Switzerland's 
tactical aviation operational capabilities. Switzerland will have no 
difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractors will be the Boeing Company, McDonnell 
Douglas Corporation, St. Louis, MO; Data Link Solutions LLC, Wayne, NJ; 
Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, IA; Rockwell Collins ESA Vision System 
LLC, Fort Worth, TX. There are no known offset agreements associated 
with this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
assignment of any additional U.S. Government personnel or contractor 
representatives to Switzerland. However, multiple trips to Switzerland 
involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives will be 
required for technical reviews/support, and program management.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.

[[Page 37088]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08AU17.003

Transmittal No. 17-30
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 hardware and software being purchased is being used to 
upgrade Switzerland's existing F/A-18C/D Hornet aircraft. Description 
and classification of the hardware and software being purchased are 
detailed in the following paragraphs.
    a. The MIDS/JTRS with CMN-4 is a secure, scalable, modular, 
wireless, and jam-resistant digital information system currently 
providing Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN), Link-16, and J-Voice to 
airborne, ground, and maritime joint and coalition warfighting 
platforms. MIDS provides real-time and low-cost information and 
situational awareness via digital and voice, communications within the 
JTRS Enterprise. The MIDS/JTRS hardware is UNCLASSIFIED. The MIDS/JTRS 
software requires a crypto key be loaded in order to function. The 
crypto key required for operation is a Controlled Cryptographic Item 
(CCI).
    b. The ARC-210 GEN 5 RT-1990A(C) is a digital radio capable of 
transmit and receipt of Digital Communication System, Variable Message 
Format (DCS/VMF) encrypted data messages. The RT-1990 hardware is 
UNCLASSIFIED. The RT 1900 software requires a crypto key be loaded in 
order to function. The crypto key required for operation is a 
Controlled Cryptographic Item (CCI).
    c. The AN/AVS-11 Night Vision Cueing Device (NVCD) is UNCLASSIFIED 
but is capable of high resolution imaging. This capability allows 
reduced visibility weapon delivery using Switzerland's F/A-18C/D 
aircraft. While the NVCD hardware is UNCLASSIFIED, this item requires 
Enhanced End Use Monitoring (EEUM).
    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 which might reduce weapons systems 
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or 
advanced capabilities.
    3. A determination has been made that the Government of Switzerland 
can provide substantially the same degree of

[[Page 37089]]

protection for the sensitive technology being released as the U.S. 
Government. This proposed sale is necessary to the furtherance of the 
U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the 
policy justification.
    4. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal are 
authorized for release and export to the Government of Switzerland.

[FR Doc. 2017-16628 Filed 8-7-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P